Sometimes, the simplest things going wrong can be the most frustrating. One example is when you investigate digitisation services and pack up all of your tapes. Then you send them in, and uh oh, one or more of your tapes are blank. If you’re wondering how we know how annoying this scenario is, we’ll just say that we have some… experience with that question – are my tapes blank?
Blank video tapes can be a real problem when it comes to digitisation services.
They can be frustrating and a waste of time, especially if you send them in for digitisation without realising they are blank.
This article will give you some tips and tricks to identify whether your tape is blank or not before sending it in for digitisation.
Where’s the Film?
One way to check whether your tape is blank or not is to look at the film inside of the cassette. When a tape is new or fully rewound, all the tape will be on the left side.
When you play a tape, the film moves from the left side to the right side. This means that if there’s film on the right side, it probably has content on it.
If you always rewind your tapes, this trick won’t work, but if you don’t, there’s a decent chance that this tip might save you some time.
Is it Still Unwrapped?
If your tape is still in its original wrapping with a perfectly crisp cardboard sleeve, there’s a 100% chance that it’s empty. I can say that with confidence because the only way you could buy blank tapes was if they were blank. If you never opened it, it would remain blank. If it’s wrapped, keep it back.
Is My Tape Blank? – Play it in the VCR!
If those first two time savers aren’t working, you might have to put your tape in the VCR. First, you’ll have to figure out if you even own a VCR. Then, you’ll have to figure out whether your VCR can even hook up to your TV. Lastly, you’ll need to pop the tapes into the machine and see what’s up.
The good news is that, typically, footage will start right away, so you won’t have to fast-forward or spend a long time watching a bunch of static.
Why Check Your Tapes Before Sending Them In?
We understand that getting a notification from us that says your tape was blank can be a recipe for disappointment. We’d want you to be happy and satisfied with our service. This starts with checking your tapes before you send them in.
Taking a few moments to check your tapes can save you time, money, and frustration in the long run.
In Conclusion
Blank tapes can be a real pain when it comes to digitisation services. To avoid this issue, there are some simple ways to check if your tapes are blank or not. Checking your tapes before sending them in for digitisation can save you time, money, and disappointment. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can avoid the frustration of blank tapes. You can ensure that your memories are preserved.
In addition to the three methods mentioned earlier, there are a few other tricks you can try if you think your tape may be blank. You can try to listen for any sound on the tape by holding it up to your ear while it’s playing in the VCR. Even if there isn’t any visible footage, you may be able to hear something on the audio track.
Another method involves shining a flashlight onto the tape while it’s playing in the VCR. If there’s footage on the tape, you may be able to see it through the light. However, this method is not always reliable, and it may not work for all types of tapes.
If none of these methods work..
If you’re still not sure whether your tape is blank or not, it’s best to consult with a professional digitisation service. They have the experience and equipment to accurately determine whether a tape contains footage or not.
Sometimes too, you should be prepared for the possibility that the film is damaged and you’ll perhaps need to repair video tape too.
In conclusion, it’s always a good idea to check your tapes before sending them off for digitisation. By doing so, you can avoid the frustration of receiving a notification that your tape was blank or needs a a video tape repair service and ensure that your memories are preserved for years to come.
It’s always best to use a professional company to undertake such transfers and a good one like Supaphoto.com won’t charge you for blank tapes anyway.. They would typically have a great set of easy to read faqs too.
