Magnetic particles gradually lose their charge, in a process called remanence decay. There are a number of factors that cause VHS tape to degrade, a key one being that the magnetic charge needed for them to work is not permanent. The substrate and backing layers are there for dimensional stability and strength, and the backing layer also helps to reduce friction. They are usually suspended in the binder along with lubricant, the purpose of which is to seep out during playback (microscopically), to prevent damage to the binder layer. It contains magnetic particles that store the information on the tape. The binder layer comes into direct contact with the heads of the playback machine and provides the signal quality. These layers have been engineered to help the tape survive the friction and stress of repeated playing, re-winding and forwarding of the tapes. The make up of a VHS tape is dependent on how it was manufactured, but, fundamentally, they are made up of three layers: the binder, the substrate and the backing. So, just how do tapes deteriorate even when left alone in storage? And approximately how long can you expect them to remain intact? By the very nature of their components, VHS just wasn’t built to stand the test of time. Even if you take incredibly good care of them, VHS tapes will eventually deteriorate. If you’re still clinging on to a pile of old VHS tapes that you haven’t backed up, you should be aware of how long those tapes will still be useable.
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