| The increase in security at airport
check-in has led to a resurfacing of the age old concern, 'what effect
will airport x-rays have on my magnetic tape recording?'
X-ray systems used at airport
check-in have long been found to have no effect on magnetic tape
media. But, customer uncertainty regarding what effect the new
sophisticated Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) might have, prompted
Sony to conduct a preliminary test to determine if more extensive
testing was warranted.
Based on a controlled test using a
variety of Sony magnetic tapes with varying degrees of susceptibility
to erasure (i.e. values of coercivity), it was found that the EDS in
use at one airport did not impact the magnetic recording on the tapes
tested.
Unfortunately variations in the
design of security x-ray scanning equipment (i.e.: positioning of the
electric motors that power the conveyer belt; radiation intensity &
frequency; speed of the conveyor belt; length of time the material is
x-rayed; equipment used outside the U.S.) make it impossible to
definitively determine what effect, if any, these new scanners might
have on magnetic tape recordings.
Although it is highly unlikely that
these new EDS’ will affect your magnetic recording, as a safeguard it
is recommended that you consider the following guidelines:
- Carry-on valuable recordings and
submit them for hand inspection at security
checks.
- Allow yourself some extra time in
the event there is any question.
- Carry along a sample tape that can
be put through the normal inspection, if necessary.
- Avoid mailing magnetic tape
through the United States Postal Service, or the like, unless it can
be arranged for these mailings to be exempted from being x-rayed.
- If it is unavoidable for your tape
to be subjected to x-ray security, try to avoid multiple passes.
- If possible, make a back-up copy
before you embark on your travels.
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