What do I do with these old tapes? at DVinfo.net

William Smyth · November 13th, 2010, 11:53 AM

Been cleaning house recently and I have a ton of old tapes. Beta, 3/4", VHS, etc.. I hate the idea of just tossing them in the trash (and adding to the landfill). Anyone have good ideas on what to do with them? Thanks.

Kevin McRoberts · November 17th, 2010, 12:53 PM

eBay, Craigslist, or FreeCycle

Burn them for heat this winter

Use the tape to set snares for rabbits and squirrels and such

Performance art

Give them as a gift to somebody who won't feel bad throwing them in the landfill

Bob Hart · November 17th, 2010, 10:04 PM

Before you burn them or send them to the Taliban for destruction, check the labels to see if you happen to have any old BBC programs on them.

I understand that a few years ago, somebody at BBC accidentally erased some of the vera tapes of "Dad's Army" while spooling them in routine maintenance.

It was a popular old TV series and BBC was apparently then trying to find home recordings that might have been made.

Andrew Smith · November 17th, 2010, 11:23 PM

Over-sized dominoes for children to play with?

Andrew

Nick DeMao · November 25th, 2010, 12:25 PM

Saw someone who propped their AC up with their old VHS tapes

Brian Drysdale · November 26th, 2010, 04:34 AM

[QUOTE=Bob Hart;158917
I understand that a few years ago, somebody at BBC accidentally erased some of the vera tapes of "Dad's Army" while spooling them in routine maintenance.
.[/QUOTE]

It was less accidental in many cases and more to do with reusing the 2" Quad video tapes. Quite a few programmes were lost this way, including Dr Who episodes.

November 13th, 2010, 11:53 AM	#1
William Smyth Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida Posts: 153	What do I do with these old tapes? Been cleaning house recently and I have a ton of old tapes. Beta, 3/4", VHS, etc.. I hate the idea of just tossing them in the trash (and adding to the landfill). Anyone have good ideas on what to do with them? Thanks. __________________ www.williamsmythvisuals.com

November 17th, 2010, 12:53 PM	#2
Kevin McRoberts Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 700	eBay, Craigslist, or FreeCycle Burn them for heat this winter Use the tape to set snares for rabbits and squirrels and such Performance art Give them as a gift to somebody who won't feel bad throwing them in the landfill

November 17th, 2010, 10:04 PM	#3
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,476	Before you burn them or send them to the Taliban for destruction, check the labels to see if you happen to have any old BBC programs on them. I understand that a few years ago, somebody at BBC accidentally erased some of the vera tapes of "Dad's Army" while spooling them in routine maintenance. It was a popular old TV series and BBC was apparently then trying to find home recordings that might have been made.

November 17th, 2010, 11:23 PM	#4
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,064	Over-sized dominoes for children to play with? Andrew

November 25th, 2010, 12:25 PM	#5
Nick DeMao New Boot Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kennesaw, GA Posts: 5	Saw someone who propped their AC up with their old VHS tapes

November 26th, 2010, 04:34 AM	#6
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	[QUOTE=Bob Hart;158917 I understand that a few years ago, somebody at BBC accidentally erased some of the vera tapes of "Dad's Army" while spooling them in routine maintenance. .[/QUOTE] It was less accidental in many cases and more to do with reusing the 2" Quad video tapes. Quite a few programmes were lost this way, including Dr Who episodes.