What Were the Criteria For “Professional” Audio Cassettes?

It’s a good question. What, exactly, entitled a manufacturer to brand the word “Professional” onto an audio tape? Or to describe it as “professional quality” in blurb? Was there a bench test that defined a standard of performance, above which the cassette attained suitability for professional use?

1984 Pre-Recorded Chrome Cassette: Peter Katin Plays Chopin

I haven’t posted much in the way of pre-recorded cassettery from 1984, so to make amends here’s a classic, Made in England, chromium dioxide product from that very year.

All the hallmarks of the period are there. The proud boast of “CHROME TAPE” on the front of the inlay – essential info in the early to mid eighties when hi-fi credentials lay at the forefront of audio cassette marketing. The “CHROME – FOR QUALTY” C-logo appears on the cream paper label, as does the “DOLBY SYSTEM”-accompanied Dolby logo, which prevailed on casings before the text was phased out to leave only the double-D symbol.

Most Stupid Videotape Ever? The Dangerous Brothers Present – World of Danger

There are many facets of 1980s UK television whose political incorrectness would not be acceptable in the 2020s. This particular facet of 1980s television was not even acceptable in the 1980s. Banned from Channel 4 for a sketch in which they manhandled prostitutes and pushed one out of a window, The Dangerous Brothers protested by demolishing a wall at London Weekend TV, and smashing up a Vauxhall Viva in the TV executives’ car park under cover of night… Before discovering it was their own vehicle…

Released on VHS, The Dangerous Brothers Present – World of Danger is self-evidently one of the most stupid videotapes ever made. It charts an eight-part run of TV appearances from Richard and Sir Adrian Dangerous – AKA Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson – in the run up to their ban. It also includes the ninth, banned episode, which was never at any point shown on TV, and the aforementioned car park rampage.