Now that you have created a comprehensive checklist that includes the locations of where your photos – both printed and digital – are stored, make sure you expand your list to include home movies and personal audio tapes.
Tip #4
Include Your Home Movies and Audio Tapes
Start by making a list of the types of home movies you have. If you have audio tapes, be sure to include them on the checklist. Audio tapes like reel-to-reel and cassette tapes of personal conversations, celebrations, or your child’s first music recital can be converted to an MP3 file and stored on a USB flash drive. Preserving the voices from our past is just as important as preserving the visual images from our past. Media formats, both visual and audio, can include:
★ 8mm and Super 8 Film
★ VHS and VHS-C Tapes
★ Betamax and U-matic
★ DV and 8mm Video Formats
★ Multiple DVD Formats
★ Audio Tape: Reel-to-Reel; 8-Track; Cassette
★ Older Digital Formats on Legacy Media: Floppy and ZIP Drives; SD Cards; Old Hard Drives
Film movies, when stored well, often will outlast their tape cassette cousin. VHS, Betamax, and other formats like DV tape can begin to show quality issues as their magnetic format ages. Movies in the tape format should be first on your list to digitize.
Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to work on this project and avoid getting overwhelmed. Set a reasonable weekly or monthly goal realizing that most collections span decades.
For more information about Save Your Photos Month or about the products and services that we offer, please contact us at info@goldstarphotosolutions.com or call us at 530-264-5995.