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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. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Everything you'll ever need on one web page from News and Sport to Email and Music Charts http://uk.my.yahoo.com