I got an Elgato capture card and a VCR off of EBay and have already digitized three tapes I’ve found at garage sales.

Any advice for cleaning up the image and audio? I recall there were VCR cleaners but never was confident of their efficacy.

  • thouartfrugal@lemmy.world
    5·
    4 months ago

    The spinny thing is the head drum. The divots are electromagnetic heads, usually four for video in a HiFi deck. Be careful when cleaning them as they are fragile. Avoid using any kind of material that may snag in their narrow gap. I like to use a strip of white paper wetted with isopropanol, holding it against the drum and turning it with the other hand. Repeat that till the paper comes away clean.

    • Varyk@sh.itjust.works
      2·
      4 months ago

      Oh this is great advice.

      I also recommend softly holding whatever moistened but not dripping medium you’re using up to the cleaner head divot line and spinning the head itself with your other hand.