I made a home video about 5 years ago using a digital camera. It was then transferred onto VHS. It has been left unwatched for a year or two and I think it has gotten damp or something - I put it in the video machine and there was just gray and black fuzz when I played it. When I looked through the clear plastic window I could see this white stuff on the magnetic tape. Is this mold or something?
Now when I try to play a different cassette in the machine it just plays grey/black fuzz. I also tried the home video in a different machine and exactly the same thing happened. Now both machines show fuzz when any video is played in them. I've used a head cleaner on them and they still do not work. Have I destroyed my video machines with this tape? Will this tape ever be watchable? Don`t panic ! You have not destroyed the VCRs The heads are dirty ! now I know that you have used a head cleaner on them but as any VCR Tech will tell you cleaning tapes only work 5% of the time ! what has to be done is that the heads need to be cleaned manually using chamois preferably or something like good cotton that does not catch and alcohol ! Anyway if in doubt let a Tech do it as it is easy to damage the heads if not done correctly.
Now the tape ! Unless it is a very valuable tape throw it in the bin, or you can take it to video tape library where they have a tape cleaning machine , mind you I don`t know where to find hire tapes anymore , all DVDs . Whatever you do though do not put that tape in any more machines until it has been proffesionaly cleaned . That is mold that connects to the magnetic structure of the VHS Tapes. It will never play. As for the VCRs they could be broken permanently but you can get them fixed but its cheaper to buy a new one then to get it fixed. I suggest you buy a Dazzel from Bust Buy and transfer your VHS to DVD because all VHS Tapes will go bad eventually because of the rubbing on the surface of the tape whereas a DVD uses a laser and does not damage the DVD. | 