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Digitizing Old Video Tapes: Your Weekly Checklist

digitize old tapes

If you have a box (or several!) of old VHS tapes, MiniDV cassettes, Hi8 or even Betamax gathering dust, you probably know the clock is ticking. Video tapes (especially VHS) don't last forever. Most start to degrade after 10-20 years.

In some cases, we are 30+ years away from those tapes recording family memories! 

Digitizing your old video tapes will make sure those priceless memories from birthday parties, school plays, sport events, weddings are more are saved for future generations. Here's your step by step Digitizing Old Video Tapes Checklist to help you get started!

 

โœ… 1. Gather All Your Tapes

  • Search every storage spot - closets, basements, boxes etc.
  • Include all tape formats (even audio tapes!)
  • Collect them to one place
  • Don't forget to look in camcorder bags, inside the video cameras and entertainment centers as well.

 

 

โœ… 2. Sort & Label Tapes

  • Organize your tapes by format and/or dates. Usually, the formats don't have overlapping dates but if this occurs in your collection, use your best judgement to organize them.
  • Label the tapes with a two digit number (01, 02, 03, etc) or three digits if you have more than 100!) Use a label maker if possible or write the numbers clearly on the tapes.
  • Use removable labels or painter's tape if you want to avoid damaging the original case label.

 

 

โœ… 3. Decide How You'll Digitize - if you do it yourself, the costs can range from under $100 up to several hundred depending upon what equipment you need to purchase. Services can range from $15 to $45 per tape and often there are sales on digitization.

  • Do It Yourself - With a working video player and capturing device, you can transfer the videos yourself. However, this is tedious work with faulty players, compromised tape quality and overall transfer quality is spotty at best - especially with old VHS and VHS-C tapes. One of the costs of doing the transfers yourself may be your sanity and patience!
  • Find a Local Provider - Often camera stores and local pharmacies have digitization services. However, they may send your precious memories elsewhere for the actual digitization.
  • Use an Online Provider - There are many companies who have been around for decades offering digitization services. We are ambassadors for FOREVER Digitization Services and recommend their Digitization Boxes. Click here to learn more about their process.

 

โœ… 4. Proceed with Digitization Services

  • Look for Mold - If there are white spots (and possibly black spots), your tape will need cleaning and that will be an additional charge. Note it on your order form if you have this situation. I've also seen where a company will charge for mold that I didn't notice.
  • Follow the directions to get your tapes to the company and wait for the memories to be sent back to you.
  • Be aware of what you should be getting back - Don't just get a DVD of your memories. DVDs will need to be transferred to a digital file at some point. If you do want a DVD, also get a USB Drive with the digital files (usually MP4s). Most providers will also send you a link to download your transferred videos as well.

 

โœ… 5. Save Your Digitized Videos

  • Be properly backed up - You should save your MP4 files with the 3-2-1 Backup Strategy: three places, two media types and one outside of the house.
  • For example, this could be on your computer, on an external hard drive and in a cloud storage site like FOREVER Permanent Storage.

 

 

โœ… 6. Enjoy Your Family Videos

 

Every year you wait, it gets harder to preserve your old tapes. With a plan like this, you'll feel confident to finally get this task done! And, you'll be the family hero during holiday gatherings!!

 

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