Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

storing blank mini dv media in the fridge.

Jan 21, 2006 3:47AM PST

i want to buy tapes in bulk to get a savings. i won't be using all right away.

i used to store blank cassette and vhs-c media in the fridge till i used them, and took them out a couple of hours before use to get rid of any moisture.

can the same be done with the mini dv tapes? is the chemistry of the tape different in any way from previous types of media that would prohibit cold storage?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
A wive's tale or fact?
Jan 21, 2006 3:59AM PST

Wasn't storing batteries in the fridge supposed to keep them "charged" for a much longer time period too? I read some scientific studies about this and the report showed that storing batteries in the fridge did nothing to prolong the battery life vs. storing at room temperature. But, movie studio tapes and digital media ARE store in climate-controlled environments for the stability of the media, but they aren't stored in refrigerated conditions, simply a steady cool temperatures, very much like wine is stored in a wine cellar. I don't think wine is ever stored long-term in a refrigerator at 38 degrees.

- Collapse -
Storing batteries for years in fridge
Jan 26, 2006 8:42PM PST

I have been storing batteries, etc. in fridge for years in a Tupperware container. A friend of mine whom was in the Air Force years ago working in the facility that stored the batteries (all kinds, household type, vehicles, airplane, etc.) for the Air Force Base, told me to store my batteries in the refrigerator. He told me the cold keeps the batteries from losing some of its life. It retards the energy lose for better words. With having children and going through lots of batteries, I found that storing them has saved me lots of money..till rechargeable ones came along. Anyway, I have used some that were at least two to three years past their stamped date on pkg. after letting them get to room temperature before inserting into device(s) that uses the batteries. Key is to keep them cold in the crisper section of fridge and in a moisture-proof container. Also, film for cameras do the same thing, keep in original pkg. Sorry I got off the original topic. Shirley

- Collapse -
i always remember...
Jan 26, 2006 8:47PM PST

storing 35 mm films in the refrigerator.

i think i knew some photocraphers who used to do that.

richard

- Collapse -
Don't put mini dv in fridge
Jan 26, 2006 9:47PM PST

I wouldn't reccomend it. The cold probabably won't help and the condensation might hurt.

They used to store film in cool conditions because it slowed degradation of the chemistry, increasing its shelf life. But modern media isn't the same kind of chemistry, and often isn't exposed to the air.

- Collapse -
Here's why...
Jan 27, 2006 12:24AM PST

Right on! The chemistry is the key. Cold storage works for photographic film and for batteries. These work by chemical reaction processes (chemical + light = new chemical in the case of film, and chemical + chemical = new chemical + electricity in the case of batteries). Chemical reactions occur to an extent whether the device is actually being used or not, hence the fact that film or batteries that get too old do not work anymore. All such reactions are temperature dependant in regard to how fast they occur. Storing these materials cold slows down or even prevents the reactions from happening, so film and batteries tend to stay 'fresher longer'.
Magnetic media are a whole different beast. There is no chemical change happening when they are used, and the physical material itself does not change. All that happens is that the magnetic coating on the tape, disk, or whatever, is magnetized and demangetized in a specific pattern. This is not temperature dependant. But where the cold could cause a problem is in how effectively the magnetic material is able to 'stick' to the carrier material. It is possible that the temperature changes and moisture effects can cause the coating to separate from the carrier, and the more that happens the more the quality of the media breaks down.

- Collapse -
Long Term Storage
Jan 27, 2006 2:50AM PST

Forget about the media!
There are now several companies that offer cryogenic storage for humans! When you sign up, just offer to pay a little extra for them to place all your media in the canister with you.

Dave

- Collapse -
yeah, but...
Jan 27, 2006 6:47AM PST

i've still got a lot to do and to video before i consider being freeze dried along with my media. plus, i could be wrong. but i don't think you can take media with you.

Happy

- Collapse -
thanks folks...
Jan 27, 2006 6:57AM PST

i think i am now convinced to keep my dv tapes out of the fridge.

i do still plan to keep my yogurt in the icebox however.

so,yogurt in. dv tapes out.

the yogurt will help me to going on taping for a long, long time so i can avoid being cryogenically set along with my dvs. burrrrrrrrrrrh!