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Archiving VHS. Please help.
I have over 50 hours of VHS footage (valuable family video stuff) I want to get it backed up before it completely disintergrates. At first I was just going to record it straight to DVD, but I want to be able to edit it later and keep it at the best quality possible. So I’ve decided to dub it to Sony DVCAM digital master tapes. Is this my best option for long term archiving and editing ability in the future? At $16 a tape, is DVCAM Master Tape a bit of overkill? I was wondering if normal DV tape would suffice.
Thanks in advance for your help.
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4 Replies
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You’re probably fine with normal DV but I would suggest buying the more expensive stuff.
What machine are you using? Can you record full-sized DV cassettes? If so I’d suggest Panasonic AY-DV124MQ 124-min Full Size DV tapes. If you can only record on minis, they have the AY-DVM63AMQ 63 Minutes Mini DV tapes. They’re a bit more expensive than normal DV but they’re made a bit sturdier for mastering purposes. (Search bhphotovideo.com for those numbers.)
Stick with those lenghts. They make longer ones but they have to use a thinner tape to fit it in the case, which could affect long-term storage. DVCAM will certainly be “safer” but I think you can trust those tapes to be “safe enough” as long as the tapes are well-cared for (kept out of the sun, stored fully rewound, on their vertical edge, in a cool, dry place).
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Allow me to add:
Dub the tapes to fresh VHS stock while you’re at it. VHS is going to be around for a long time. Optical formats come and go, DV may or may not be viable in a few years, who knows?
COSTCO has an interesting device from Sony for $200. It is a DVD burner dedicated to converting any conventional S or composite directly to DVD. RCA jacks and S connector.
They also have a Lite-On DVD recorder for about $180 that has a VHS deck that will dub directly to DVD.
bogiesan
This is my standard sigfile so do not take it personally: “For crying out loud, read the freakin’ manual.”
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If you want to edit it now or someday… I think DVCAM tape is the way to go with it. Better stock..
Jerry
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Yes. I want it to be editable so that 20 years from now for my nephew’s wedding, I can make an embarrassing montage of him picking his nose. If I burn it to DVD, I’d really be compressing it and the quality won’t be there.
I think I’m going to go with the Digital Master DVCAM. If that format starts to become obsolete, I’ll just have to convert it when that time comes.
Any suggestions on storing the tapes? Cool dark place and vertically stacked, right?
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