Life, the Universe & Everything
Actually all I'm interested in is 'life' - well the
life of videos, cds, dvds, etc.
The issues are:
Formats:
* old and new formats are continually becoming
obsolete or introduced
* big issue is the continual production of spare parts
for obsolete playing equipment.
Media:
B&W film has been proven to last approx. 100 years
* needs environmentally controlled storage
Colour film lasts about 30 years the dyes fade ref.:
'Fantasia,' 'Gone with the Wind,' etc.
* copying may need computer enhancement
Video tape (analogue) lasts about 30 years
* its the adhesive with decomposes and clogs the read
heads
* remains readable even if the recording deteriorates
* colours fade with loss of signal
* playing can wear head and tape surfaces
* copies never as good as original
Video tape (digital) last about 30 years
* its the adhesive with decomposes and clogs the read
heads
* drop out can cause large blocks of data to be lost
* copies as good as original - if copies BEFORE
deterioration sets in
CDs (digital) - reckoned to last 30-70 years (latter
for Kodak gold-layered CDs)
* not been around for long enough to test for
longevity
* decomposition of recording layers can deteriorate
and cause total loss
* even a scratch can cause total loss
* copies as good as original - if copies BEFORE
deterioration sets in
DVDs (digital) - reckoned to last 30-70 years (latter
for Kodak gold-layered CDs)
* not been around for long enough to test for
longevity
* decomposition of recording layers can deteriorate
and cause total loss
* even a scratch can cause total loss
* copies as good as original - if copies BEFORE
deterioration sets in
What do folk advise for archiving analogue video
recordings?
At present I'm trying to find a company to transfer
the videos onto B&W 16mm cine film.
Thanks - Chris B.
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