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Archives are faced with multiple challenges when storing and working with videotape. Even when stored under ideal conditions, videotapes may only last a few decades. If stored in less than ideal conditions, the degradation process can be greatly accelerated. The problem is, unless you physically play the videotape, it is very difficult to know if any form of degradation is taking place. Videotape doesn’t give off a characteristic odor associated with degradation, as film often will (vinegar syndrome). Unfortunately, the very act of playing a videotape suffering from hydrolysis or “binder shed” to check it can destroy it.
Another problem you are faced with is “format obsolescence”. Videotape formats have changed many times in the thirty or so years that videotape has been heavily used on a wide-scale commercial basis. Sometimes, the actual videotapes outlast the equipment needed to play it. Try giving a one-inch videotape to most people and they won’t even know what it is, much less how to play it.
Scene Savers professionals understand the challenges of videotape. They are trained in what to look for and how to handle old videotapes. In fact, many of our engineers and technicians have been working with these formats since their original introduction into the market. It is this experience that is critical when dealing with these old formats.
We maintain videotape equipment to deal with the challenges of obsolescence, and to remaster these older formats, to the new, updated formats. Call us for specific details about how we can help with your videos.
Steps to Videotape Remastering:
We follow a strict process when remastering all videotapes.
Step 1, Receiving: All video tapes are inventoried and visually inspected upon arrival to ensure that all materials arrived in good condition. All materials are logged and placed in a dedicated, climate controlled storage location in our facility. Often archives don’t have an up-to-date electronic inventory of their materials, so at this point, we can inventory and start to capture metadata about each video.
Step 2, Cleaning and Inspection: Videos are taken from the storage area and allowed to acclimate to the temperature and humidity of our machine control room. One-by-one, they are taken out of their cases and visually inspected for pack problems (such as flange pack, step pack, popped strands, etc.), mold or mildew and any odors are notated. If none of these issues are found, the tapes are cleaned using professional videotape cleaning equipment to remove loose oxide and debris. All tapes are then staged for remastering.
Step 3, Videotape Transfer: All videotapes are transferred to the format of your choice. Once the tapes are loaded, video and audio levels are adjusted using professional scopes, monitors and audio boards. Original video is transferred to the videotape format you choose and additional metadata is captured from each tape as necessary. All videos are monitored during the transfer process and any irregularities are noted. DVDs can be created at this time, as well, if requested.
During the transfer process, we use only professional, broadcast quality videotape equipment, including time-base correctors (TBCs). TBCs stabilize the video signal to provide the best quality achievable from that tape. Many different types of tape decks were manufactured throughout the years and not all were broadcast quality systems. To ensure you receive the best image quality, we use the best quality equipment which is only operated by trained professionals.
Upon completion, the new videotapes and cases are labeled, and the videos are placed into their cases and staged as finished.
Videotape color correction: Our digital color correction services aren’t only limited to film. Our expert colorist has the ability to provide color correction to your videotape during the remastering process to help enhance color, saturation, hue and contrast of the images. Videotape colors can be off for any number of reasons, including improper setup of the original recording equipment, bad initial transfer or improper camera settings. Let us help you fix the color while preserving these materials.
Videotape Machine Cleaning: All videotape machines are thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis to reduce the possibility of head clogs and cross-contamination from one tape to another. Cleaning ensures the highest quality transfer possible, even if the videotapes are in marginal condition.
Shipping: Depending on the amount of work, the remastered videotapes and related materials are sent back in smaller groups, or as a set. All shipments are electronically tracked to ensure delivery back to your facility.
Duplication: Whether you want one extra copy or hundreds, we provide professional duplication services for all formats, including ½” VHS, Beta SP, Digital Beta and DVD.
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film to tape transfer
