As time goes on technology changes - the electronic equipment we use now to capture photos, videos and information, in general, is radically different from what people used even 10 years ago.
Unfortunately, this can mean older formats of video and images become obsolete and can be more difficult to access and keep in good condition, but technology thankfully allows us to easily transfer VHS and old film to DVD fairly easily. If you are looking to do so, we recommend considering the following:

Know your formats

If you’re in possession of film that is older than a couple of decades, it can be very confusing knowing what’s what. The dominant film format has changed many times over the last 2 generations and unless you’re an expert you’re not going to know all of them. There’s 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm 16mm, mini DV and VHS just to name a few. The first step is figuring out what format you’ve got your hands on. This is even more important if you’ve got a few different formats of film lying around, which is not uncommon.

Know what is reasonable in terms of price

When it comes to preserving old memories, many families would pay just about anything and if you’re not careful you can be taken for a ride by certain video transfer service providers. That’s not to say everyone is out to get you, but if you do your research and know what is involved in the process and a reasonable price and you’ll be in a much better position. Ideally, you’ll want a few quotes from 2-3 different providers.

Research the company

Price is one consideration - the quality of the service is another. If it means paying a little extra for a good job then it’s definitely worth it. Nowadays people put everything online so if you’re thinking about going ahead with a particular video transfer service check out their Facebook page and online customer reviews first.

Set realistic expectations

A good provider can enhance your home movies so that they appear more clearly than the originals, and more often you’ll not be happy with the results. But when you’re dealing with old film, it really depends on the condition of the film itself. You can’t always expect an HD picture and amazing sound quality that you get from your Blu-ray.

The quality of a certain film format can also differ from case to case. Often the film is damaged or corroded and can’t be completely salvaged. That’s exactly why you need to get them converted before it’s too late!

Think about the format that works for you

Even today there are a variety of formats that are available on the market. Find out what is the most convenient format for your home movies to be converted into - DVD is generally the most popular as nearly everyone has access to a DVD player in their home and it also lends itself to being converted to other formats in the future. Blue-ray and digital (put on a USB) services are also available nowadays.

Like any service, it's best to know the facts before you go so you can be sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck! For more information about video transfer services, give Cineclair Productions a call today.