For some of us, the shift from analog to digital happened within our adult lifetimes, and many of our memories are still on old VHS tapes, camcorder cassettes, and film reels. Weddings, new babies, family reunions, and summer vacations were saved on tape, but are now unwatchable for people without the corresponding outdated machines. This media is also at risk of deterioration from exposure to the environment. Digitizing old videos has arisen as a solution to preserve all of this personal history and make it accessible again. There are many other benefits to digitization, so we will explore them here.
Digitizing Old Videos: Why and How
Preservation
The first and most important reason for digitizing old videos is that those memories stored on VHS and cassette tapes are fragile and irreplaceable. The film physically deteriorates over time, especially with exposure to sunlight or moisture. This causes the color to fade, the audio to become distorted, and, eventually, the total loss of the video. Digital files, in comparison, are stable and easily duplicated.
Additionally, digitized images and video can be restored or enhanced to return them to their original condition (or better). This means that new generations will be able to see the world how their parents or grandparents saw it and not in faded colors and with poor audio quality.
Accessibility
With older media, you must rely on old, nearly obsolete devices like VCRs and video projectors to view it. Often you have to go to the trouble of transporting and setting up old machines to be able to show your old videos to anyone.
Once digitized, these files are easily accessible and shareable on smartphones, tablets, computers, or smart TVs with ease. This means you can share and relive your memories whenever and wherever you want. You can send them to all of your friends and family at no cost as well.
Every ten years or so, the formats for video or music have changed, and it’s very possible there are more changes to come in the devices we will use to access media. Digitized files will still be available to use and view, however. They can also be easily converted to other formats as technology and your needs change.
Modification
Digitized videos are easily edited. This means you can add things you like or remove things you don’t – like unwanted footage or glaring background noise. You can add subtitles or closed captioning for additional accessibility. There are decades of home movies out there. If you’ve ever wondered if your child looks more like his mom or dad did at his age, it’s time to digitize those old videos and create new then-and-now content!
Space Saving
Cassettes, VHS tapes, and reel-to-reel videos take up quite a bit of space. If you’re looking to de-clutter your home, digitizing your media is a great way to do this. Not only will you have more room for storage, you won’t have to look at dusty, broken plastic cases and squint at faded labels.
Sharing
Everyone loves to look at pictures, and sharing older media with family and friends strengthens your bonds with them as well as bringing all of you more enjoyment. Younger generations can be introduced to family history in a fun way, and doing genealogy is better when images of older generations are available.
It’s so simple to send digitized media via email, social media, or the cloud. According to Statista, in 2023 more than 85% of the world’s population owns a smartphone. Creating a digital media archive makes it possible to share photos and videos with almost anyone in the world, anywhere anytime.
How to Digitize Your Old Media
If you have older videos or images you would like digitized, there are several ways to go about it. You can do it yourself if you have a lot of time or enjoy the process, or you can hire a professional to do it for you. A professional service will already be familiar with how to safely handle and transfer videos and will be able to complete your projects for you quickly and efficiently.
Digitizing old videos is not just a modern convenience; it’s an important way to preserve, protect, and share cherished memories and family history. The money you spend is an investment in your past, present, and future, and it will allow your grandkids to relive your favorite moments with you. If you would like help with the digitizing process, contact us at Patchin Pictures. We would be happy to help you save your precious media so it does not become lost to time.
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