Archive Those Tapes, But SAVE Those Masters!

Most of us has or have had VHS video tapes with precious family memories on them.
I have family recordings going back to 1978 when I got my first VCR an RCA Selectivision top loaded 40lb. 2 speed VCR.
Tapes back than cost close to $20 retail just for one TDK or RCA VHS tape!
This video explains what I do to save those memories.
The bottom line is do NOT throw out your master tapes after transfering them to DVD! No one knows how long a DVD will last!
Save them, tapes are proven and are reliable IF stored properly and kept clean and in their cases and away from magnetic fields, like speaker magnets, etc.
I have about 30 VHS tapes that were made before 1980 that play just as good today as they did when they were first recorded.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• VHS
• DVD
• Archive
• Media
• Flash
• Memory
• CD-Rot
• Obsolete
• Video
• Tape
• Recorders
• Hard-Drive-Failure

[howkemon6559]

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.

[old64goat]

@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.

[CameramanLink]

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.

[old64goat]

@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.

[MRLOL785]

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,,

[old64goat]

@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.

[disneyfanjilly1]

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

[ElvisRocksVinyl]

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

[tractorman287]

did you record the star wars holiday speacial

[bgggbb]

Awesome video! Cool to hear about how expensive tapes were back in the day.

[MrTpengineer]

I belive the less light that's exposed to the tape the better too.

[cgillyard]

I'm still holding on to my trusty old VCR and VHS tapes! Still works in 2011.

[chriswarren44]

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.

[phantomempire]

@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

[raymondleeleggs]

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.

[cameron20101000]

i like panasonic zenith sony samsung magnavox sylvania jvc sharp symphonic and rca vcrs better