How to delete all info from a VHS tape?

Question

How to delete all info from a VHS tape?

Answer 1

You can't - you have to write over it with your video data.

Answer 2

just throw it away!!!! dvd is in now

Answer 3

best way is to incinerate. this melts the plastic shell, and raises the oxide to the curie point to release its magnetic trace.

second best is to record another picture on top. over-writing sometimes leaves traces of the original video on the guardbands depending on the width of the recorder head, using an older or pro deck with fatter heads would be wise.  If a fat head is not available, then record over using SLP or EP mode to get maximum coverage.

using a bulk eraser or magnet is very undependable. a professional deck can usually make a viewable playback picture from a tape that has been bulk "erased".

Answer 4

You can use a degaussing coil; it’s a tool that produces an electromagnetic field that can erase the tapes.  Or use a strong permanent magnet.  Like you would find on a midrange or bass speaker.   They are very strong.   Just pass the tape across the magnet a few times and it should be erased.   You can also find Bulk Erasers if you have the money.

MAGNETIC TAPE DEGAUSSERS

By far, the best way to erase a magnetic tape is to use a separate magnetic tape degausser. There are two types of degaussers: automatic and manual.

Automatic Tape Degausser

Automatic degaussers erase magnetic tape by automatically moving the whole tape reel or cartridge slowly and steadily in and out of an intense ac magnetic field. This type of degausser erases a tape very well. Some automatic degaussers are made specifically for tape reels, and some are made for both tape reels and tape cartridges.  Picture http://www.tpub.com/neets/book23/0013.GI...

Both manual and automatic tape degaussers use the same electronic principles for erasing magnetic tape. However, the manual version is much more portable. It's small, hand-held, and much less expensive. Figure 2-8 shows a typical manual degausser.

Manual tape degausser.

Picture http://www.tpub.com/neets/book23/0014.GI...

To erase tapes with a manual degausser:

Place the tape reel or cartridge to be erased on a flat surface.

Hold the degausser very close to the magnetic tape and turn it on.

Slowly rotate the degausser in circles around the tape reel or cartridge for a few seconds.

Then slowly move it away until you're about 12 to 14 inches away from the tape reel or tape cartridge.

Turn off the degausser.

Degaussers are used by Government Agency because it is more reliably than the tape machines erase head.