Tape cleaning and evaluator machines

Benefits of tape cleaning: preserve quality and prevent damage

At NextArchive we know how important it is to clean magnetic tapes before playback or digitization. According to industry standards and research tape cleaning is crucial to get the best possible transfers and to protect the tapes and playback equipment from damage.

Why clean tapes before playback?

Not cleaning tapes before play can result in:

• Poor transfers: dirt, mould and debris on tapes causes defects and signal loss during digitization
• Permanent damage: contaminants can scratch or wear down the tape surface and lose content forever
• Playback Equipment Wear: Debris can damage the delicate parts of the tape players and reduce their life.

Industry standards and expert recommendations

Leading organizations and experts agree:

• ANSI and ISO standards say clean tapes with visible dirt or debris
• NASA and BBC studies show that cleaning reduces defects and restores tapes thought to be unusable
• Dr. Edward Cuddihy and Dr. John Van Bogart recommend cleaning to improve playback and prevent dropouts.

Tape cleaning challenges

Not all facilities have the right equipment or expertise for tape cleaning:

• Different formats require different machines and cleaning methods
• Restoration requires experience and knowledge of different tape conditions.