Do videotapes really fade?
Yes, this is a very real problem. First and foremost, any magnetic medium is subject to being accidently erased either in a VCR or just by being subjected to a strong magnetic field. If you store your tapes too close to a strong magnet (such as the one in your stereo speakers), in time the magnetic signal on the tape will weaken. Beyond this, magnetic signals can weaken on their own over time without any exposure to strong magnetic fields. This is because magnetism is all around us, and it is easily disruptable. More common problems arise when tapes are stored in moist environments (such as a basement), are not fully rewound, or stored without their cardboard or plastic sleeves. This can degrade the tape inside and render it unplayable. Unfortunately, we sometimes have to tell customers that their tapes cannot be transferred due to mold damage, which makes the tape very brittle and can cause it to fall apart — literally. The DVD format is non-magnetic, so this is a much-preferred opti
