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Strange issue with recorded VHS tape...
So I got a box of home recorded VHS tapes, dozens played fine, then I came across this Polaroid branded tape from what I assume to be the later 1980s (1988 episode of Cosby Show was on it to date it on the few minutes I could view) and no matter what I do, it has severe playback issues. So I would play the tape for about 2 minutes then the VCR would seize up, stop, and then automatically shut off. I tried this tape in a 2nd VCR with the same problem. I even opened up the tape shell and took out the tape reels and placed them in ANOTHER VHS shell, and that did not work either.
After trying it in a 3rd VCR it would play for only about 15 seconds this time and then totally seize up and shut off the VCR.
So is this an example of sticky shed or a need for baking or just some sort of bad storage over the years? I did notice that the original taper stopped the tape around the midpoint so it was not either at the end or beginning of the reels which is the case with 90% of the tapes I come across, if that matters preservation wise.
Is there a solution to this, or just throw it out?
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