Reel-to-Reel care?

From: Nico de Jong <nico_at_farumdata.dk>
Date: Wed Dec 10 07:23:21 2003

From: "Pete Turnbull"

> --On Wednesday, December 10, 2003 04:07:30 -0800 Brent Hilpert
> <hilpert_at_cs.ubc.ca> wrote:
>
> > On a similar note, can someone comment on the long-term prognosis of
> > 9-track tape? Is it still being manufactured or is everyone that
> > still uses it relying on new-old-stock? Is the oxide coating stable
> > if stored at the proper temp./humidity or does it turn flaky/icky
> > after a few years regardless?
>
> I've got old BASF and Memorex tapes (20 years +) that are fine, but not
> all tapes are created equal. Was it Black Watch tape that was supposed
> to be wonderful, but which people found started to shed its oxide after
> a fairly short time?
>
> It probably also depends on how they were stored.

I agree with Pete. BASF and Memorex are normally fine. However, especially
the last decennium or so, the number of tapemanufacturers was dwindling
rapidly, and it became very common to buy tapes OEM, and relabel them. 3M
also had some good tapes.

Nico
Received on Wed Dec 10 2003 - 07:23:21 GMT