Whether you have one videocassette or hundreds of videos in your video library, you should apply the following instructions to help preserve the quality of your videos.

1. Keep the videocassette stored at room temperature.
2. Always keep your tapes rewound and stored like a book shelf with the bulk of the tape on the bottom.
3. Every three to six months, you should either view your tape or fast forward and rewind the tape in the stop position. This prevents the chemicals on the tape from drying up.
4. Never leave a tape unattended in your VCR. To understand this theory, you have to remember that videotapes work like rubberbands. If you let the tape stretch out long enough, the tape will remain stretched out. (When you leave the tape in the VCR, the drums and heads of the VCR stretches the tape) A vertical line will appear and will possibly ruin your image in that portion of the video.

Admit it. These instructions are easier than setting the timer on your VCR.