Guidelines for the preservation of analogue videotapes
Author: Ramon Coelho, Dutch Institute for Media Art / Montevideo – Time Based ArtsWith the aim of preserving the video signal (meaning the information that is stored on the tapes), it is recommended not to wait too long with the transfer of the content of the videotapes …
Playback equipment ages and becomes obsolete. The hardware industry was never really interested in keeping older video systems in circulation. Sony has for some time made newer machines downward compatible with the ¾” U-matic-system: older types of tape could still be played on a new machine with an improved video system. But in the meantime, the production of new machines or spare parts for the ¾” U-matic-system has been stopped. The Betacam SP-format can still be played on newer versions of the Betacam-system (Digital Betcam). But this will also end soon.
For non-professional formats such as Betamax, VHS and video8 it is already difficult – even today – to find good playback equipment. (…)
This text was written on the occasion of the PACKED seminar ‘Best before / Use by … ?’ on the preservation of analogue and digital carriers, taking place on October 28, 2008.
Click here to read the full article. Language: Dutch.