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Does freezing harm tapes?

45.26.128.222

Posted on October 11, 2020 at 06:14:49

M3 lover
Audiophile

Posts: 6604
Location: SW Mich
Joined: May 29, 2005
Contributor
Since: July 4, 2007

Family ask me if it is safe to leave VHS tapes in their summer cottage over the winter? It will likely get down to zero, possibly colder.

So nothing like cryogenics. ;^)

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

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RE: Does freezing harm tapes?

geoffkait

13:31:52 10/26/20

M3 lover

10:56:09 10/27/20

geoffkait

13:59:05 10/27/20

...

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RE: Does freezing harm tapes?

geoffkait

13:31:52 10/26/20

M3 lover

10:56:09 10/27/20

geoffkait

13:59:05 10/27/20

rivervalley817

14:25:02 10/27/20

geoffkait

14:54:48 10/27/20

rivervalley817

15:34:36 10/27/20

geoffkait

15:50:14 10/27/20

rivervalley817

18:28:14 10/27/20

geoffkait

03:33:07 10/28/20

rivervalley817

09:35:04 10/28/20

No, but freezing tapes improves their sound. 48 hours. Nt

geoffkait

06:50:14 10/18/20

Not that I know of...

kootenay

16:01:56 10/11/20

RE: Does freezing harm tapes?

Story

06:45:15 10/11/20

RE: Does freezing harm tapes?, posted on October 11, 2020 at 06:45:15
Story Audiophile Posts: 10459 Location: NJ Joined: December 11, 2000	just keep them from any moisture accumulation and bring them up to temp slowly. That should be ok.

Not that I know of..., posted on October 11, 2020 at 16:01:56
kootenay Audiophile Posts: 8446 Location: Calgary, Alberta Joined: October 16, 2007	Some of my old cassettes were stored in my garage for over 3 years where the outside temperature can go as low as -40 sans wind-chill factor. I brought some of them inside the house and played with them and found out that there was no degradation to the sound whatsoever. Btw, I still have something like 200 of them still in the garage.

No, but freezing tapes improves their sound. 48 hours. Nt , posted on October 18, 2020 at 06:50:14
geoffkait	Nt

RE: Does freezing harm tapes?, posted on October 26, 2020 at 13:31:52
geoffkait	For home freezing CDs, LPs, cassettes, DVDs and Blu-ray: place in freezer for 48 hours. Then remove from freezer and place in refrigerator section for another 4 hours, I.e., slow thaw.

RE: freezing?, posted on October 27, 2020 at 10:56:09
M3 lover Audiophile Posts: 6604 Location: SW Mich Joined: May 29, 2005 Contributor Since: July 4, 2007	First, thanks for the answers. Family decided to simply leave the tapes in place. Now Geoff, what is the value of freezing media items as you suggest? I've read of enthusiasts who believe in cryogenics, but that involves much lower temperatures than any home freezer. "The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

RE: freezing?, posted on October 27, 2020 at 13:59:05
geoffkait	What is the value of freezing media? It is proves sound quality. I'm not saying it's the equal of cryogenic treatment but it's quite good, especially considering the convenience and cost. All thermodynamic processes are irreversible.

RE: freezing?, posted on October 27, 2020 at 14:25:02

rivervalley817

'thermodynamic processes are irreversible'

please place a cup of water in the freezer for 4 hours, remove the ice for 4 more hours, place the cup of water into a pot and bring to a boil until it evaporates as steam, then type the above again with a straight face

thank you ... and remember:

thermodynamic change states cannot be precisely restored to initial states by infinitesimal changes in some property of the system without expenditure of energy

that includes the passive evaporation waiting for the ice to melt

with regards,

RE: freezing?, posted on October 27, 2020 at 14:54:48
geoffkait	Freezing media or anything is an irreversible process in the sense that the effects are irreversible. Better? The effects are not (rpt not) Temporary. Just like effects from cryogenic treatment are irreversible and not temporary.

RE: freezing?, posted on October 27, 2020 at 15:34:36
rivervalley817	punctuation sir, you said 'All' processes ... I can read if you can write 'I'm guessing you have no experience in this sort of thing' ahem ... touche` ?

RE: freezing?, posted on October 27, 2020 at 15:50:14
geoffkait	I was trying to cut you some slack by deleting that comment. Touched a nerve, one assumes. Lol

RE: freezing?, posted on October 27, 2020 at 18:28:14
rivervalley817	all systems check OK thanks. just tweaking you a bit. yet, there are those who do take themselves way too seriously don't they ; )

RE: freezing?, posted on October 28, 2020 at 03:33:07

I think you just answered your own question.

I've been away for a while. One assumes you're the local troll here.

RE: freezing?, posted on October 28, 2020 at 09:35:04
rivervalley817	probably more than one but they would also be mistaken I enjoy your posts and wouldn't intentionally disrupt any meaningful thread thank you for your reply and following me on the AA forums be well,

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