How long do old video formats last? Not long enough!

Do you have old video or audio media lying around? DVDs, VHS tapes, camcorder tapes, cassette tapes or film reels? Do you know what’s on them?

Today it’s so easy to take video whenever and wherever we want - just pull out your phone and record a minute or two. But for many of us we also have older video hidden away on media that can no longer be played either because we no longer have the equipment needed to do it, or because the media has degraded beyond the ability to save it.

It’s time to consider converting your old media so that it can be enjoyed and preserved. It’s not doing anyone any good stuck in an unplayable format up in the attic.

As we head into holiday season, picture this: the impossible to buy for family is gathered around after dinner, chatting away. You turn on your tv and all of a sudden the family videos from the 1920s through the 2010s start playing on the TV, Netflix style. Tell me, is there any better gift than that?

Let’s take a look at all that old media, and whether it may still be playable.

CDs, DVDs and mini DVDs

DVDs were a very popular way of storing and watching videos in the early 2000s. When my kids were in elementary school I used to make a video for their class and distribute it on DVDs. But currently most people no longer have DVD drives in their computers and have no way to view them. The lifespan of CDs, DVDs and mini DVDs is all over the place. You might see 30-100 years, which could be true, but that’s when stored in optimal conditions. Let’s face it, very few of us store them in their cases with no objects touching them, at room temperature and with just the right humidity. They are more likely stored tossed loose in a box. For the way discs were handled and so often stored the lower end of the lifetime is more like 2-10 years. The reality is the discs clients bring me to convert are sometimes in cases, sometimes in flimsy envelopes, and more often then not in nothing at all. And then there are the scratches and fingerprints. These, if recoverable, are on their way out, so get them converted fast!

VHS, VHS-C and Betamax

Remember the tape wars of the 1980s? Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s there were two competing formats of videotape - VHS and Betamax. They were different sizes and required different players and both wanted to win the heart of the consumer. We all know that VHS won and by the late 1980s VHS had over 90% of the market. But did you know that Betamax actually came out first?

Regardless, what matters now is whether these tapes are still playable. Like anything, their lifespan varies with how they were stored and the quality of tape to begin with. As they age both the sound and video quality degrade. But in general these tapes last 10-25 years, and given that they were big in the 1990s, it’s time to get them converted to MP4 before they are no longer recoverable. I recently converted a video of my wedding and was surprised to find that the first bit of the tape was video of my nieces jumping on the bed. My brother was the videographer who clearly had other priorities that day.

Camcorder Tapes: MiniDV, Hi-8, Digital8

Hi8, MiniDV, Video8 and other camcorder formats have a similar lifespan as VHS and Beta tapes. These, however, are even more likely to contain precious memories as camcorders were smaller, easier to take on the go, and less likely to be taped over with old tv shows. Often you’ll find special events or everyday activities like learning how to ride a bike on these tapes. Most people no longer have the original camcorder and have no way of viewing or sharing these. But these often transfer to the current MP4 format really well.

8mm, 16mm and other Reel Film

Reel film - 8mm, 16mm and others actually have a longer lifespan than other formats and can last as long as 70 years. Figures - it seems that older products were better made. True story - my mom’s washing machine lasted for over 35 years while I had to replace mine after 10. But the same caveats apply, these films will last longer if kept in a cool, dry, dark place. These films are a treasure to watch, even though few of them have sound. Very often clients don’t know what is on these tapes and are thrilled to find video of family members who have passed.

Audio Tapes: Cassettes and Micro Cassettes

Finally, don’t forget the old cassette tape! Last year a client brought in a handful of micro cassettes that were from her answering machine (remember those?). They turned out to be a treasure trove of voices of loved ones. And how about that old audio mixtape or kids singing into microphones plugged into a tape deck?

Do you want to find out what’s on your old media? I’ve converted many old videos with weddings, holidays, kids learning how to ride a bike, the family dog, large family gatherings, and so much more. Wouldn’t it be great to relive these memories over the holidays? Don’t delay! If you get them to me soon, I can have them back to you in time. And bonus - there are a variety of ways to watch them on your TV, including a brand new app that lets you watch and share just like Netflix! Currently available only to photo managers, so reach out if I’ve piqued your interest 😁.

Don’t delay, reach out to me today and let’s revive those videos!