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Water spilled onto JVC minidv tapes
This didn’t happen directly to me, but someone I know asked about some water damaged tapes they have. They accidentally spilled some water on some minidv tapes, so I guess the water was fairly clean and free of debris except for minerals. He asked if I had any advice for them, and all I said was that I’d look it up and that with the experience I’ve had with liquids spilled on a keyboard, which I got working again after taking the keys off and drying it for a day.
But I don’t know how water affects tape other than it not being good. Does anyone know if the tapes might be recoverable? The other thing I told him was to wait two days before trying to play them so any water inside can completely dry out.
replied 13 years, 9 months ago 5 Members · 8 Replies
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8 Replies
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Yes they are recoverable, BUT you have to wait until all
water is completely dried out, as you said waiting a couple days,
and maybe placing them in front of the fan.
playing them with water still in there, that’s the killer,
and even damaging what its played in.Steve Rhoden
(Cow Leader)
Film Editor & Compositor.
Filmex Creative Media.
1-876-832-4956 -
Set them in a bowl of uncooked rice (on top of the rice) for a few days. Be careful not to get them into the rice because you don’t want the rice dust in the tape or your player. The rice is hygroscopic and will draw the moisture out.
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Really, that one is new to me.
Steve Rhoden
(Cow Leader)
Film Editor & Compositor.
Filmex Creative Media.
1-876-832-4956 -
The rice trick is recommended for cell phone users are should work for tapes with the precautions recommended by Dan.
https://www.wikihow.com/Save-a-Wet-Cell-Phone
Even better are packages of silica gel like those commonly found in new shoes and clothing.
Place the tape and a few packages of silica gel in a sealed plastic bag.
You can buy the gel in larger quantities at outdoor equipment shops such as Cabela’s.
https://www.cabelas.com/ -
Certainly DO NOT try playing them if their is any suggestion of moisture on the tape. Doing so will cause “stiction” or suction-cupping of the tape to the spinning head drum, and then disaster. (Which is why there is a dew sensor in every tape camera to shut down the drive if moisture is detected.) The rice idea will work, but you can buy silica gel from pharmacists (drug stores) and that is cleaner. Camera shops sell similar stuff. If the tapes are really important, investing in a tape rewinder might be an idea to spool the tapes end to end a few times to make sure wound layers don’t stick to each other and pull off the coating.
Windows 7 Pro64, 16GB RAM, SSD boot drive, GTX 570 Graphics, Vegas Pro 11 and VP10 just in case
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Solid state comes to mind in these times…lol
Steve Rhoden
(Cow Leader)
Film Editor & Compositor.
Filmex Creative Media.
1-876-832-4956 -
Wow, thanks guys. I didn’t realize I got so many responses.
The tapes ended up being recoverable. If it was me shooting this show with a crew, I would have provided a hard drive and kept the video for myself, but it wasn’t me or my crew.
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ok
Steve Rhoden
(Cow Leader)
Film Editor & Compositor.
Filmex Creative Media.
1-876-832-4956
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