Old video tape from the eighties and nineties MUST be converted to digital formats if precious home videos are to survive. Tape deteriorates and players are increasingly hard to get hold of. Old audio cassettes are in the same category.
Clients often ask for this work to be done as gifts for family members
Many home videos were recorded on VHS (Video Home System) camcorders that came on the market in the 1970s & 1980s, and most homes had a VHS player. Compact (VHS-C) tapes were also popular. Conversion to digital format is imperative if the content is to be saved.
Mini DV camcorders arrived on the scene in 1995 replacing the larger VHS cameras and becoming the de facto standard for home video production. These mini-dvs also need converting to digital if you want to be sure about saving their content.
These camcorders showed up in the late 80s as a consumer and pro-sumer product. WordsnDesign can handle Video8 tapes but video recorded on Hi8 camcorders can be offered only to clients who bring their still-functional Hi8 camera with them.
As long as clients can bring their functional camera with them, there is a good chance that WordsnDesign can capture video from these devices and convert it to digital.
COSTS (per tape): VHS conversion to digital mp4: $40 plus GST for each hour of running time. (Note: Some cassettes have 3 hours of recorded video on them, some only 15 minutes.) This cost covers data capture and basic editing in computer video-editing software. Clients wanting editing of raw video into a number of discrete subject-specific movies will pay more depending on amount of editing required. Most clients prefer digital files for playing on laptops, TVs, tablets and smartphones; CDs and DVDs are rapidly becoming unsupported technology.
Mini-dv to digital formats: ( $40 per hour plus GST- as above)
Audio cassettes to mp3: $30 plus GST per side for C60, $40 plus GST per side for C90.
NOTE: There is no fast-forward in this conversion process. We are dealing with older technology and older equipment. Data capture has to happen in real time and often baby-sitting is needed.
VHS tapes are at risk after about 15 years even if they haven't been played for most of that time. Deterioration of the magnetic signal can result in loss of colour and quality as the binder decays that holds the magnetic particles to the polyester base on the tape. Other factors are the quality of the original tape, whether the tape being converted is a copy of another VHS tape, and the conditions in which the VHS video has been stored. Some VHS video comes off very well even after 25 years. Mini DV tapes and Video8/Hi8 tapes generally fare better than VHS tapes. Whatever, you can expect the digital copy to faithfully reflect the current quality of the analog tape. VHS and mini-dv video converts to 720px x 576px digital dimensions. Technically this is closest digital equivalent to the old analog technology. You can't "stretch" the converted video to fill a high resolution screen; it will just blur. It will play on any device that plays mp4 files (most of them) but you will need to reduce the size of your viewing window to the pixel dimensions of the converted video.
Most people want to know how to preserve and backup important photos, videos and data files. Archiving options are constantly changing. Only several years ago files could be archived to CD or DVD but DVDs (played on what are called optical drives) are already old technology. These days many people are backing up to "The Cloud", tech-speak for a vast array of high capacity overseas computers that cover city blocks. These services usually have to be paid for, though many offer minimal storage for free. DropBox, Microsoft One Drive, Google Drive are examples. But they are off-site and can be subject to security breaches. A safer option is probably personal cloud storage - a physical device attached to your own computer that allows you to keep your files on site. You can do your own research on these personal cloud storage options. Usually you need to buy the device upfront. Typically they hold fast large-capacity drives. They are not cheap, but your precious video and files will be as safe there as anywhere. You can still archive to DVD or CD if you wish but the devices that play these disks are becoming harder to get and you risk being stranded as technology changes. Don't rely on USB sticks to store your data. They are good for moving files around but are not storage devices.
As at 2021, M DISC capable drives are still available. Like all optical discs, M DISCs are still susceptible to scratches, breakage, fire and theft, and rely on working optical drives being available to read them. They have been rigorously tested and are agreed to have between 100 and 1000 years of life, but they are expensive and a supply chain has to be found - and also - as time passes - a player.
Video conversions are now almost universally to the mp4 format. This is the most common, popular and widely playable. Vinyl and audio cassettes usually are reproduced in the mp3 format but there are higher quality format options, if your device can play them.
mp4s used to be reserved for smaller devices like tablets and smartphones, but they are now standard for website, TV and YouTube viewing
Clients will need to bring along a USB stick or portable drive to take the digital file home from WordsnDesign.
DVDs can still be produced from videos, and CDs from audio casstees and vinyl, but the technology to play them is getting difficult to source - unless you have an existing DVD/cd player that is still running. The devices are still available as peripheral devices, but their future is not looking bright. have menus, scene transitions and additional soundtrack if required. DVDs and jewel cases can be custom printed with attractive designs. This will add to costs. More often clients are happy without them.
Convert old home videos to digital mp4 for playing on computers, digital devices/TVs, or (by special request) to DVD with scene markers and cover art.
Vinyl to mp3s for USB sticks for playing on modern digital devices OR (by special request) to CD (with track markers and art)
Audio cassettes to mp3s for playing on digital devices eg media players, smartphones, tablets, computers or to audio CDs
