Overview
This has been the name given to the tendency for U-matic
videotapes to suddenly become stuck, refusing to play
any more and coming to a screeching, grinding
halt. This is often followed shortly by an Error 04 message.
It occurs when the binder (the polymer used to bind the magnetic particles to the tape and to themselves) absorbs moisture from the air, which damages its mechanical properties. It becomes stiffer as a result and surface friction increases. This can in some cases cause it to detach from the tape altogether, taking the magnetic particles and therefore the recording with it, hence the term sticky shed syndrome.
Solution and Restoration
After much research and experimentation at Plato Video we are now able to offer a solution to the sticky shed syndrome, which has worked successfully on all types of U-Matic tape.
All of the tapes we restored have played normally and there has been no damage to the picture quality. The technique we use does not involve baking the tapes, which may cause irreparable damage to their content and success rates are proven to be very low.
Our restoration technique is available for only £50 per tape. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee that the problem won't return in the future so we advise having it copied to a new format of your choice such as DVCAM.
U-Matic Tape Restoration Service – Sticky Shed Syndrome
Only £50 (ex VAT) per tape. Discounts available for additional tapes.
Once complete we do advise having the content transferred to a different format in order to avoid the risk of the problem re-occurring. Great rates are available.
Just fill in the enquiry form below and tell us how many tapes you'd like restored, the combined running time and format (if required) we should transfer to. Our quotation will then be submitted to you via a PayPal invoice for your approval. Don't worry, you won't need a PayPal account. We only use it as a safe and convenient method of payment.
Additional terms apply. Please click here for details.
