wjm@lcuxc.UUCP (04/09/85)
Frankly, I don't trust cassettes as a long-term archival storage medium, since
I've had too many of them eaten by good tape decks (my Nak 680ZX just ate a
TDK SA this past Sunday). I suspect that mechanical problems can be minimized
by proper care of the tapes, such as not leaving them in overly warm places,
like the dashboard of a car, and I remember one of the hi-fi mags recommennding
fast wind/rewind just before play to reduce static cling between tape layers.
I've had the most problems in the form of tape creasing - often if it is caught
in time, one can open up the cassette (I definitely prefer cassette shells with
screws) and undo the damage enough that the cassette can be played one last time
for a dub. Radio Shack also sells "C-0" shells, that you can use to repair
damaged cassettes. If you can, use C-60's, their thicker tape is less prone
to malfunctions than the thinner C-90's.
As for specific brands, I haven't noticed any of the quality brands having more
or less problems than any of the others. I tend to use Maxell the most, and
then TDK, so those tend to be the ones I have the most problems with, just
because I have the most Maxell and TDK tapes.
However, I make backup dubs of any critical cassette I have - maybe its my
years of computer hacking that have taught me - always make a backup!!!
Regards,
Bill Mitchell ({ihnp4!}lcuxc!wjm)
186,000 miles/sec - its not just a good idea, ITS THE LAW!