Video cassette recorders, sometimes called camcorders, utilize video tapes to capture and record sounds and images. Like other kinds of video and audio tape, camcorder tapes sometimes break or become unusable because a key piece of the case breaks. You can repair camcorder tapes with a few simple tools and extra equipment.
Instructions
1. Inspect the tape for splits, obvious damage like cracks or pieces that have withdrawn into the case body. Shake it and listen for pieces that may be rattling around inside the case body.
2. Remove the screws around the edges or faces of the tape with a small screwdriver. Some of these may be beneath stickers. Use the screwdriver to depress any plastic tabs holding the two halves together.
3. Look for broken tape or broken pieces inside the case. If there are no broken case pieces, you can simply repair the tape. If there are broken case pieces, you'll need to replace the case.
Tape Repair
4. Move the reels with your fingers to manually unwind the tape. If the tape has split into two pieces, you'll have to unwind both reels.
5. Use your scissors or razor blade to cut out any damaged portions of the tape. You'll lose any information you have on the cut portions, but it is necessary to repair the tape.
6. Cut a piece of transparent tape about an inch in length.
7. Place the two ends of the camcorder tape so they touch or slightly overlap one another. Place the transparent tape over the two pieces and join them together.
8. Wind the camcorder tape together and replace the cover in the same manner in which you took it apart.
Case Repair
9. Take the two tape reels out of the broken cassette. Inspect the tape for damage, and if needed, repair the damage using the previously described method.
10. Use a screwdriver to unscrew the case and open the two halves. Take out the tape reels and set them aside.
11. Place the tape reels in the same position in the new case that they were in the old one. Wind the tape reels by hand to take up any slack in the tape.
12. Screw the two halves together to reassemble the case. Use the screws you took out of the new case, not the screws from the old case as some tapes use different sized screws.
Tags: tape reels, broken case, broken case pieces, camcorder tape, camcorder tapes, case body, case pieces
