[ARSCLIST] DAT libraries and issues

[seva <seva@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

i've read many threads on issues surrounding playability. the one 
looming now, for many people, are DAT tapes.

after completing a large archival transfer of hundreds of analog 
tapes, and having very little trouble (only a few needed baking, they 
were Ampex 407), i found it ironic to consider the next phase for 
most collections.  when mentioning the analog tape transfers, many 
non-professional friends immediately wondered "wow! they were 
playable?", and i mentioned that they were very much so, and that my 
worries were much more toward the digital age media.

some who got the point mentioned that their early digital video tapes 
were not playing well, and even the high-density 8mm and Hi-8 video 
tapes... i think these were evaporated metal or metal particle, not 
sure, but certainly different from Scotch 111 or 207...

i wouldn't be asking for a discussion if i'd found an archived thread 
on this, so please forgive me if i overlooked it.

are there any known methods for playing DATs which don't want to play 
even on the original recording machine?

anyone willing to mention competent DAT repair places, DAT machines 
which seem to be more tolerant, and more gentle, to the tapes?

etc.



--
w/best regards,
seva
mastering engineer
http://www.soundcurrent.com


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Things are not what they seem to be; nor are they otherwise.
  -- Lankavatara Sutra