Video
With video there is next to no technical inspection required because most magnetic media comprises of the same chemical components: a plastic polyester backing on to which a magnetic layer (of oxide or metal) and binder is coated, none of which is discernable by the naked eye not least because most tapes – except for very early formats, are housed in a cartridge. The biggest challenge from an archival perspective is format obsolescence. There have been over 50 different formats created since 1956 and this is the first port of call; to determine the exact format and see how old it is.
Whether a tape uses a digital or an analogue signal, video is inherently quite a fragile medium and is susceptible to the effects of stray magnetic fields and pollutants like dirt and dust (not to mention accidental erasure!). Remember the upkeep of your tape is also only as good as the playback or recorder mechanism (which is subject to its own deterioration and market decline etc).
It is a common misconception to assume that with new generations of video innovation and the growing market of capture software, home video enthusiasts and collectors can have their old tapes simply transferred onto a better quality format and then discarded. After all, advances in filmmaking technology have facilitated the growth of consumer grade cameras and storage mediums in ever more compact and versatile forms; palm-sized camcorders come with ‘secure digital’ memory cards capable of storing hours of visual data and clunky Hi8 and VHS-C tapes can look pretty archaic in comparison. However, the necessity to retain the original tape is paramount (see Storage for guidance) Granted, ‘dropout’, ‘ghosting’ and colour distortion are sadly all very common but whatever the shelf life and declining compatibility of that tape it may still offer the best possible information with which to reproduce for future viewing. In a nutshell, ‘you must always go back to the original.’
If you are unsure about playback of older tapes and feel they may need inspecting for specific conservation requirements it is worth making contact with the local regional film archive. A professional judgement can then determine whether it is appropriate to ‘re-master’ the material. Should you opt to take your tapes to a commercial transfer facility operate on the side of caution and do a bit of research about the company to ensure they are reputable and using professional archive standard telecine equipment.
Refer to the following external links for useful guides and some introductory information:
Overview of videotape formats
Videotape identification and Assessment Guide
