LOL a classic analog vs digital argument, I'm 33 now and I used my VCR to death in the 80s and 90s every platform has it's place in my book, I do love DVD but I still use VHS a lot because it's quick and easy I don't care about HD and all that crap if it's got a watchable picture and decent sound then that's cool with me, I do have a home DVD recorder too but it takes to long to to get going, with VHS it's tape in.. its recording I've had my Sony VCR for 20 years now and its been as good as gold
Check and see what the U.S. government archival guys recommend. A good idea is to look at what the television stations are using. Once upon a time they used Betacam SP. Now, they use various DV Digital tapes. Some use a type of DVD. Always try and locate the Pro plastic or carbon fiber storage boxes. Store in locked water tight containers to avoid hurricane or tornado water damage. Get a good quality dehumidifier. As they grow up, get the kids involved. It is their family, too.
@cameron20101000 ... my first VCR i got in 1979 was a MAGNAVOX and the motor went out after having it only 4 months , i had to get new motor put in ,then i got rid of it and got QUASAR 2 head top loader in 1980 and it lasted till 2000 ,and died ( the only thing i had to do with the Quasar was get the belts and the clutch wheel replaced every few years..!! MAGNAVOX sucks
I still have some of the audio cassettes of music from 92 pro FM in 1992, and they still play great. In 2005 I had some CD-Rs from 2001 that wouldn't play because the adhesive inkjet printed labels ate through to the recording layer. Luckily they were songs from the computer which I had on the hard drive so I burned the CD again. I agree, save your originals, same goes with film, they might not have the technology available to read a flash drive, but you can still hold negatives up to the light
Thank you sir, i admire that u really take good care of those old vhs tapes. But one thing for sure, u can't find vcr in the retail store now if ur vcr is spoil. So what is the point for keeping all these old vhs tapes without a vcr? I am now facing this problem. It is true that we won't know what is like in 20 years time. I wonder youtube can last for 20 years. I would like to watch your video on M. Ali boxing, if u can upload, thanks.
That is why in the IT industry they back up their data from their data centers onto tape. It generally if taken care of properly will last for a long time.
All the VHS I can buy now are those junky, flimsy kind with the paper-thin boxes. The only alternative is to go to tape websites and dish out a huge amount of cash for "archival quality" tapes and then pay shipping. I try to go for quantity of formats rather than investing a huge amount in one.
Important: DVD recorders do live compression resulting in sub-standard quality. Another reason to not throw out the tapes is that they look better than DVD. You should use a multi-pass compressor for DVD.
Thank you for posting this! I don't think people realize how important this is. DVDs are only stated to last about 10 years or so, whereas I have VHS that are about 22 years old right now and play just as well now as they did then. I take this archival thing to an extreme for my own stuff (this is all for one video item): 1) computer hard-drive file, 2) DVD, 3) VHS, 4) MiniDV, 5) iPod file at SD resolution. Each hard drive has an identical backup copy.
@CameramanLink ,Yes that is what I was talking about, DVD's are not yet proven, tape is.
Not sure what you mean by "multi Pass" on DVD recording, I use a Magnavox DVD and VHS recorder combo and I use the one hour or two hour mode on DVD recording.
@old64goat What I mean by multi-pass is the use of a DVD conversion software on the computer that takes a whole, large video file (DV format) and turns it into the files used for DVD playback. The results are a lot less blocking and more clarity as opposed to the use of a set-top DVD recorder (single pass). It's more time-intensive though--record the video into the computer then add rendering time. The results are stunning if you have a good original tape.
personally, I believe Beta is the best for archiving, as it's better PQ and tends to last longer. Videoholic has the original beta promo that plays back beautifully. It's amazing that you have tapes going back to the 70s! Mostly you hear about VHS tapes from the 80s and 90s,,
@MRLOL785, Back when I bought my first VCR in 1978 video tapes were expensive as I had mentioned in this video, but those tapes were heaveyer and I think the tape itself was thicker.
The quality of those early tapes was better than the same brands made in the 90's.
Foe an example: 1970's TDK, Scotch, RCA, etc. were better quality than.
Tapes got cheaper and thinner, lots of drop out's and overall crappy.
Great video! I couldn't agree with you more. Last summer I copied all of my parent's home videos on VHS over to DVD. Even on 4 hour mode, they still came out pixelated! The only way to preserve the quality is use 1 hour or 2 hour mode. Each of the tapes had either 4 hours or 6 hours of video on them, so if I would have used the high quality modes, I would have used enough blank DVD's to take up about as much space as the VHS tapes would have. Plus blanks are expensive!
I agree with you 100% Magnetic tape is still the BEST and most durable recording media in existence! I don't trust DVD's or CDs I've read somewhere that they will not be playable in 20 years even if you store them properly
On midnight 1-1-2030, I'm going to remind you of this video LOL.
I have a VHS tape that I would love to save to DVD. It was back when 2 of 3 of my Grandmothers were still living. I had some cousins and an Aunt & Uncle visit from the state of Washington.
The tape is around 22 years old.It was back when my great grandmothers home had some prime left in it.
We all payed a visit to an area my parents and I moved to some 10 years later.
@jefferyb304, Old style camcorders can still be found at yard sales, most always not working.
The first video camera I got was in 1978 when I bought that 40lb. RCA VCR, the camera was a Channel Master CCTV B&W no sound, I had to plug on a mic. into the VCR.
This was good to know! While I use DVD to record TV shows and other things, it has been proven (at least on my part) that VHS VCRs are more durable, especially if you're in a hurry and a AWESOME show comes on. Heck, I still have some shows that were recorded on BETA as far back as 1997 that still plays and looks great!
My gripe with dubbing tapes is that each generation copy is far worse than the original. A first generation copy is often crappy. So the best are only the original taken off the air. Digital has the advantage of making good copies of the original, and tapes also can be eaten or break needing a splice. So both have pros and cons. I like digital video better, but tapes and rekeezare fun too. I am amazed at old film, even older than 50 years is still OK to watch. CDs scratch, worse than rekeez.
@umajunkcollector, Yes true, copying tape to tape is bad because of what you say, but when I copy a tape to DVD, that is analog to digital, once it is copied to DVD it is a digital signal, unless you copy the DVD off a DVD player, if you copy a DVD in the computer the copy stays digital and copying digital to digital can go on without any loss.
I don't bother to dub them to DVD. I have hundreds of VHS tapes, as well as cassettes. I also do not dub the cassettes to CD. I got some cassette and VCR decks from junk stores nand garage sales for backups, the machines are what fail, not the tapes. Usually they need new belts.
Hi Bill,I have recorded all my videos to cds,also,but I didn't throw the video cassettes away either.What I do,the ones I really want to keep on dvd,I make duplicate copies.Always enjoy your videos.Have a great Memorial Day weekend.Two Thumbs Up! Jerry
@CFAMediaV7 Yes I agree as to quality of the DVD, they are better as far as quality, but I speak of the DVD-R or DVD+R disk, the ones you record yourself.
No one really know how long those disks will last.
As for movies you buy...you can't beat a DVD, I have lots of them.
@supraman200, That is so true, it may be a pain in the ARSE to store the master tapes, but I would not want to depend on placing my family memories on DVD, flash drive, hard drive, etc. and throwing out the master tape.
@ncautoman57, Hi Rich, YES that is the only sure way, no saying the tape will last forever, nothing does, but in my case the tape 32 years old and still plays great.
@RAYGproductions Hi Ray, Yes but who knows how long those SSL drives will last and 10 or 20 years from now they will be incapatable with the new stuff thay will have by than.
hey man nice tapes. I buy everything on DVD. Hard to get VHS tapes now. I only kept the recorded ones at my grandparents house
disneyfanjilly1 1 month ago
LOL a classic analog vs digital argument, I'm 33 now and I used my VCR to death in the 80s and 90s every platform has it's place in my book, I do love DVD but I still use VHS a lot because it's quick and easy I don't care about HD and all that crap if it's got a watchable picture and decent sound then that's cool with me, I do have a home DVD recorder too but it takes to long to to get going, with VHS it's tape in.. its recording I've had my Sony VCR for 20 years now and its been as good as gold
ElvisRocksVinyl 1 month ago
did you record the star wars holiday speacial
tractorman287 2 months ago
Awesome video! Cool to hear about how expensive tapes were back in the day.
bgggbb 2 months ago
I belive the less light that's exposed to the tape the better too.
MrTpengineer 2 months ago
I'm still holding on to my trusty old VCR and VHS tapes! Still works in 2011.
cgillyard 4 months ago
Check and see what the U.S. government archival guys recommend. A good idea is to look at what the television stations are using. Once upon a time they used Betacam SP. Now, they use various DV Digital tapes. Some use a type of DVD. Always try and locate the Pro plastic or carbon fiber storage boxes. Store in locked water tight containers to avoid hurricane or tornado water damage. Get a good quality dehumidifier. As they grow up, get the kids involved. It is their family, too.
chriswarren44 6 months ago
I sti have a lot of VHS takes I bought a 1985 or so vintage Zenith VCR that came with a remote for $3.00 very high quality weighs at least 30Lbs.
raymondleeleggs 8 months ago
i like panasonic zenith sony samsung magnavox sylvania jvc sharp symphonic and rca vcrs better
cameron20101000 11 months ago
@cameron20101000 ... my first VCR i got in 1979 was a MAGNAVOX and the motor went out after having it only 4 months , i had to get new motor put in ,then i got rid of it and got QUASAR 2 head top loader in 1980 and it lasted till 2000 ,and died ( the only thing i had to do with the Quasar was get the belts and the clutch wheel replaced every few years..!! MAGNAVOX sucks
phantomempire 8 months ago
I still have some of the audio cassettes of music from 92 pro FM in 1992, and they still play great. In 2005 I had some CD-Rs from 2001 that wouldn't play because the adhesive inkjet printed labels ate through to the recording layer. Luckily they were songs from the computer which I had on the hard drive so I burned the CD again. I agree, save your originals, same goes with film, they might not have the technology available to read a flash drive, but you can still hold negatives up to the light
Amishman35 1 year ago
Thank you sir, i admire that u really take good care of those old vhs tapes. But one thing for sure, u can't find vcr in the retail store now if ur vcr is spoil. So what is the point for keeping all these old vhs tapes without a vcr? I am now facing this problem. It is true that we won't know what is like in 20 years time. I wonder youtube can last for 20 years. I would like to watch your video on M. Ali boxing, if u can upload, thanks.
howkemon6559 1 year ago
@howkemon6559, Thank I appreciate that.
As for VCR's, you can buy them at yard sales and thrift shops, Panasoncs from the late 80's to the 90's one of the best,
I once had a Mitchabechi (spelling) U-31, that was one of the best VCR's made.
So in short there are tons of good used VCR's out there, no more new one but pleanty of used ones.
old64goat 1 year ago
That is why in the IT industry they back up their data from their data centers onto tape. It generally if taken care of properly will last for a long time.
cgillyard 1 year ago
@OBSysteme, Yes wife records her silly soaps 5 days a week, she has to replace the tape every 2 to 3 years, not bad for old techknolagy.
old64goat 1 year ago
All the VHS I can buy now are those junky, flimsy kind with the paper-thin boxes. The only alternative is to go to tape websites and dish out a huge amount of cash for "archival quality" tapes and then pay shipping. I try to go for quantity of formats rather than investing a huge amount in one.
Important: DVD recorders do live compression resulting in sub-standard quality. Another reason to not throw out the tapes is that they look better than DVD. You should use a multi-pass compressor for DVD.
CameramanLink 1 year ago
Thank you for posting this! I don't think people realize how important this is. DVDs are only stated to last about 10 years or so, whereas I have VHS that are about 22 years old right now and play just as well now as they did then. I take this archival thing to an extreme for my own stuff (this is all for one video item): 1) computer hard-drive file, 2) DVD, 3) VHS, 4) MiniDV, 5) iPod file at SD resolution. Each hard drive has an identical backup copy.
CameramanLink 1 year ago
@CameramanLink ,Yes that is what I was talking about, DVD's are not yet proven, tape is.
Not sure what you mean by "multi Pass" on DVD recording, I use a Magnavox DVD and VHS recorder combo and I use the one hour or two hour mode on DVD recording.
old64goat 1 year ago
@old64goat What I mean by multi-pass is the use of a DVD conversion software on the computer that takes a whole, large video file (DV format) and turns it into the files used for DVD playback. The results are a lot less blocking and more clarity as opposed to the use of a set-top DVD recorder (single pass). It's more time-intensive though--record the video into the computer then add rendering time. The results are stunning if you have a good original tape.
CameramanLink 1 year ago
personally, I believe Beta is the best for archiving, as it's better PQ and tends to last longer. Videoholic has the original beta promo that plays back beautifully. It's amazing that you have tapes going back to the 70s! Mostly you hear about VHS tapes from the 80s and 90s,,
MRLOL785 1 year ago
@MRLOL785, Back when I bought my first VCR in 1978 video tapes were expensive as I had mentioned in this video, but those tapes were heaveyer and I think the tape itself was thicker.
The quality of those early tapes was better than the same brands made in the 90's.
Foe an example: 1970's TDK, Scotch, RCA, etc. were better quality than.
Tapes got cheaper and thinner, lots of drop out's and overall crappy.
old64goat 1 year ago
@old64goat The picture on the old VCR's from pre-96 is brilliant compared to the crap they make today.
MRLOL785 1 year ago
Great video! I couldn't agree with you more. Last summer I copied all of my parent's home videos on VHS over to DVD. Even on 4 hour mode, they still came out pixelated! The only way to preserve the quality is use 1 hour or 2 hour mode. Each of the tapes had either 4 hours or 6 hours of video on them, so if I would have used the high quality modes, I would have used enough blank DVD's to take up about as much space as the VHS tapes would have. Plus blanks are expensive!
JeffN727 1 year ago
@JeffN727, Hi Jeff, Yes it is best to copy the tape to DVD using either the 1hr. or 2hr. record mode on the DVD recorder.
As I said in my video, the 6 hour record mode on a DVD sucke compared to the 6hr. mode on a VCR.
Of course as mentioned you will have lots of DVD's just to do one tape.
But id the tape is very important I always go for it.
old64goat 1 year ago
I agree with you 100% Magnetic tape is still the BEST and most durable recording media in existence! I don't trust DVD's or CDs I've read somewhere that they will not be playable in 20 years even if you store them properly
ControlledExplosions 1 year ago
@ControlledExplosions, Of course who knows if even tapes will play 20 years from now, but I will bet they WILL if stored properly.
I doubt very much if the recordable DVD's will be playable in 20 years.
Of course you will have to save a few VCR's so you can play those tapes in 20 years.
old64goat 1 year ago
On midnight 1-1-2030, I'm going to remind you of this video LOL.
I have a VHS tape that I would love to save to DVD. It was back when 2 of 3 of my Grandmothers were still living. I had some cousins and an Aunt & Uncle visit from the state of Washington.
The tape is around 22 years old.It was back when my great grandmothers home had some prime left in it.
We all payed a visit to an area my parents and I moved to some 10 years later.
My Aunt & Uncle have passed away sense then also.
jefferyb304 1 year ago
The tape has just the slightest amount of static in picture at times, mostly impeccable picture and sound.
I have a rather old VCR and many tapes that are going nowhere.
I had no video camera myself until some 6 years ago when I got my first digital camera. I have 3 digital cameras now.
I still wish I had an old style camcorder.
jefferyb304 1 year ago
@jefferyb304, Old style camcorders can still be found at yard sales, most always not working.
The first video camera I got was in 1978 when I bought that 40lb. RCA VCR, the camera was a Channel Master CCTV B&W no sound, I had to plug on a mic. into the VCR.
old64goat 1 year ago
@jefferyb304, As I mentioned in the video tapes costs alot of money back than, they sold good quality tapes like TDK and Scotch.
In later years VHS tapes got cheap both in quality and price.
In 20 years I will be dead and so will Youtube, instead all videos will be transmitted to a micro chip imbedded in everyone's head.
No need for the internet...LOL
old64goat 1 year ago
I have heaps of VHS-C tapes as well.
SlimeTron5000 1 year ago
@SlimeTron5000, Yes CHS-C is a good format only thing is the length of tape was limited.
I went from full size VHS to 8mm video tape, that from there to Mini-DV tape which is digital.
I have 4 mini-dv camcorders.
old64goat 1 year ago
This was good to know! While I use DVD to record TV shows and other things, it has been proven (at least on my part) that VHS VCRs are more durable, especially if you're in a hurry and a AWESOME show comes on. Heck, I still have some shows that were recorded on BETA as far back as 1997 that still plays and looks great!
eskiewolf76 1 year ago
@eskiewolf76, That is for sure, my VCR still has the TV tuner in it, but we have cable tv so it works fine.
I don't record much tv, too many aggravating commericals.
old64goat 1 year ago
My gripe with dubbing tapes is that each generation copy is far worse than the original. A first generation copy is often crappy. So the best are only the original taken off the air. Digital has the advantage of making good copies of the original, and tapes also can be eaten or break needing a splice. So both have pros and cons. I like digital video better, but tapes and rekeezare fun too. I am amazed at old film, even older than 50 years is still OK to watch. CDs scratch, worse than rekeez.
umajunkcollector 1 year ago
@umajunkcollector, Yes true, copying tape to tape is bad because of what you say, but when I copy a tape to DVD, that is analog to digital, once it is copied to DVD it is a digital signal, unless you copy the DVD off a DVD player, if you copy a DVD in the computer the copy stays digital and copying digital to digital can go on without any loss.
old64goat 1 year ago
I don't bother to dub them to DVD. I have hundreds of VHS tapes, as well as cassettes. I also do not dub the cassettes to CD. I got some cassette and VCR decks from junk stores nand garage sales for backups, the machines are what fail, not the tapes. Usually they need new belts.
umajunkcollector 1 year ago
Hi Bill,I have recorded all my videos to cds,also,but I didn't throw the video cassettes away either.What I do,the ones I really want to keep on dvd,I make duplicate copies.Always enjoy your videos.Have a great Memorial Day weekend.Two Thumbs Up! Jerry
jc6154 1 year ago
@jc6154, Hi Jerry, Thats the way to do it, I have several hundreds of VHS tapes, most of them have tv shows on them.
Those I do not back up, just the special events.
Thanks for watching. I appreciate it.
You also have a great Memorial weekend.
Bill
old64goat 1 year ago
I still have all my VHS tapes, although all of them are TV shows/movies
Im 19, and i love VHS, but i gotta admit, DVD is the best video format ever made.
CFAMediaV7 1 year ago
@CFAMediaV7 Yes I agree as to quality of the DVD, they are better as far as quality, but I speak of the DVD-R or DVD+R disk, the ones you record yourself.
No one really know how long those disks will last.
As for movies you buy...you can't beat a DVD, I have lots of them.
old64goat 1 year ago
thumbs up from me goat! Keep em comin although id like to see some more woodworking type vids every now and again
Mad1rishMan 1 year ago
@Mad1rishMan, I will try, yea I will have to try to find something to build out of wood.
Bill
old64goat 1 year ago
Very true about the DVDs. People think that they will last forever but so many things can happen to them as well.
supraman200 1 year ago
@supraman200, That is so true, it may be a pain in the ARSE to store the master tapes, but I would not want to depend on placing my family memories on DVD, flash drive, hard drive, etc. and throwing out the master tape.
Bill
old64goat 1 year ago
I agree with you Bill. I keep all my old master tapes. They work just as good as when I recorded them. Thank you for the video. Rich
ncautoman57 1 year ago
@ncautoman57, Hi Rich, YES that is the only sure way, no saying the tape will last forever, nothing does, but in my case the tape 32 years old and still plays great.
Bill
old64goat 1 year ago
Very interesting video, Bill. Thanks for posting.
David
lzdsl0 1 year ago
@lzdsl0 Thanks David.
old64goat 1 year ago
You are right.Now we have new Drives SSL drive.No moving parts..Btw Good video..
RAYGproductions 1 year ago
@RAYGproductions Hi Ray, Yes but who knows how long those SSL drives will last and 10 or 20 years from now they will be incapatable with the new stuff thay will have by than.
Thanks for stopping by.
Bill
old64goat 1 year ago