Tape manufacturers: Difference between revisions

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* Time-Life Video
* Time-Life Video
* VCI Home Video
* VCI Home Video
* Vestron Video
* WCI Home Video/Warner Home Video
* WCI Home Video/Warner Home Video
* 3M
* 3M

===Known duplicators===
* Deluxe Media Entertainment
** Columbia Pictures Videocassette Services
* Technicolor Video Services
** AstralTech
** The CBS/Fox Company


===How to tell===
===How to tell===
* Tapes manufactured prior to the late 1980s would have the text "Load this way - Do not touch tape" either engraved in white, or moulded, on the tape guard. On some PAL tapes, it may have the words "Copyright Programme" instead.
* Tapes manufactured prior to the late 1980s would have the text "Load this way - Do not touch tape" either engraved in white, or moulded, on the tape guard.
* On some tapes, especially early ones, the Scotch logo is either engraved in white, or moulded, on the tape guard.
* On some tapes, especially early ones, the Scotch logo is either engraved in white, or moulded, on the tape guard.
* Mid 1980s-early 1990s tapes may have the Scotch logo engraved above the record tab.
* Mid 1980s-early 1990s tapes may have the Scotch logo engraved above the record tab.
* On Scotch VHS VCR Head Cleaner tapes, the title of the product is written in white on the tape guard.
* On Scotch VHS VCR Head Cleaner tapes, the title of the product is written in white on the tape guard.
* Some tapes would have the text "Insert this side - Do not touch tape" on the tape guard.


==Agfa-Gevaert==
==Agfa-Gevaert==
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* Time-Life Video
* Time-Life Video
* WCI Home Video
* WCI Home Video

===Known duplicators===
* Deluxe Media Entertainment
* Technicolor Video Services


===How to tell===
===How to tell===
*For Betamax, the words "Do not touch the tape inside - Insert this side into recorder" may be found on the tape guard.


==BASF==
==BASF==
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** Starmaker Entertainment
** Starmaker Entertainment
* Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (1987-2007)
* Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (1987-2007)
* Lyrick Studios (1998-2001)
* HiT Entertainment (2001-2006)
* Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (1994-2007)
* Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (1994-2007)
* Sterling Entertainment Group
* Sterling Entertainment Group
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* Warner Home Video (1987-2007)
* Warner Home Video (1987-2007)
* MGM Home Entertainment (1987-2007)
* MGM Home Entertainment (1987-2007)
* Tycoon Home Video [Mexican]
** Orion Home Video

===Known duplicators===
* Allied Digital
* Deluxe Media Entertainment
** Video Technology Services
* Mirror Image Duplication Services
* Premiere Video
* Technicolor Video Services


===How to tell===
===How to tell===
* Certain tapes may have the safety notice text on the tape guard in English and French. It would be found written as "Do not touch the video tape - Ne touchez pas la bande vidéo" or "DO NOT TOUCH THE TAPE - NE TOUCHEZ PAS LA BANDE VIDEO".
* Tapes manufactured after 2001 have "TTGNIC" moulded on the back of the cassette, usually next to the supply reel.
* Tapes manufactured after 2001 have "TTGNIC" moulded on the back of the cassette, usually next to the supply reel.
* Tapes manufactured prior to 1990 would have the safety notice on the tape guard engraved in white, while tapes manufactured after would have it moulded in a cheesier font.
* Tapes manufactured prior to 1990 would have the safety notice on the tape guard engraved in white, while tapes manufactured after would have it moulded in a cheesier font.
* Tapes are duplicated using thermal magnetic duplication, which requires chromium dioxide tape (a BASF exclusive). Many are branded under license as 3M, Agfa-Gevaert, Memorex, PDM Magnetics, Sony, and TDK, among others.


==Fujifilm==
==Fujifilm==
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** Touchstone Home Video
** Touchstone Home Video
** Walt Disney Home Video
** Walt Disney Home Video

===Known duplicators===
* Deluxe Media Entertainment
** Columbia Pictures Videocassette Services
** Video Technology Services
* Media Home Entertainment
* Technicolor Video Services
** AstralTech
** The CBS/Fox Company


===How to tell===
===How to tell===
* Tapes manufactured prior to 1990 may have the Fuji name on the tape guard.
* Tapes manufactured prior to 1990 may have the Fuji name on the tape guard.
* During the 1990s, some tapes had dark ink code information, including the day-year code:
* During the 1990s, some tapes had dark ink code information, including the day-year code.
** For example, if the code reads "8 200 91 1311", then that means that the side of the tape is labeled 8 and that the tape was manufactured on the 200th day of 1991, or July 19, 1991, at 01:11 PM.
** For example, if the code reads "8 200 91 1311", then that means that the side of the tape is labeled 8 and that the tape was manufactured on the 200th day of 1991, or July 19, 1991, at 01:11 PM.
<gallery>
File:Entertaining_Angels_(2000_Paulist_Press).jpg
</gallery>


==JVC==
==JVC==
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* Magnetic Video Corporation
* Magnetic Video Corporation
* Media Home Entertainment
* Media Home Entertainment

===Known duplicators===
* Deluxe Media Entertainment
* Media Home Entertainment
* Technicolor Video Services
** The CBS/Fox Company

===How to tell===
===How to tell===
* Very early tapes would have the text, "DON'T TOUCH TAPE INSIDE - KEEP CLOSED", written on the top of the tape guard.
* Very early tapes would have the text, "DON'T TOUCH TAPE INSIDE - KEEP CLOSED", written on the top of the tape guard.
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===Customers===
===Customers===
* Congress Video
* Congress Video
* Paramount Home Video

===Known duplicators===
* Deluxe Media Entertainment


===How to tell===
===How to tell===
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===Customers===
===Customers===
* Active Home Video
* Active Home Video
* Roadshow Home Video [Australian]
* Video Gems

===Known duplicators===
* Roadshow Home Video [Australian]
* Roadshow Home Video [Australian]
* Video Gems
* Video Gems
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* Time-Life Video
* Time-Life Video
* VCI Home Video
* VCI Home Video
* Vestron Video
* Buena Vista Home Video
* Buena Vista Home Video
** Walt Disney Home Video
** Walt Disney Home Video
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**** Troy Gold (1987-1989)
**** Troy Gold (1987-1989)
** Starmaker Entertainment
** Starmaker Entertainment

===Known duplicators===
* Allied Digital
* Deluxe Media Entertainment
** Republic Pictures Home Video
* Full Perspective Video Services
* Technicolor Video Services
** The CBS/Fox Company


===How to tell===
===How to tell===
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** Allied Artists Video
** Allied Artists Video
* Sony Music Entertainment (1991-2003)
* Sony Music Entertainment (1991-2003)
* ADV Films

===Known duplicators===
* Deluxe Media Entertainment
* Full Perspective Video Services
* MediaCopy, Inc.
* Scenewise, Inc.
* Technicolor Video Services


===How to tell===
===How to tell===
* Many 1979-1998 tapes have one of four distinct shell designs, the most memorable being one with the top and bottom of the front having squares of horizontal bevels going across the surface. Since 1983, many such tapes have a white release button instead of the standard black release button. Some tapes duplicated by RVSA/Deluxe since the '90s alternatively have a green release button.
* Some 1987-1998 tapes have “Made in U.S.A.” or "MADE IN U.S.A." moulded on the back right of the cassette.
* Some 1987-1998 tapes have “Made in U.S.A.” or "MADE IN U.S.A." moulded on the back right of the cassette.
* Some 1987-2003 tapes have dark ink code information, including the day-year code.
* Some 1987-2003 tapes have dark ink code information, including the day-year code.
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File:Dark Ink Label (Technicolor) (Poltergeist III, 1989 MGM).jpg|This is an example of what the dark ink code on a Memorex tape looks like. In this picture, the code reads "8 003 89 2130", which means the side of the tape is labeled 8 and the tape was manufactured on the 3rd day of 1989 (January 3, 1989) at 09:30 PM.
File:Dark Ink Label (Technicolor) (Poltergeist III, 1989 MGM).jpg|This is an example of what the dark ink code on a Memorex tape looks like. In this picture, the code reads "8 003 89 2130", which means the side of the tape is labeled 8 and the tape was manufactured on the 3rd day of 1989 (January 3, 1989) at 09:30 PM.
File:Dark Ink Code (Memorex) (Mutator, 1991 Prism).jpg|This is another example of what the dark ink code on a Memorex tape looks like. This time, the code reads "2 332 90 0313", which means the side of the tape is labeled 2 and the tape was manufactured on the 332nd day of 1990 (November 28, 1990) at 03:13 AM.
File:Dark Ink Code (Memorex) (Mutator, 1991 Prism).jpg|This is another example of what the dark ink code on a Memorex tape looks like. This time, the code reads "2 332 90 0313", which means the side of the tape is labeled 2 and the tape was manufactured on the 332nd day of 1990 (November 28, 1990) at 03:13 AM.
File:The Best of Ernie and Bert 1996 Front.jpg|Front of a Memorex tape.
File:The Best of Ernie and Bert 1996 Back.jpg|Back of a Memorex tape. In this picture, "MADE IN U.S.A." is moulded on the back right.
File:William Wegman's Mother Goose 1997 Front.jpg|Front of a Memorex tape.
File:William Wegman's Mother Goose 1997 Back.jpg|Back of a Memorex tape.
</gallery>
</gallery>


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* CBS/Fox Video
* CBS/Fox Video
* Family Home Entertainment
* Family Home Entertainment
* Paramount Home Video
* RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video
* RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video
* Media Home Entertainment

===Known duplicators===
* Deluxe Media Entertainment
** Video Technology Services
* Technicolor Video Services
** The CBS/Fox Company

===How to tell===
===How to tell===
* On some tapes that carry the National brand, "Do not touch the tape inside" in Japanese (内側のテープに手在ふれないでください) may be found written on the tape guard.


==RCA==
==RCA==
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** Walt Disney Home Video
** Walt Disney Home Video
** Touchstone Home Video
** Touchstone Home Video

===Known duplicators===
* Deluxe Media Entertainment
* Technicolor Video Services
** The CBS/Fox Company


===How to tell===
===How to tell===
*The text "Insert with this side up - Do not touch the tape inside" may be found written on the tape guard.


==Sony==
==Sony==
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** Walt Disney Home Video
** Walt Disney Home Video
* Warner Home Video
* Warner Home Video

===Known duplicators===
* Deluxe Media Entertainment
** Video Technology Services
* Technicolor Video Services


===How to tell===
===How to tell===
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** Walt Disney Home Video
** Walt Disney Home Video
* WCI Home Video/Warner Home Video
* WCI Home Video/Warner Home Video

===Known duplicators===
* Deluxe Media Entertainment
** Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment
** Video Technology Services
* Media Home Entertainment
* Technicolor Video Services
** AstralTech
** The CBS/Fox Company


===How to tell===
===How to tell===
* The TDK logo can be found above the record tab.
* The TDK logo can be found above the record tab.
* Tapes manufactured from 1978 to 1987 may have a year-week code printed above the record tab.
** The first number is the last number of the year the tape was manufactured, and the last two numbers indicate the week.
*** E.G. if the code reads "AKAF413", it could mean the tape was manufactured on the 13th week of 1984.
** On Betamax tapes, the code may be printed on the bottom spine.
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Record Tab (TDK) (The Three Caballeros, 1985 Disney).jpg
File:Record Tab (TDK) (The Three Caballeros, 1985 Disney).jpg|An example of the TDK logo and a year-week code found above the record tab. The code shown on this image reads "AKAD423", meaning it was manufactured on the 23rd week of 1984.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==VeeJay==
==TCL==
===Customers===
===Customers===
* Fox Video (1989-1998)
* Paramount Home Video (1989-1998)
* Columbia TriStar Home Video (1989-1998)
* MCA/Universal Home Video (1989-1998)
* Family Home Entertainment (1989-1998)

===Known duplicators===
* Rank Video Services America (1989-1998)

===How to tell===
===How to tell===
* A pattern nicknamed "scritchy scratchy", by the YouTube user named Pinkie Pie Global is carved on the tape.
* The tape guard is stronger.
* The tape guard only consists of a regularly shaped arrow with the VHS logo on the right.
* The tapes are softer.
<gallery>
File:Grease 1990 VHS.jpg|An example of a TCL tape.
</gallery>


==ZiMAG==
==VeeJay==
===Customers===
===Customers===
===How to tell===
===How to tell===

==Unknown tape manufacturers==
See also information on other tape manufacturers that are [[Unknown tape manufacturers|currently unknown]].


==Notes==
==Notes==

Revision as of 22:13, 27 January 2024

This list is dedicated to the tape stock companies and their customers.

3M

Customers

  • Buena Vista Home Video
    • Walt Disney Home Video
  • Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment/RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video/Columbia TriStar Home Video
  • Fotomat Video
  • Magnetic Video Corporation/20th Century Fox Video/CBS/Fox Video
  • MCA Videocassette, Inc./MCA Home Video
  • MGM/CBS Home Video/MGM/UA Home Video
  • Paramount Home Video
  • Thorn EMI Video/Thorn EMI/HBO Video
  • Time-Life Video
  • VCI Home Video
  • WCI Home Video/Warner Home Video
  • 3M

Known duplicators

  • Deluxe Media Entertainment
    • Columbia Pictures Videocassette Services
  • Technicolor Video Services
    • AstralTech
    • The CBS/Fox Company

How to tell

  • Tapes manufactured prior to the late 1980s would have the text "Load this way - Do not touch tape" either engraved in white, or moulded, on the tape guard.
  • On some tapes, especially early ones, the Scotch logo is either engraved in white, or moulded, on the tape guard.
  • Mid 1980s-early 1990s tapes may have the Scotch logo engraved above the record tab.
  • On Scotch VHS VCR Head Cleaner tapes, the title of the product is written in white on the tape guard.

Agfa-Gevaert

Customers

  • MGM/UA Home Video
  • United Home Video

How to tell

  • The Agfa logo can be found above the record tab.

Ampex

Customers

  • Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment
  • Fotomat Video
  • Magnetic Video Corporation
  • MCA Videocassette Inc.
  • MGM/CBS Home Video
  • Paramount Home Video
  • Time-Life Video
  • WCI Home Video

Known duplicators

  • Deluxe Media Entertainment
  • Technicolor Video Services

How to tell

BASF

Customers

  • Lionsgate Home Entertainment
    • Artisan Entertainment (1987-2004)
      • Vestron Video (1987-1992)
  • Anchor Bay Entertainment (1995-2007)
    • Video Treasures (1986-1998)
      • Burbank Video (1987-1995)
        • Jenal Entertainment (1987-1991)
        • Troy Gold (1987-1989)
      • MNTex Entertainment (1987-1998)
      • Strand Home Video (1989-1994)
    • Starmaker Entertainment
  • Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (1987-2007)
  • Lyrick Studios (1998-2001)
  • HiT Entertainment (2001-2006)
  • Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (1994-2007)
  • Sterling Entertainment Group
    • UAV Corporation (1985-1998)
    • VidAmerica, Inc. (1987-1992)
  • Paramount Home Entertainment (1994-2007)
  • Warner Home Video (1987-2007)
  • MGM Home Entertainment (1987-2007)
    • Orion Home Video

Known duplicators

  • Allied Digital
  • Deluxe Media Entertainment
    • Video Technology Services
  • Mirror Image Duplication Services
  • Premiere Video
  • Technicolor Video Services

How to tell

  • Tapes manufactured after 2001 have "TTGNIC" moulded on the back of the cassette, usually next to the supply reel.
  • Tapes manufactured prior to 1990 would have the safety notice on the tape guard engraved in white, while tapes manufactured after would have it moulded in a cheesier font.
  • Tapes are duplicated using thermal magnetic duplication, which requires chromium dioxide tape (a BASF exclusive). Many are branded under license as 3M, Agfa-Gevaert, Memorex, PDM Magnetics, Sony, and TDK, among others.

Fujifilm

Customers

  • Astral Video [Canadian]
  • Family Home Entertainment
  • Magnetic Video Corporation
  • Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment/RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video [Canadian]
  • Media Home Entertainment
  • Paragon Video Productions
  • Thorn EMI Video
  • Time-Life Video
  • Buena Vista Home Video [Canadian]
    • Touchstone Home Video
    • Walt Disney Home Video

Known duplicators

  • Deluxe Media Entertainment
    • Columbia Pictures Videocassette Services
    • Video Technology Services
  • Media Home Entertainment
  • Technicolor Video Services
    • AstralTech
    • The CBS/Fox Company

How to tell

  • Tapes manufactured prior to 1990 may have the Fuji name on the tape guard.
  • During the 1990s, some tapes had dark ink code information, including the day-year code.
    • For example, if the code reads "8 200 91 1311", then that means that the side of the tape is labeled 8 and that the tape was manufactured on the 200th day of 1991, or July 19, 1991, at 01:11 PM.

JVC

Customers

  • Allied Artists Video
  • Magnetic Video Corporation
  • Media Home Entertainment

Known duplicators

  • Deluxe Media Entertainment
  • Media Home Entertainment
  • Technicolor Video Services
    • The CBS/Fox Company

How to tell

  • Very early tapes would have the text, "DON'T TOUCH TAPE INSIDE - KEEP CLOSED", written on the top of the tape guard.

Kodak

Customers

  • Congress Video
  • Paramount Home Video

Known duplicators

  • Deluxe Media Entertainment

How to tell

Konica

Customers

  • Active Home Video
  • Roadshow Home Video [Australian]
  • Video Gems

Known duplicators

  • Roadshow Home Video [Australian]
  • Video Gems

How to tell

Maxell

Customers

  • 20th Century-Fox Home Entertainment
    • CBS/Fox Video
      • 20th Century-Fox Video
  • Fotomat Video
  • MGM/UA Home Video
  • Paramount Home Video
  • Columbia/TriStar Home Video
    • RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video
  • PBS Video
  • Thorn EMI Video
  • Time-Life Video
  • VCI Home Video
  • Buena Vista Home Video
    • Walt Disney Home Video
    • Touchstone Home Video
  • Warner Home Video
  • Anchor Bay Entertainment (1995-2007)
    • Video Treasures (1988-1998)
      • Burbank Video (1988-1995)
        • Troy Gold (1987-1989)
    • Starmaker Entertainment

Known duplicators

  • Allied Digital
  • Deluxe Media Entertainment
    • Republic Pictures Home Video
  • Full Perspective Video Services
  • Technicolor Video Services
    • The CBS/Fox Company

How to tell

  • Tapes manufactured after the early 1990s would have a safety notice written in a Helvetica-like font on the tape guard that says, "Insert this side into recorder" and "Do not touch the tape inside," with an up arrow between the two prompts while tapes manufactured before would have the up arrow below the tape guard instead of into the tape guard, and no safety notice anywhere.

Memorex

Customers

  • Anchor Bay Entertainment (1995-1996)
    • Video Treasures (1990-1996)
      • Burbank Video (1988-1995)
        • Troy Gold (1987-1989)
    • Starmaker Entertainment (1990-1996)
  • Buena Vista Home Video (1987-1994)
    • Walt Disney Home Video
  • Vestron Video
  • Warner Home Video
    • HBO Home Video
    • Allied Artists Video
  • Sony Music Entertainment (1991-2003)
  • ADV Films

Known duplicators

  • Deluxe Media Entertainment
  • Full Perspective Video Services
  • MediaCopy, Inc.
  • Scenewise, Inc.
  • Technicolor Video Services

How to tell

  • Many 1979-1998 tapes have one of four distinct shell designs, the most memorable being one with the top and bottom of the front having squares of horizontal bevels going across the surface. Since 1983, many such tapes have a white release button instead of the standard black release button. Some tapes duplicated by RVSA/Deluxe since the '90s alternatively have a green release button.
  • Some 1987-1998 tapes have “Made in U.S.A.” or "MADE IN U.S.A." moulded on the back right of the cassette.
  • Some 1987-2003 tapes have dark ink code information, including the day-year code.
    • For example, if the code reads "8 322 90 2211", then that means that the side of the tape is labeled 8 and that the tape was manufactured on the 322nd day of 1990, or November 18, 1990, at 10:11 PM.

Panasonic

Customers

  • CBS/Fox Video
  • Family Home Entertainment
  • Paramount Home Video
  • RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video
  • Media Home Entertainment

Known duplicators

  • Deluxe Media Entertainment
    • Video Technology Services
  • Technicolor Video Services
    • The CBS/Fox Company

How to tell

RCA

Customers

  • Magnetic Video Corporation
  • MGM/UA Home Video
  • VCI Home Video
  • WCI Home Video
  • Buena Vista Home Video
    • Walt Disney Home Video
    • Touchstone Home Video

Known duplicators

  • Deluxe Media Entertainment
  • Technicolor Video Services
    • The CBS/Fox Company

How to tell

Sony

Customers

  • HBO/Cannon Video
  • MGM/UA Home Video
  • RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video
  • Buena Vista Home Video
    • Walt Disney Home Video
  • Warner Home Video

Known duplicators

  • Deluxe Media Entertainment
    • Video Technology Services
  • Technicolor Video Services

How to tell

For VHS, either small round depressions in the front shell of the cassette, or a large grid of squares along the entire front area thereof.

TDK

Customers

  • Magnetic Video Corporation/20th Century-Fox Video/CBS/Fox Video
  • MGM/CBS Home Video/MGM/UA Home Video
  • Paramount Home Video
  • Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment/RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video
  • Fotomat Video
  • MCA Videocassette, Inc.
  • Time-Life Video/Vestron Video
  • Thorn EMI Video/Thorn EMI/HBO Video
  • U.S.A. Home Video
  • Walt Disney Telecommunications and Non-Theatrical Company
    • Walt Disney Home Video
  • WCI Home Video/Warner Home Video

Known duplicators

  • Deluxe Media Entertainment
    • Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment
    • Video Technology Services
  • Media Home Entertainment
  • Technicolor Video Services
    • AstralTech
    • The CBS/Fox Company

How to tell

  • The TDK logo can be found above the record tab.
  • Tapes manufactured from 1978 to 1987 may have a year-week code printed above the record tab.
    • The first number is the last number of the year the tape was manufactured, and the last two numbers indicate the week.
      • E.G. if the code reads "AKAF413", it could mean the tape was manufactured on the 13th week of 1984.
    • On Betamax tapes, the code may be printed on the bottom spine.

TCL

Customers

  • Fox Video (1989-1998)
  • Paramount Home Video (1989-1998)
  • Columbia TriStar Home Video (1989-1998)
  • MCA/Universal Home Video (1989-1998)
  • Family Home Entertainment (1989-1998)

Known duplicators

  • Rank Video Services America (1989-1998)

How to tell

  • A pattern nicknamed "scritchy scratchy", by the YouTube user named Pinkie Pie Global is carved on the tape.
  • The tape guard is stronger.
  • The tape guard only consists of a regularly shaped arrow with the VHS logo on the right.
  • The tapes are softer.

VeeJay

Customers

How to tell

Unknown tape manufacturers

See also information on other tape manufacturers that are currently unknown.

Notes

  • The first companies to provide tape stocks for the physical media industry were the larger manufacturing companies, including those that invented the media formats and accessories.
    • 1930 - 3M invented the Scotch Tape under their then-formed sub-label, Scotch.
    • 1935 - TDK invented iron-based magnetic material during their establishment.
    • 1961 - Memorex invented the computer tape.
    • 1975 - Sony invented the Beta format.
    • 1976 - JVC invented the VHS format.
    • 1987 - An improved version of the VHS format was developed by JVC, called S-VHS. In the meantime, the VHS format has won the war that it once had with the Beta format. As a result, VHS gained more popularity than Beta did.
    • 1988 - Sony began making VHS players/recorders.
  • The last companies to provide tape stocks for the industry were a soda and chemical manufacturer named BASF and a battery company named Maxell.