Before the days of smart phones and social media, the act of recording footage was reserved for life’s most precious moments. From weddings to birthdays and other special events, we would only take out a camera to capture our major life milestones.
Nowadays, with technology at our fingertips, we are able to record anything that happens in our day to day lives. Videos of the most trivial events can be easily recorded, viewed and shared over and over again, while your most treasured lifetime memories are probably tucked away in storage somewhere on film reels or VHS video tapes.
Given the outdated format of your recordings, you probably only get the opportunity to take them out and view them once in a blue moon. And although you may think your old reels and videos are safe and sound in that shoebox at the back of the cupboard, your footage is actually degrading with time.
Vinegar Syndrome
In the early twentieth century, film reels were not designed with longevity in mind, often using unstable chemicals to improve the quality of the picture. Many films shot during the 1930s/40s will eventually succumb to what’s known as ‘vinegar syndrome’, a decomposition process that releases a vinegar-like odour.
As your video ages, it will continue to deteriorate until it’s damaged beyond repair. Older recordings are at greater risk, but footage from 5 years ago has already begun to break down and lose quality. Now is the time to take action and ensure your priceless recordings aren’t lost forever.
How can you preserve your video footage?
One of the best ways to preserve your footage is to transfer it to a modern format. Whether you have recordings on 16mm or 8mm film or on VHS video tapes, your footage can be transferred to DVD, Blu-Ray, USB or digital files. In doing so, you’ll be able to preserve your footage and prevent any further damage. If your video has already begun to decay or develop mould growth, there are steps that professionals can take to revive the footage if the damage has not spread too far.
While DVD is a newer format, it has already been replaced by more advanced technology and is becoming a less frequently used medium. Digital files are generally the best format for video transfers as they are very versatile and can be viewed on a range of devices.
What’s more, digital files offer the highest quality and results in 2K, which is a level of resolution that is superior to High Definition (HD). Unfortunately, you won’t be able to get this same level of picture quality if you transfer your videos to DVD.
We can help!
If you need to transfer your precious film reels and videos, contact DiskBank today. With more than 20 years’ experience as video transfer specialists, DiskBank will ensure you get the best possible results from your video conversion. Call DiskBank today on (08) 9388 0800 or enquire online.