Business · Engadget
Before looking at how to store them, it's important to understand how cassette tapes work
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Inside are two reels, like mini movie reels, connected by a thin strip of magnetic tape and covered by a shell.
Key facts
- Store them in a cool and dry place, with a temperature at 59 to 73°F and 25-55 percent humidity
- The general belief is about 30 years, but this is based on ideal storage conditions
- Under improper conditions, the lifespan of a cassette tape can drop from 30 years down to as few as five
- But with the right storage and care, cassettes could theoretically last up to 100 years, preserving fond memories to hand down for generations
Summary
If you grew up in the 1980s, chances are you had a collection of cassette tapes. The general belief is about 30 years, but this is based on ideal storage conditions. It's not a bad idea to digitize your cassettes using a digitization service or by connecting a player to your computer and recording to digital files using a service like Audacity. before they do deteriorate to preserve those custom playlists and memories. Before looking at how to store them, it's important to understand how cassette tapes work. As long as the cassette tape remains in good order, it will play. You should also avoid exposure to sunlight, moisture, dust and dust mites, critters and magnetic fields.