Tape and Cassette Repair Service
This service is only available for tapes that DVD Conversions are converting.
We do not offer cassette repair and cleaning as a standalone service.
We get a lot of tape through our doors, for the most part they are in good condition and do not require any attention prior to commencing the digital transfer process. However, every now and then we get tapes that do require work prior to digitization. We’ve worked with tape for well over 30 years and have developed techniques and equipment to repair and clean magnetic tapes.
Some of these tape formats have been around since the 1970’s and could be up to 50 years old. The sooner these tapes are converted to digital files, the better. We strongly advise getting your tapes digitised as soon as possible. Magnetic tape does not last forever, and the tapes will start to deteriorate, it’s just a matter of time.
Add to this the fact that the machines available to play these tapes are getting to the age where they are no longer serviceable. Furthermore, the people with the skills to repair and maintain these machines are also becoming few and far between.
Our overall success rate with tape recovery and repair is very high and varies according to the format and the extent of the damage.
We have successfully repaired and recovered material from magnetic tape formats such as
- VHS, VHSC and SVHS
- DVCPRO 25
- Betacam, Betacam SP
- DAT – Digital Audio Tape
- Audio Cassette
- Video 8, Hi8 and Digital 8
- Mini DV
- Umatic 3/4 inch
Tapes that have been exposed to moisture over a prolonged period of time will develop mould. The mould can work its way down in-between the tape layers and over time can cause irreparable damage.
Cassette repair, treatment and baking is then required.
All is not lost, in most instances we are able to recover most if not all of the video footage. Our cleaning methods have proven to be very effective and our success rate is well over 95%. The extent of the damage determines what footage can be recovered.
A section of VHS tape that has suffered moisture damage. The mold has penetrated between the tape layers causing them to stick together and tear when played.
Tape Splicing
In some cases the actual magnetic tape is damaged and requires splicing. We use a range of professional splicing blocks and adhesive films designed for this purpose.
Standard adhesive tape can cause damage to the tape surrounding the splice point. We use a range of specialist splicing films to ensure the splice point does not cause any issues with the video cassette players.
Tape Cleaning and Tape Baking
Custom built tape jigs assist with tape cleaning and preparation.
We use various methods to clean and prepare the tape prior to running in our machinery, one of which is tape baking. In extreme cases we bake the cassettes at constant temperature and humidity levels. The baking process removes excess moisture and prepares the tape for cleaning and transfer.
Damaged 8mm video tape
This is a typical example of a Hi8 video cassette with mold on the edges. 8mm tape is particularly difficult to deal with as it is very thin and tears very easily.
In extreme cases we manually rewind each meter of tape and in doing so remove the bulk of the mold. If the mold has been on the tapes for a prolonged period, it can get between the tape layers and cause the tape to stick together and in some cases it will tear.
We would generally bake an 8mm cassette over an extended period of time before attempting to clean it. We use a custom made 8mm tape splicing block to perform a splice point that does not cause damage to the playback deck.
Damaged audio tape
This audio cassette tape was damaged in a house fire, we removed the tape from the damaged casing and inserted it into a new casing, we managed to recover everything from this audio cassette.
Before and After
Some of our most extreme cassette repair cases include tapes damaged in the Napier floods, tapes damaged in house fires, the dog ate the tape, tapes damaged in transit and a large number of mouldy tapes.
This gallery is a small sample of some of the tapes and cassettes we’ve successfully cleaned and digitised.
Cassette cases
We also stock empty cassette casings and reels for most popular video formats.
- Tape cleaning and / or splicing – From $10 each – depending on extent of damage.
- Tape cases – $ 10 each
Tape storage
Here are some handy tape storage tips if you’re not quite ready to get your tapes digitized.
- Store in a cool dry location away from direct sunlight.
- Always rewind your tapes.
- Store upright.
- Add a pack of silica gel or other moisture absorber to keep the pack dry.
8mm film splicing and cleaning
Watch this short video we produced on 8mm film splicing or go to our film transfer page
Do you have old cine film? Go to our film conversion page for details on how we can clean and digitise small gauge film such as Super 8, Regular 8, 9.5mm pathescope and 16mm film
Contact us today to arrange the transfer of your video and audio tapes to digital files.