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Memory partially valid. An important part of using a head cleaning tape was to use play mode, not FF or RW. Only play (or record) modes would have the tape wr
by ssl-3 1y ago
Memory partially valid.
An important part of using a head cleaning tape was to use play mode, not FF or RW. Only play (or record) modes would have the tape wrapped around the head while FF/RW would disengage the tape completely from the head. This is done to save head wear, and to help prevent magnetizing the head.
(Except on examples like this weird, late-model Sony deck I have: On it, the tape is always engaged with the head from the time it is inserted to the time it is ejected. And the head itself is "self-cleaning.")
- Brian_K_White 1y agoThey are talking about a winder that cleans a tape, not a tape that cleans a player.
- ssl-3 1y agoI guess I see that now. I didn't have any idea that such a thing existed. Why would someone want to clean a VHS tape? It's full of data, and it's deliberately lubricated.
- Brian_K_White 1y agoThe same reason you may need to clean anything. A tape may get dirty any number of ways. It's a physical object that can get dust and dirt inside if it's ever exposed to a dirty environment. And you don't want to put a dirty tape into a player.