[Explained] How Do VHS Tapes Have Sound?

The VHS (Video Home System) format was a major development for television broadcasters and then home users later when it came out for the public; to record videos and play them later using the VCR. But in recent times, people have wondered how a tape can contain sound.

It may confuse you at first but it is fairly simple and very similar to an audio tape. The sound information is stored linearly on the tape. The stationary heads read the audio signal as electromagnetic pulses that are stored at the very top end of the cobalt tape.

But let’s go into more detail about how VHS tapes have sounds.

How Is Sound Implemented and Works in VHS Tapes?

In general, VHS tapes or tape technology is electromagnetic and it catches the audio and video signals and stores them. As stated before, the sound is stored linearly on the edge of the tape. The sound is laid down in the recording as a long line when the tape moves past the recording head.

When the audio signal is fed in, an electromagnetic head fluctuates its magnetic field. Audio information is imprinted on the tape when this happens and this essentially magnetizes the tape in the form of varying magnetic polarity.

The audio track is recorded on the sides of a tape in VHS tape and the rest is where the video is stored. Unlike filmstrips, it’s only a medium where magnetic signals get recorded. Since the audio is stored in a very small portion of the tape, it gets processed separately from the video.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does my VHS have no sound?

One end of the coaxial cable needs to be connected to the UHF/VHF OUT on the VCR and the Other end to the UHF/VHF IN on the TV. Also, make sure that the Audio/Video (A/V) cable is connected to the AUDIO/VIDEO OUT on the VCR.

What is the audio quality of VHS?

Originally the audio quality of VHS was very poor. But it was significantly improved in the VHS Hi-Fi standard. It is on par with the audio quality of a CD. And if the whole VHS tape was used for audio only, the quality would be even better.

Conclusion

In brief, VHS uses electromagnetic fluctuations to record, store, and play audio. Though the VCR service has been discontinued since 2007, you can still find some online and convert your old VHS tapes into CDs or DVDs. The audio could get jittery during the conversion but you should be fine for the most part. We hope we were able to help you find the answers to how sound works on VHS tapes. If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us in the comments box.