Jessamyn

Boston area old tech people: my partner has two 8-track cassettes that he'd like to listen to and/or see if he can digitize. We're looking for a place or person who has an eight track player locallish to him, optimally.

This is a one-time thing, we do not want to buy a player. We might pay for a digitizing service.

Ideas or leads? Harvard's library system does not have what we need, amazingly.

For the youth: these things...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8-track_cartridge

8-track cartridge - Wikipedia

Feb 3 at 7:55pmWeb
Show threadHTTP 1.1/418 Old Teapot Typewriter FontFeb 3
@jessamyn I might know someone - I'll ask around.
Show threadHeather 👻Feb 3
@jessamyn It's not listed, since it's not a movie format, I know, so it might be a long shot but maybe Photosmith might be able to find someone for you? I have emailed them in the past about old movie transfers. They sounded like they may have connections.
https://photosmithimaging.com/services/video-transfers
Video Transfers | Photosmith

Do you have old 16mm film reels, 8mm film reels, Super 8 film reels, VHS tapes, 8mm tapes, Hi-8 tapes or other old home movie formats?

Show threadJessamynFeb 3
@Akki Thank you, they seem cool and I'll reach out.
Show threadDasFeb 3
@jessamyn I've used scancafe.com though for audio they list cassettes and tapes/reels not 8-track. Maybe worth a call to see if they will digitize
Show threadAaron Brick — אהרן בריקFeb 3
@jessamyn Sold my 8-track player about a year ago. I'd expect it to be more practical to access this service by mail.
Show threadAnneHFeb 3

@jessamyn This place is in Bristol UK but their explanations of what's involved might be useful
https://thegreatbear.co.uk/project/8-track-cartridge/

Edited for typo

Show threadJessamynFeb 3
@annehargreaves Thank you, that is helpful.
Show threadkFeb 3

@jessamyn Eclipse video service at 2322 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge. it's across from Big Dig Records (who tbh might also be able to help you out if they can't)

the storefront says it's a real estate company but it's not anymore! you can see all sorts of cool and obsolete tech in their windows.

good luck :)

Show threadJessamynFeb 3
@xeroxerox My partner literally was watching a documentary movie about Mass Ave. (a street he ALSO LIVES ON but not in Cambridge) on Sunday. This looks like a good lead, thank you.
Show threadkFeb 3
@jessamyn best of luck!
Show threadJeremy GFeb 4
@jessamyn
Seconding Eclipse. They were able to digitize some old tape cartridge things I had from my grandfather. Older than cassette or 8 track, apparently the ones I had digitized were used in radio stations for little audio stingers to put in the broadcasts in the 50s or so, I think. They spliced the magnetic tape inside together to run it all through a reel to reel to digitize them. 8 tracks seem like they'd be in their wheelhouse. Not cheap, but reasonable.
@xeroxerox
Show threadJessamynFeb 4
@sokath @xeroxerox I got ahold of them and they say this is something they do! It's not cheap but it can happen. Thank you!
Show threadDavid McMullinFeb 3
@jessamyn
I’d ask the librarians at the Boston Public Library and/or the New England Conservatory library. I doubt they’d do it for you but they’d probably know who could.
Show threadJessamynFeb 3
@mcmullin I always forget about the NE Conservatory, thank you.
Show threadDavid McMullinFeb 4
@jessamyn
Berklee would be worth a try too probably.
Show threadGlenn BeltzFeb 3
@jessamyn Oh wow, as a kid I was so fascinated by how that continuous loop, single-reel mechanism worked.
Show threadMistyFeb 3
@jessamyn Boosts wanted?
Show threadJessamynFeb 3
@misty Sure, can't hurt. Thanks.
Show threadEmelia/EmiFeb 4

@jessamyn Another good lead source might be MIT, even if they don't 'formally' have one, someone there probably knows someone that does. I find all sorts of weird shit at the MIT flea market...

(I personally have two 8-track players, but they're unfortunately not readily accessible, otherwise I'd assist)

Show threadThe Return of KozeshiFeb 4
@jessamyn
Is there a county archive office you can ask?
Show threadJessamynFeb 4
@kozeshi nothing like that, but I should actually ask the state archives here because that's the kind of thing they might have. Thank you.
Show threadpchestekFeb 4
https://georgeblood.com/
George Blood

Preserving the sound, motion, and files of history Ready To Preserve The Past?

George Blood
Show threadpchestekFeb 4
Best in the business, they do Library of Congress, Internet Archive