Every family has tapes marked:
Blank.
Erase later.
Nothing important.
Decades later those words are guesses, not facts. A so-called blank VHS tape may hide birthdays, graduations, or the only recording of someone’s voice.
That uncertainty is exactly why Heirloom gives store credit for any tapes we confirm are truly blank after running them completely through.
You never pay to digitize nothing.
For the full guide to protecting cassettes first, see VHS Tapes: How to Protect the Memories You Can’t Replace.
Why Blank VHS Tapes Are Rarely Truly Blank
In the VHS era, tapes were reused constantly:
- only the first minutes were recorded over
- SP and SLP speeds were mixed on one tape
- camcorder VHS-C was dubbed to VHS
- labels were changed without checking
- TV recordings were layered over home movies
The word blank usually means “I don’t remember what’s on this.”
The Problem With Checking at Home
Popping the tape in a VCR “just to see” can:
- crease fragile tape edges
- trigger tracking damage
- spread hidden mold on VHS
- leave a cassette stuck in the VCR
- overwrite surviving sections
A five-second test can erase a lifetime.
VHS-C Makes It Even More Uncertain
Mini VHS-C camcorder tapes add extra confusion:
- adapters hide what’s inside
- short clips look empty at first
- counters reset when batteries died
- mixed speeds are common
Many “blank” VHS-C tapes turn out to be the most important years of family life.
How Heirloom Removes the Risk
Here’s what makes Heirloom different:
- We run every tape completely through to confirm contents
- If a tape is truly blank, you receive store credit
- You never pay for empty media
- We handle VHS and VHS-C gently—no risky home playback
- Real, live phone support if you have questions
This means you can send the whole box with confidence instead of guessing at labels.
The simplest next step is to get started by sending your VHS tapes to Heirloom.
You’ll only pay for memories we actually preserve—and any confirmed blanks return to you as credit. Heirloom makes it easy to get started today!
Heirloom as Your Guide
You are the hero trying to sort clutter from history.
Heirloom is the guide who makes that safe and fair.
- We verify what’s really on each cassette
- We credit you for true blanks
- We treat VHS and VHS-C carefully
- We align our incentives with your family
You shouldn’t gamble on labels—and you shouldn’t pay for emptiness.
For more on protecting tapes before testing, revisit VHS Tapes: How to Protect the Memories You Can’t Replace.
After the Truth Is Known
Once tapes are preserved, families can:
- recycle genuine blanks confidently
- organize real memories by date
- share rediscovered moments
- use credit toward other formats
Clarity replaces doubt—and cost stays fair.
Blank VHS Tapes – FAQs
Are blank VHS tapes usually empty?
Often no. Many contain older recordings beneath newer ones or partial footage.
Do I pay if a tape is truly blank?
No. Heirloom runs every tape fully and provides store credit for confirmed blanks.
Should I play a blank tape to check it?
Not recommended—playback can damage fragile VHS or VHS-C tapes.
Can VHS-C tapes labeled blank hold video?
Yes. Camcorder tapes are frequently mis-labeled or only partly erased.
What’s safer than testing blank tapes at home?
Professional evaluation that checks contents first—and credits you for any empties.
