I read a recent article that pointed out that JVC, the last maker of VHS Players, will cease production of these models. This means that the VHS cassette will soon become obsolete – gone to media heaven like the 8 track audio cassette and LP. And according to the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center, the lifespan of consumer physical digital media is estimated to be five years or less. Those family photos that you’ve stored on disk or the DVD of your last trip won’t last forever either. So what to do? Here’s what I’d suggest to protect your collection:
- Copy all of your film, audio and video tapes to a digital format.
- Keep alert to new formats and ensure that you copy all of your collection to the new format.
- Make certain all your audio and video tapes, old film stock and digital media are stored in a room that is free form dust and extreme fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
- Keep your collection away from direct sunlight and liquids. All audio and video tapes should be kept away from any magnetic fields and other electronic equipment.
- Store your media upright in rigid containers specifically designed for that particular media. Cardboard sleeves are not suitable for storage.
- Handle your discs by the outer edge or inside hole. Never grab them by the surface. The grease and salt from your fingers will damage the disc.
- Drives should be cleaned regularly to avoid damaging your tapes.
- Don’t leave a tape in the drive of a recorder for a long period of time.
For further helpful information on preservation check out these sites:
Photo by Martin
