Tape Transfer Consulting

Videotape Digitization

I was told back in the 1990s that I could expect BetaSP tapes to last for a hundred years. Much to my surprise, some tapes had problems well before the turn of the century. Now over twenty years have passed since the turn of the century and there are BetaSP tapes still sitting on shelves all over the country. I'm comfortable saying I believe that none of them recorded in the 1990s are in pristine condition. Some are not even playable without extraordinary measures (and with mixed results). 

But if you put a tape into a VTR and it doesn't play or plays, but with a lot of noise, all might not be lost. Sometimes the tape can be conserved and restored to a playable condition for immediate digitization that could be quite good. 

Take a look at this:

There is a conservation process called "baking" that can restore a tape for immediate digitization. It requires a precision scientific-grade oven and a tech who knows how to do it. Yes, there are some D-I-Y people who have gotten results but I can't recommend that. 

Here is a YouTube link to a video from The Museum of Classic Chicago Television

The before and after images are compelling and you will notice that over time (due to the tape pack) the image quality before baking varies and generally gets worse. 

My goal in providing this image and link is to suggest that before making any permanent decision about what to do with an archive of videotapes, it can be useful to get advice from a knowledgeable independent professional. It still might make sense to try to do digitization work yourself, but the key is making an informed decision. If you want to learn about tape formulations (top coating/back coating, substrate material) and have lots of time then a DIY solution might actually be appropriate for someone with a few tapes and spare money. 

While I have some interest in magnetic oxide and binder solutions and formulations that are susceptible to magnetic media's binder hydrolysis or "sticky-shed syndrome", studying those issues are not for everyone. 

I do find humor in the fact that many DIY people have gone into business offering digitization services. An old proverb from the 18th century comes to mind. Specifically, Alexander Pope's "An Essay on Criticism" from 1709 that reads: 

A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again.

If a DIY-r does their homework and spends a few years in studying and working in an environment where they gain experience, they could provide adequate home-movie digitization services. I have no objection to those that meet these criteria who are providing home-movie digitization services. It's a different matter when considering a video archive. When there are numerous tapes, the challenges are different. The one person you are talking with isn't likely to be the one physically with hands on every tape and monitoring every digitization. Infrastructure and talent are very important. There are many hidden "gotcha's". 

-G