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After how many uses do vhs tapes wear out?

I heard that vhs tapes wear out after 10-25 years. Does it matter the number of times it is used or is it only the years it starts to degrade?

15 Answers

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  • 2 months ago

    The technology isn't old enough to know for sure. I'm still playing VHS tapes from the MGM movie studios I bought in the 1990's. They still work fine and look good on the 60" TV format, if stored properly.

  • 2 months ago

    VHS tapes don't last forever, and many are quickly wearing away, Good Housekeeping reports. Technology that uses magnetic strips isn't very durable, since the tape loses magnetism over time.

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  • ?
    Lv 6
    2 months ago

    VHS tapes don't last forever, and many are quickly wearing away, Good Housekeeping reports. Technology that uses magnetic strips isn't very durable, since the tape loses magnetism over time. So most tapes are expected to wear out after 15-20 years, NPR reports

  • keerok
    Lv 7
    2 months ago

    From where I am, you don't even need to wait that long or even for it to wear out. For some reason, the high humidity encourages fungal growth on those tapes wrecking havoc not only to the tape but to the VHS players themselves.

  • 2 months ago

    My father is very old and somewhat senile now, I think, because he keeps playing the same VHS over and over every day.

    one tape he has from 1989 has been played every day for the last 3 years that I know of. The signal is starting to get weak as the picture is getting a bit snowy but the sound is really good. I'm actually amazed that this tape whet thru 3 different players in its life too.

    A good studio recording on VHS on a good black oxide tape lasts the longest. You can tell which ones are black oxide by looking at the tape, if its brown, its not. The brown, or red oxide tape only lasts about 15 to 20 years. The black oxide I think can go for about 35 years under the right conditions. Storage methods and protection from electromagnetic fields is important for maximum longevity.

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  • garry
    Lv 6
    2 months ago

    they wear out after 10 uses , of no more than 10 years , the surface isnt to resilient as dvd's .

  • 2 months ago

    It depends on the quality of the tape stock,  

    the conditions under which it is stored,  

    the machine(s) used for playback, 

    and a few other factors.    

                   

    I completely wore one good-quality VHS tape out 

    by using it 5 days a week for a year. 

    Didn't do the VCR a lot of good that way, either. 

                   

            

  • 2 months ago

    The number of times viewed will also reduce the useful life.

    Fast Times at Ridgemont High on VHS always seemed to have additional wear precisely at the Phoebe Cates pool fatansy scene.

    Not sure why that was...

  • Anonymous
    2 months ago

    🥴

    Id say about 50 or less. 

    Depends on how well you keep them. Cant be too hot or humid in your house. They ruin faster.

  • ?
    Lv 4
    2 months ago

    I imagine when it is used it adds to the wear of the tape also.

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