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Why are there so many different types of tape?

Why are there so many different types of tape?

I won’t try and answer that question but here is a rundown of most of the tape formats. By the way we can transfer all these formats to DVD or computer files except the U-Matic tapes and the Video2000.

3/4″ U-Matic
1971
Developed by Sony, A professional video tape format. -It was among the first video formats to contain the videotape inside a cassette, as opposed to the various open-reel formats of the time.

Betamax
1975
Developed by Sony. Although generally considered the superior quality tape, Betamax lost the format war to VHS in the 80s.

VHS
1976
Developed by JVC and introduced in 1976. -During the late part of the 1970s and the early 1980s, the home video industry was involved in the VHS vs. Betamax war, which VHS would eventually win.

Video 2000
1979
Developed by Phillips as a consumer VCR system to rival VHS and Betamax. Even though it had several innovative features it wasn’t successful.

VHS-C
1982
Compact VHS. The format was a camcorder tape and was based on the same videotape as is used in VHS, and can be played back in a standard VHS VCR with an adapter.

Betacam
1982
Developed by Sony. The format replaced the three-quarter inch U-Matic format, which Sony had introduced in 1971

Video8, Hi8, Digital8
Developed through the 80s and 90s
These were the most popular consumer camcorder tapes through the 90s due to small form factor and higher quality than that of the VHS.

MiniDV
1998
A joint effort of leading producers of video camera recorders.
Recorded in digital (DV) same as Digital8 -Tapes could hold 1hr SP, 90min EP

MicroMV
2001
MicroMV was a videotape format introduced in 2001 by Sony.
The smallest of all video tape formats, 70% smaller than a MiniDV cassette

MiniDVD
While not a tape these recordable DVD 8 cm discs are commonly used in DVD-based camcorders. Depending on variant, these discs can offer up to 5.2 GB of storage space.

You can read more about tape formats at https://obsoletemedia.org/video/

Why are there so many different types of tape?

Mouldy Tapes

Tapes sometimes get a layer of mould on them when you look at the tape through the clear plastic window. This is normally because they have been stored somewhere damp.

The tape in the picture above is bad but not the worst we have seen. Usually we find that the mould is in small spots over the tape.

If your tape is as bad as the tape in the picture there is not much we can do to recover the information on the tape.

Small spots of mould are normally ok with VHS tapes and we can copy them successfully.

Any mould on video8, Hi8 or miniDV tapes normally makes the tape unplayable. Due to the narrow width of the tape the mould makes the tape stick together causing the tape to tear when trying to play.

Please check your tapes before bringing them in and if you have any worries about mould don’t hesitate to get in touch

Can we recover mouldy Tapes?

We can attempt to recover your valuable recordings. We will remove the spools and do the best we can to remove the mould without damaging the tape. We will hand wind the tape to check if it is stuck together. Assuming the tape winds OK we will transfer the contents to DVD or mp4 files for you. We cannot guarantee to that we will be able to recover your recordings.

A recovered recording might not be perfect due to the mould eating into the tape face. This is a time consuming process. Trying to recover video8, hi8 or minidv tapes is probably not cost effective.

Mouldy Tapes

Why transfer your videos to DVD or USB?

Why transfer your videos to DVD or USB?

There are several reasons why you might want to transfer videotapes to DVD or USB:

  1. Preserve your memories: Videotapes are prone to deterioration over time, and can become damaged or degraded. Transferring them to a more stable format like DVD or USB can help preserve your memories for years to come.
  2. View tapes on modern devices: Many newer devices, like TVs and computers, do not have the capability to play videotapes. Transferring them to DVD or USB allows you to view your tapes on these modern devices.
  3. Edit and share your tapes: Transferring your tapes to a digital format like DVD or USB allows you to easily edit and share your videos with others. You can use video editing software to cut and splice your footage, and then burn it to a DVD or save it to a USB drive to share with friends and family.
  4. Save space: Videotapes take up a lot of physical space, especially if you have a large collection. Transferring your tapes to DVD or USB allows you to free up space in your home and declutter.

We are often asked if videotapes will deteriorate over time. I always say “Probably”.

Tapes rely on good, dry storage and good quality tape. The more you play them the more likely you are to notice white flecks in the picture. This is the tape breaking down.

I have noticed that the older the tape the more reliable they seem. This may be due to better production processes in the early days and cutting corners to make the tapes cheaper later on. I remember paying about £12 a tape when I first bought a video recorder.

Another problem is the deterioration of the video recorder. Older machines have rubber belts which perish over time. If you try to play your tape in a machine with a broken belts it will almost certainly get mangled!

So whatever type of tape you have, whether its a full size VHS tape or one of the tapes from your camcorder it would be a good idea to get them transferred as soon as possible if you want to save those cherished recordings.

Why transfer your videos to DVD or USB?

Video to Computer files

Video to computer files is just one of the services offered at VideoPoint. We normally convert to mp4 format which is a digital video file format which is pretty universal in that it will play on virtually any device. We will then supply on a USB stick.

While we normally convert to mp4 we can produce almost any format you require bearing in mind that some formats will create HUGE files

Conversion to computer files has many benefits over conversion to DVD.

mp4 can display higher quality images than DVD although it does depend on the quality of the source tape.

mp4 files supplied on a memory stick are easy to view especially if you have a modern TV with USB sockets. mp4 files will also play back on mobile phones, tablets, PCs and even some DVD and BluRay players

You can also easily copy your mp4 files onto your computer or another USB stick to share with friends or upload to YouTube.

mp4 files can also be copied to a computer for editing. You only need very basic editing software to edit mp4 files. Most PC or Macs come with basic edit software built in.

The cost of transferring tapes to mp4 files is about the same as for transferring to DVD plus the cost of any USB sticks we supply (32gb). You are welcome to supply your own sticks or USB drives if you wish.

Video to Computer files

Help! My tape’s got mangled

Why not let us transfer your videos to DVD and you’ll never have to worry about this happening again.

If you play a video tape in a VCR that is not working correctly or has a dirty tape path, you may find your tape ends up like this.  We fix all types of video tapes, from re-splicing broken and crumpled tapes to sometimes replacing the whole shell.

This is one of the problems that can happen when you transfer videos to DVD using an old or cheap VCR. You may experience tracking problems due to a worn out tape or VCR.  Our transfer machines can help remove tracking errors although if the tape has damage, that may not be the case.

Help! My tape’s got mangled

ABOUT VIDEOPOINT

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VideoPoint provides a full range of professional video, DVD and multimedia services from video filming and post production through to dvd duplication and Video to DVD or USB for both the business and domestic markets. We have been providing DVD and video services for over 30 years so you can be confident we can help with your video project

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TESTIMONIALS

Great service, the transfer of my 16 Hi8 tapes was done quickly and returned with the memory sticks by signed-for post.

The label on the tapes was used to name the files which was very helpful.

MH
Fantastic service from beginning to end. Really helpful, polite and swift correspondence, reasonably priced and quick to return transfer and original format. Very happy with this service.

SL
Just had all our kids growing up history transferred from DVDs to memory sticks, brilliant job by Brett at VideoPoint.

Fast and efficient service, definitely recommended.

RP
I was so pleased with the service. I had old film from the USA which needed transferring to DVD & memory stick.  I would highly recommend VideoPoint: information, guidance, pricing, quality, speed of service and secure posting of completed transfers.  Thank you VideoPoint.

JF
Fast turnaround….excellent quality discs come really well packaged.

Super helpful nothing is too much trouble..really recommend

GB
Great service from this company whom I used to transfer both old family cine films and family videos . Brett was approachable and helpful and the whole service was quick and very efficient. I would thoroughly recommend this company

HH
After the first contact with VideoPoint I had a good feeling that I had found the right company to transfer my 178 Video8 and miniDV tapes to DVDs and hard drives. To my surprise, he not only converted the tapes in excellent quality, he also numbered and labeled them. VideoPoint did an absolutely top job far beyond my expectations and all for a more than fair price.

RW

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