I was speaking to a client who mentioned she had a VHS tape of her boys growing up but when she tried to view it recently all she got was a black screen.
She confirmed that the VHS recorder played back other tapes fine.
Looking online the only hint I can get is a possible head alignment issue between the recording machine and the playback machine. My only other theory is that a VCR has inadvertantly recorded over the tape.
Has anyone else had a tape with now black video? and can the images be retrieved?
John D johnross93.freeserve.co.uk
Generally no. You need to check the tape yourself in more than one deck to make sure.
Remember that Some televisions/vcrs may default to black/blue etc when fed fizz from a blank analogue tape.
Generally no. You need to check the tape yourself in more than one deck to make sure.
I agree. Could simply be a 240 minute tape was used and content is somewhere in middle.
Tracking being 'off' usuualt still leaves some image and sound - which may be distorted as well.
Could it be a one of these dummy tapes that accommodated VHS-C tapes and required, IIRC a 9v internal battery to splay heads. If battery is duff then...
Gavin,
the black default screen for noisey video is, I hope, correct. I will see if the client will send me the tape. I have a few vcrs including one that doesn't put up a noise default colour screen.
I think it's unlikely that the client has inadvertantly tried to watch blank tape because it's a very precious tape
John D johnross93.freeserve.co.uk
I had two recent 'precious tapes'.
One was an old Betamax with a full evening of ITV. No sign of the dearly departed who was expected to be featured.
The other, a VHS, did not have the elderly ladies' son on it. Unless he had a secret sideline in American adult entertainment.
You never know.
This is why we should have stayed with super8;)
John D johnross93.freeserve.co.uk
Firstly open the tape and check if there are any cuts on the edge of the tape. Play the tape through fast and then stop at certain parts to see if there is anything on the tape.
Normally it is only black, A) she has given you the wrong tape..B) when viewing the tape the pressed record.