What's the best/quickest way to destroy a LOT of Mini-DV tapes?

Question

I have two very large boxes of old mini-DV and Hi-8 tapes I have to get rid of. They have to be completely destroyed for legal reasons, so I can't just throw them out, and degaussing them one-by-one will take months.

Is there, like, a microwave-type degausser where I can just stick in a whole bunch at once and zap them? Or something?

ETA: Didn't I hear somewhere that the cassettes release toxic fumes if you burn them?

Answer 1

A very large Magnet. :)

Answer 2

Degaussing is the most reliable way to destroy the data on the cartridges. Sounds like you are going to have to approach your employer and indicate that this is a "special project" which requires extra incentives to complete and specify that it will take several months to do so. The other option would be to look up a company called Iron Mountain (if in your area) and see if they offer a service where they'd pick up the cartridges and degauss them for a fixed fee.

Answer 3

TV studios and other video facilities sometimes have commercial degaussers which are designed to erase the large pro video tapes. One of these could be used to erase several 8mm or DV tapes at once. You could check with such a facility or just buy your own bulk degausser which can be resold later to recover the investment. Check out the eBay link below for one of these units.

WK

Answer 4

How To Destroy Vhs Tapes

Answer 5

try digging a hole filling it wit water then put all the tapes in it fill it back in then put it back the way it was wen u started i think if they stay there a while they will b destroyed but put them some where where it will take a long time for any one to dig there or see if they float if not u could throw them in like a big lake it will b a long time b4 they turn up again but u would have to go way far out there tho

Answer 6

1

Answer 7

simplest and quickest way is to use your microwave oven!
you can put in many tapes at once (but it's better to 'cook' it 1 by 1).
those magnetic tapes will pop and create a lot of loud bangs, so i guess have a neighbor know first what your 'cooking' so as not to alert or frighten them.

Answer 8

Well... an MRI machine would do the job, but good luck getting a hospital to let you use it for that purpose. Especially since I think they contain some metal, that would be bad. Honestly, I think that's the type of thing you'd need. I say incinerate them.

Answer 9

A fire would be the most effective way.....followed by maybe giving them to a two year old to play with...haha

Answer 10

take 'em out to a remote place and have a bonfire .....unless you work for the government or are into child porn.
Don't forget to stay until they are COMPLETELY gone.