Hit Vid Hustle: Build 41 vs 42 VHS Secrets in Project Zomboid
VHS Stores in Project Zomboid (B41 vs B42): The Ultimate Survivor's Toolbox
Ever felt like a blockbuster scavenger in the zombie apocalypse? You're not alone. In Project Zomboid, VHS stores are treasure troves of skill points and 1990s lore â especially in Build 41 where tapes let you binge-learn skills after the TV stations go dark. Build 42, however, changes the game's tape deck: skill XP from TV and VHS is now capped, and double-dipping those Life and Living shows is a thing of the past. Don't worry, survivor â this guide gives you the veteran lowdown on how to make the most of VHS stores in both B41 and B42, without spoilers but with all the pro tips.
⥠Quick-Start Guide
VHS tapes can still boost your skills and relieve boredom. In B41, raid any of the six Hit Vids! VHS stores across Knox Country for tapes that grant XP up to mid-levels. Read the matching skill book first to multiply XP. In B42, note that watching the live TV show now uses up that episode â you won't get XP from the tape of the same show later. Also, by default, neither TV nor VHS will push a skill beyond level 3 (you can tweak this in sandbox settings). Prioritize finding a Premium Technologies or ValuTech TV (tube TVs won't play tapes) and keep a generator handy after the power fails.
đ Why VHS Stores Matter (Even in a Zombie Apocalypse)
In a world frozen in 1993, VHS tapes are the high-tech educational tool at your disposal. Think of VHS stores as the post-apocalyptic community college â stocked with "how-to" videos for everything from carpentry to cooking, plus a bunch of B-movies to lighten the mood. Here's why veteran players make a beeline for these locations:
đ Skill XP on Demand
Missed the Life and Living TV broadcasts in the first week? No problem â many of those shows exist as VHS tapes. Watching "Woodcraft E4" on tape gives the same Carpentry XP as catching it live, as long as you haven't seen it before (more on that Build 42 caveat later). It's a second chance at free XP, which is huge for late starters or multiplayer servers where you join after Day 8.
đĄī¸ Safe, Passive Learning
Reading skill books or grinding carpentry in the field takes time and exposes you to danger. Popping in a VHS lets you learn from the safety of a secure base. Your character gains XP while you organize loot or wait out the rain. It's the closest thing to a "training montage" you'll get in Zomboid.
đ Lore & Entertainment
Beyond mechanics, tapes offer lore and laughs. The game's writers packed Home VHS tapes with snippets of Knox Event backstory, personal dramas, and pop culture parodies. They're collectible stories that make the world feel lived-in. Plus, watching a funny "Dumb Marvin" comedy tape can reduce character boredom â important for keeping moodles in check during long base-building sessions.
đ Loot Variety
VHS stores aren't just tapes; you'll often find VCRs (videoplayers), TVs, magazines, maybe the odd Electronics scrap. In B41, these stores were a one-stop shop to gear up for electronics and entertainment needs. In B42, loot is scarcer due to some stores being pre-looted (more on that later), but a VHS store is still a solid target for high-value, low-weight loot.
đēī¸ Where to Find VHS Stores in Kentucky (B41/B42)
First, the lay of the land. Knox Country has six VHS stores in vanilla Build 41's map â all under the "Hit Vids!" chain (a nod to real-world video rental chains). Build 42 expands the map (new towns like Irvington, Ekron, etc.), but the VHS stores remain in the major areas. For detailed maps, check our comprehensive map guides.
Riverside
Location: West side of town, L-shaped building with small parking lot
Grid Coordinates: 620, 534
Nearby: Riverside park
Risk Level: Moderate zombie population
Tip: Secure the big glass windows before watching tapes â zombies are drawn to any noise, even the laugh track of an old TV show.
Muldraugh
Location: Southwest end of town
Nearby: South of police station, near southern gas station
Risk Level: High (near gas station - always a zombie hotspot)
Tip: Approach from the woods behind the store to avoid hordes. Often has great selection of tapes (mechanics skill tapes found here). See our Muldraugh map guide.
March Ridge
Location: Just south of March Ridge cinema
Risk Level: Very High (high zombie density in compact area)
Building Type: Single-story strip-mall style
Tip: If you spawn in March Ridge, loot it quick; otherwise, consider if the long trip is worth it.
Louisville - West
Location: Near horse racing track (northwest suburbs)
Building Type: L-shaped standalone building
Risk Level: High (Louisville's zombie density is significant)
Tip: Fairly suburban setting but expect a fight.
Louisville - North
Location: Northern downtown, near the river and big bridge
Building Type: Storefront among other shops
Risk Level: Very High (street combat in Louisville is dangerous)
Tip: Clear block by block, or use noise distractions to draw zombies away before attempting a loot run.
Louisville - Northeast
Location: Grand Ohio Mall / retail park area (far NE end)
Building Type: In a strip mall next to "Kegsplosion" liquor store
Risk Level: Extreme (indoor hordes and parking lot hordes)
Tip: Only attempt if well-armed or on lower population settings. Has multiple copies of many tapes due to Louisville's high commercial loot count (in B41).
Missing Stores & B42 Additions
Notable Absences: West Point and Rosewood have no VHS stores in vanilla. Many players use mods to add them.
B42 New Towns: B42 adds towns like Ekron, Irvington, and Brandenburg. Irvington features a Hit Vids in its downtown.
Finding Stores: Use interactive maps like b42map.com or the Project Zomboid Map Project where you can filter for "VHS Store".
đ Looting a VHS Store 101
So you've located a VHS store â how to loot it effectively? Here are some veteran tips:
Bring a Bag
Tapes are light (0.1 units each) so weight isn't an issue, but quantity is. You might walk out with 10-20 tapes from a stocked store. A normal hiking bag or big duffel is fine. No need for a car trunk unless you're grabbing other loot.
Check Back Room
Some Hit Vids have a back room or staff room. Often overlooked, these can contain extra tapes or the VCR items. Also a good spot to hide if you get swarmed out front.
Noise Discipline
Breaking front glass attracts zombies. Try to open doors with keys or through adjacent buildings. Clear the area first. Don't play tapes on the spot - sound will attract zeds through windows. Grab and go, watch at safehouse.
Prioritize Skill Tapes
Look for tape names like The Cook Show, Woodcraft, Car Zone, Exposure Survival. Anything that sounds like a show (with "E1, E2..." episodes) is likely a skill tape. Home VHS are usually one-offs with unique titles.
Mark It
Consider marking the store on your map as "looted" (maybe an X or a note). In B42, loot settings might cause stores to be less loaded (or even empty if "pre-looted"), so you might return later.
đ Tapes and XP: Level Up on the Couch
One of Project Zomboid's coolest features is that you can gain actual skill experience by watching certain VHS tapes. It's the game's way of simulating all those educational TV programs that ran in the early '90s. If you plan right, you can jump several skill levels with minimal effort.
đŧ VHS Skill Tape Basics (Build 41)
Project Zomboid's VHS tapes come in two flavors:
Retail VHS tapes
Commercially produced tapes â essentially episodes of TV shows or movies from the PZ universe. Most of the Life and Living TV channel shows have their episodes available as retail tapes. Watching gives the same XP as the live broadcast would have.
Important: In B41, this was in addition to any live viewing â meaning if you watched it live and later found the tape, you got double XP.
Retail tapes are not unique â you might find multiple copies in different stores or houses. They spawn in various places besides VHS stores: sometimes in gas station stores, crates, cars, etc.
Home VHS tapes
Recorded by regular folks in the game world â unique tapes with personal or random content (weddings, home movies, weird recordings). They often have flavorful descriptions and help build the lore.
A handful of Home VHS actually give skill XP too, usually for skills that weren't covered by TV. For example, Tailoring 101 gives some tailoring XP.
Note: Home VHS tapes are unique spawns and do NOT spawn in VHS stores. Find them in residential homes or on zombie corpses.
Example Skill Tapes in Build 41
| Tape Title | Skill XP Gain (approx) | Corresponding Skill Book |
|---|---|---|
| VHS: Woodcraft E1 | Carpentry Level 1 (~75 XP) | Carpentry Vol.1 (read first!) |
| VHS: Woodcraft E3 | Carpentry Level 3 (~100+ XP) | Carpentry Vol.2 or 3 |
| VHS: The Cook Show E5 | Cooking Level 5 (unlocks recipe) | Cooking Vol.3 |
| VHS: Carzone E1 | Mechanics Level 1 (~50 XP) | Mechanics Vol.1 |
| Home VHS: TV Repair | Electrical XP (small boost) | Electrical Vol.1 if early |
Maximizing XP in Build 41
đ Read Skill Books First
Reading the corresponding skill book before watching gives you a multiplier (x3, x5, etc.) that applies to VHS XP gain. A tape that might give 100 XP could give 300 or 500 XP with books.
đē Use a Good TV
You need a TV with built-in VCR or attachable â "Premium Technologies" or "ValuTech" branded TVs. Antique TVs do NOT play tapes. Bigger TVs have larger viewing radius for multiplayer.
⥠Avoid Power Outage Blues
After power shuts off (0-30 days), you'll need a generator to power your TV. Prioritize watching skill tapes before power goes out, or secure a generator setup.
đ One-Time Use
The XP boost from a given show is only applied once per character. Tapes aren't "consumed" but you can't get XP twice from the same content (except the TV+tape double-dip in B41).
đŧ Build 42: Nerfs and Nuances to VHS XP
Build 42 (currently unstable as of 2025) made some balance changes to prevent exploits and adjust the game for a future with NPCs and longer play. The big changes related to TV/VHS:
XP Gain Cut-off at Level 3
By default, on Apocalypse settings in B42, neither TV shows nor VHS tapes will grant skill XP beyond level 3. If you're already level 3 in a skill, remaining tapes for level 4+ won't give XP.
Impact: In B41, you could technically watch all tapes and get to level 5-6 in some skills without ever practicing. B42 forces you to engage with crafting beyond basics.
Example: In B41, a savvy player could reach Carpentry 4-5 by Day 10. In B42, that strategy stops at level 3.
Sandbox Option: B42 introduces a setting to customize the "TV/VHS XP cap." You can set it higher if you want a B41-like experience.
No More Double Dipping
In B41, watching a Life and Living show live and later watching the VHS version gave XP twice. B42 stops this - the game tracks episodes you've seen regardless of source.
Strategy Shift: If starting fresh in B42 solo, you might skip live TV on purpose and use tapes later when you have reading multipliers. Or watch live for some skills (carpentry, cooking) but save others (fishing, foraging) for tape viewing later.
Multiplayer Impact: Prevents XP cloning where one player watches live, then passes the tape to others. Each player is tracked separately.
Loot Scarcity and "Looted" Stores
B42's world assumes more time has passed. The new Looted Buildings feature can spawn locations already ransacked - you'll find empty shelves and signs of previous scavengers.
By default it affects very large buildings (mall, etc.), but if sandbox is tuned, it could hit smaller ones.
For most standard VHS stores (which are small), you likely won't encounter this unless playing with extreme settings or a start date far post-apocalypse.
Adaptation: Be prepared to scavenge homes for tapes or travel to another town if stores are empty.
No New Skills on Tape
Build 42 introduces new crafting systems (animals, farming improvements, brewing, etc.), but none come with VHS tapes to instantly boost them.
Don't expect to find "Aiming Show E1" or "Animal Husbandry 101" tapes - they don't exist in vanilla.
The community promptly made mods (like "Operation Z VHS") that add aiming skill tapes.
Impact: In B42, you'll still be training new skills the old-fashioned way (or via books). VHS remain relevant for the classic set of skills from B41.
B42 Philosophy
Build 42's philosophy is to cap the freebies. VHS tapes now serve to get a character's fundamentals in place (level 2-3 in key skills), but after that you need to do the thing to master it.
Many experienced players welcome this because it preserves game challenge longer. Others who enjoyed the more "cozy" progression of B41 might find B42 harsh â but remember, you can customize sandbox to your liking.
If you love playing with abundant XP from tapes, flip those settings (set "TV XP multiplier" high or remove the cap).
đĄ Pro Tips for Skill Tapes (Both Builds)
No matter B41 or B42, some general tips hold:
âąī¸ Timing Matters
Watching an XP tape when you're well-fed, calm, and have the skill book read will ensure maximum gain. Avoid watching when character is depressed or starving (these don't reduce XP but might cause you to not pay attention).
â One and Done
Once a tape's watched, mark it. On B41 I used to throw watched tapes into a "seen" crate. In B42, you can safely trade away or discard duplicates after use. A community mod "Known and Collected" can mark items you have already used.
đĨ Share with Friends
In multiplayer, host a "movie night"; it's genuinely fun to gather survivors to watch a tape, everyone gets the XP (distance to TV matters). Each player only benefits once, but you can pass tapes around.
đ The Lore Within the Tapes: Collectibles and Easter Eggs
While skill gain is the primary gameplay reason to seek VHS tapes, there's a whole layer of storytelling and world-building attached to them. Experienced players often enjoy hunting down all the Home VHS tapes to piece together little narratives or just for the fun of it.
Home VHS: Snippets of a Lost World
Home VHS tapes often have descriptive titles that hint at their content in a darkly humorous or poignant way. Some fan-favorites:
- "OSCC '92" - Recording of a Stock Car Championship race. Gives ambiance of Knox County culture.
- "Granny Nani" - Implied homemade kids' show. Gives tiny Tailoring XP.
- "Muldraugh AV Club Meeting" - High school AV club project, gives Electrical XP.
- "TV Repair" - Home-recorded public access show about fixing TVs, grants Electrical XP.
Individually these seem like throwaway flavor, but together they paint a picture of normal life before the fall.
Movie and Show References
The retail tapes include many parody names that reference real-world 80s/90s pop culture:
- "Thunderdogs" - Likely a riff on Thundercats. Entertainment tape.
- "Mall Popper 5" - Perhaps a parody of Mall Cop or zombie movies.
- "Exposure Survival series" - Take on survival shows, covers many skills.
- "The Cook Show" - Inspired by Julia Child or classic cooking programs.
From a lore perspective, these tapes imply people had been learning from them as the world fell apart - a survivor watching "Woodcraft" while zombies roam outside.
Collect or Ditch?
Should you keep tapes after watching?
In Build 41, keeping one of each "useful" tape as a trophy on a shelf can be satisfying. They don't weigh much and it's nice to fill a bookshelf with a full set.
However, tapes can become clutter. After watching entertainment ones once, they're not mechanically needed.
Trade value: On multiplayer servers, other players might want particular tapes. A Mechanics skill tape is gold for someone who spawned late and missed TV.
If you're a completionist, gathering every tape can be a long-term goal. There are about 21 skill-related tapes and many more non-skill ones.
A Note on CDs
You'll also find Music CDs in similar places. These don't give skill XP â they're for boredom reduction and atmosphere (playable in CD players or car stereos).
They feature fictional bands and songs reflecting 90s culture. If looting a VHS store, you might find a shelf of CDs too.
Feel free to grab a few; they weigh almost nothing. Later, when sitting at base during a rainstorm, you can play a CD for some tunes.
They're fun, but definitely secondary to VHS tapes in utility.
đ§ Surviving and Thriving with VHS: Putting It All Together
Let's combine the strategic and the flavorful into a coherent plan for you, the experienced survivor:
Early Game Grab
If you spawn near a VHS store (e.g., Riverside spawn is close to its Hit Vids), consider looting it on Day 1-3.
Weigh the risk: an untouched store early can provide huge XP advantage, but if the area is crawling, secure a weapon first.
In B41, early VHS loot is almost always worth it. In B42, it's still valuable but less game-breaking due to XP caps.
Secure a TV/VCR
Make sure your base has the means to play tapes. If not, prioritize finding a portable VHS player or a modern TV.
Check electronic stores or the VHS store itself (some have TVs on display).
You don't want to have tapes and not be able to watch them.
Books + Tapes = Synergy
Use tapes in conjunction with skill books. Find Carpentry Vol.1 and 2, read Vol.1 completely, then watch Carpentry tapes to blast through levels 1-2.
This synergy is bread-and-butter for efficient leveling. It's how veterans get well-rounded characters by mid-game.
Don't Forget Gameplay Practice
With B42 limiting XP, remember to actually practice skills too. Tapes might get you to level 3 in Fishing, but you'll need to go fish to reach level 4+.
Use tapes as the boost, but engage in the activity to truly excel.
Tape Safety
Don't watch tapes at night with lights on next to windows. Zombies see light and hear noise.
If extremely tired in-game, avoid watching a tape; there were past issues where you could nod off and miss part of it (losing potential XP).
Multiplayer Coordination
In MP, share duties. One focuses on gathering tapes, another on books, then meet up for education evening.
Only one tape plays on a TV at a time, so take turns. Enjoy the social aspect - pretend you're movie buffs in the apocalypse!
When to Pass on the VHS Strategy
For balance, let's acknowledge scenarios where chasing VHS tapes might not be worth it:
- Challenge Runs: In Six Months Later or similar challenges, power is off and TV shows are long gone. Going out for VHS when you can't power a TV might be low priority.
- All Thumbs / Slow Reader: If your character is a poor reader, the synergy with books is harder. You might rely more on just doing the action rather than waiting for book multipliers.
- Already Skilled Start: If you're already at or above the tape cap for a skill, those tapes won't help as much. A Carpenter starts with Carpentry 3 â tapes for levels 1-3 will do nothing new in B42.
- Inventory Management: If nomading or without a fixed base, carrying 20 tapes might be impractical. You can always come back; unlike perishables, tapes will wait.
đ§ Further Resources
For those looking to expand their knowledge or tweak their experience, here are some curated resources:
đ Official Resources
- PZ Wiki â VHS Tapes: Detailed tables of all tapes and their effects.
- Interactive Map: Use map.projectzomboid.com with VHS store filter to plan routes.
𧊠Recommended Mods
- Rosewood/West Point VHS Stores: Adds new store locations.
- Named Skill VHS: Renames tapes with their skill (e.g., "Woodcraft E1 (Carpentry)").
- BookCollector / Known and Collected: Marks books and tapes you've already used.
- Operation Z VHS (B42): Adds aiming skill tapes to balance the lack in vanilla.
đ Community Guides
- All Useful VHS Tapes (Steam): Handy rundown of tapes by category.
- VHS Store Locations by Town: Image guides for finding each store.
VHS Patch History
| Date (Build) | Change Note | Impact on Gameplay |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2022 (41.54) | Added VHS, CDs, etc. â functionality and data for tapes. | Late-game survivors got a second chance at skill XP. Base entertainment value increased. |
| Aug 2022 (41.66) | Adjusted loot distribution for VHS tapes in stores. | Players could no longer get all skill tapes from a single store. Encouraged searching multiple locations. |
| Nov 2024 (42.1) | TV/VHS XP limited to level 3; live TV and VHS share viewer history. | Major shift: early-game rushing of XP toned down. Must choose between live TV or VHS for XP. |
| Mar 2025 (42.4) | "Looted buildings" feature tweaked (less extreme by default, configurable). | Some buildings may be pre-looted. While typical VHS stores aren't huge, players starting months later might find empty shelves. |
â Action Steps Recap
For the TL;DR crowd:
Scout a VHS Store near your spawn; plan a loot run when you have a weapon and a backpack.
Grab skill tapes first (Woodcraft, Cook Show, Exposure Survival, etc.) and any VCR/TV equipment you need.
Read skill books before watching the tapes to supercharge your XP gains.
In B42, decide: either skip early TV to save XP for tapes or just enjoy TV and accept the cap â but adjust sandbox if you want more than level 3.
Keep a generator ready for post-electricity VHS sessions (and read the Generator mag!).
Enjoy the content: when safe, watch the home tapes for story, not just the skill ones. It adds depth to your playthrough.
Trade or mod as needed: use mods to fill gaps or mark which tapes you've watched.
Stay safe while watching â secure the perimeter, then press play.
By following these steps, you'll turn VHS stores from mere map trivia into one of your strongest survival advantages.
Final Thoughts
On one of my longest runs, I had a ritual: every Sunday night, my character would retreat to our fortified farmhouse, put a pot of soup on the wood stove, and watch an old VHS tape we'd found that week. Outside, the wind howled and the dead shuffled in the distance, but for 30 precious minutes, I got lost in a cooking show from a world that's gone. It's little moments like that which make Project Zomboid more than just a survival game.
So go forth, build your tape collection... and don't forget to rewind!