Fascinating thread. Keep in mind that U-matic are at least, what, three or
four times the width of DAT. And, I suspect, much thicker. So the wider
bakes longer rule applies. But U-matics could also contain as little as
2:00 minutes worth of tape for mass distribution of commercial spots for
instance.

DAT is extremely thin tape and pretty wispy and easy to lose wrap once
removed from the shell. Perhaps our colleagues might share any experience
with this?

What about drilling ventilation in the old shell for baking, then
transferring to a working shell for playback.

Dave R

On Fri, Oct 30, 2020 at 12:48 PM Haudy Kazemi <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> This article says there are several different causes for the problem, and
> not all tapes are affected equally, due to manufacturing differences. It
> also says cased U-matic tapes don't bake as effectively as uncased tapes.
> I'd guess that uncased would dry best, if you can safely uncase it. If not,
> perhaps longer drying times will help.
>
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sticky-shed_syndrome
>
> I've not tried splicing videotape, only audiotape, but I assume the methods
> are similar. If the tape broke close to the beginning of the reel, you
> could add extra 'filler' tape to create new leaders. I don't know if there
> are good options for recovering content from wrinkled tape.
>
> Pyral is a French brand:
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyral
>
> Thanks,
>
> Haudy Kazemi
>
>
> On Fri, Oct 30, 2020, 14:10 Mint Records <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
>
> > Thanks Graham. Will give it a try - its currently unplayable, so don't
> > think I have much to lose.
> >
> > Best baked out of it the shell or in do you think?
> >
> > Richard
> >
> >
> > On Fri, 30 Oct 2020, 18:41 Graham Newton, <[log in to unmask]>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > On 10/30/2020 10:10 AM, Mint Records wrote:
> > >
> > > > Came across an oddity this morning. I've been transferring some DAT
> > Tapes
> > > > when all o f a sudden one snapped. It's a brand i'd never come across
> > > > before called "PYRAL". On taking aprt the shell it's clear that the
> > tape
> > > is
> > > > stuck together - The original break was a tear across rather than a
> > snap
> > > > and when i tried to loosen the tape on the reel, more started to
> tear.
> > >
> > > PYRAL is a well known French trademark... they used to make very good
> > > lacquer
> > > disc recording blanks.
> > >
> > > > It has the appearance of sticky shed, but i've never come across this
> > in
> > > a
> > > > DAT before.
> > >
> > > Very rare, indeed.... I've only come across one like the problem you
> > > describe.
> > >
> > > > Has anyone else come across this? Can the tape be baked? If so, for
> how
> > > > long.
> > >
> > > Yes, it can be baked like regular reel to reel tape, use low baking
> > > temperature
> > > (120 degrees F) and long time (48 to 72 hours), and be sure it has
> fully
> > > returned to room temperature before you try to do anything with it.
> > >
> > > You may need to bake it a second time at slightly higher temperature,
> say
> > > 125
> > > degrees F. Some cautious experimentation with it may be needed.
> > >
> > >
> > > Hope this helps!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ... Graham Newton
> > >
> > > --
> > > Audio Restoration by Graham Newton, http://www.audio-restoration.com
> > > World class professional services applied to tape or phonograph records
> > for
> > > consumers and re-releases, featuring CEDAR's CAMBRIDGE processes.
> > >
> >
>


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