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Save all of those memories before it's to late!
To Save or Not to Save!
As time goes on all those old home videos on VHS tape are slowly going to die on you. One day you are going to have no choice but to convert those treasures on to DVD or Blue Ray disk. If you don't, one day your going to slip one of those tapes into a machine only to find all those precious memories are GONE!.
VHS or (Video Home System) was lunched in 1976 and has given us over three decades of movie and home movie fun. But sadly those tapes sitting on the shelf have a shelf life! Tapes are designed to last for at least 20 years. This is if the tapes are stored properly. Being stored correctly is one thing but having accidents is another. Have you ever had your VCR chew your tape to death? Ughhhhh!
Please read on and find out what options you have on saving you homemade treasures from this almost obsolete technology!
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This artical is intended for the reader to think about there home movies and getting them "backed-up"
If your like me then you may have 100's of movies of VHS tapes. As of July 2006 almost all major movie houses have stopped producing movies on the VHS format. Its so sad that after spending thousands of dollars only to have them sit on a shelf collecting dust. Sad but there are a few options out there for you. Most of the converting machines out there (VHS to DVD) will not allow you to copy your old movies to DVD due to copyright protected tapes but you can copy those home videos without the copyright guard being turned on. But with a little time and knowledge you can use that box right in front of you to get the job done and "backup" your movies. Your PC (personal computer) and that VCR (video cassette recorder) and a few patch cords and your done, well not that easy. Please read on!
Here is a video with a very easy salutation for getting this job done!
Remember the days with the sticker on your rentals "Please be kind and rewind"
Well there is good reason for that statement, besides being nice to the next renter. When your rewind your tapes it does not leave around 8 inches of recorded magnetic tape exposed to the environment, this is why they have that two feet of clear tape at either end. At the same time it repacks the tape and leaves the two spools inside the cassette balanced, the way its meant to be. Store your tapes in a dry environment as moisture and humidity will destroy them very quickly. Always store your VHS tapes in the upright position the same way you would store your books or the way the library does, this way the tape will not become uneven laying on its side. Try to store your tapes in a dust and smoke free environment. Smoke dust and particles are the biggest cause of fadeouts and damaged VHS to tapes!
When playing back your tapes in a VCR try not to leave it on pause for long or extended time. You are better off hitting the stop button well your getting that coffee, beer or washroom break. Well in pause mode the heads of the VCR in contact with the tape which over time will cause damage!
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Other good reading and information!
Well I hope you enjoyed this lens and found some of it intresting or maybe you even learned a thing or too about my hobby. If you have anything you'd like to ask or share just let me know. Please have a look at my other lens and online guides by clicking on links below.
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Mister_K
I have this problem. I have many VHS tapes with movies as well as home made movies which are becoming old. I have heard alot when it comes to the life span...
I have this problem. I have many VHS tapes with movies as well as home made movies which are becoming old. I have heard alot when it comes to the life span of these magnetic ribbons of memories! How should they be delt with? How should they be stored? How much time do I really have? Well I will try to answer some of those questions in this lens! Please have a look at my other Squidoo lenses, with great information on other cool hobbies!