Before there were DVDs, there were video, or VHS, tapes. While their quality was considered top-level in past eras, high-quality isn't exactly how you would describe your viewing experience when looking at a video tape today. This doesn't mean you need to toss out your old tapes, it simply means you should consider conversion services. If you have been thinking about converting your video tapes, but are on the fence, here are just some of the reasons why you should go ahead and do it.

Usage

Unless you happen to keep one tucked away in your basement or you are shopping with a specialty electronic retailer, good luck actually finding a VCR to play your video tapes on. Converting your video tapes to other formats, like DVD, allows you to get greater usage out of your video content. Whether it's past family memories or even a favorite movie that isn't being sold anymore, conversion services allow you to enjoy your video content more easily.

Quality

One of the most important reasons to consider video conversion is an increase in quality. When you convert a video tape to a DVD, you aren't just transferring content. You are also upgrading the quality of the content. With a conversion you will be able to make your video content more vibrant and clearer, which can make viewing more enjoyable. Additionally, while video tapes lose quality with age, DVDs retain their quality forever.

Viewing

If you used a VHS before to record something, you know that they can have a short recording life. For this reason, it's not uncommon to have several tapes of footage for a single event. When you convert your video tapes, you can combine multiple tapes into a smaller number, or even a single DVD, allowing for easier viewing. To perform this process, the video tapes are typically first converted into a compressed, electronic format option like AVI or MPEG before being transferred to DVD.

Preservation

Compared to DVDs, video tapes don't at all match the preservation qualities of these options. Even with good care and storage, magnetic tape deterioration is a common risk. The deterioration occurs when the binders that hold the magnetic tape together start to break down. Once this happens, the images stored on the tape begin to fade. Tape that is damaged can no longer be played or restored. As long as you handle a DVD properly, you don't have to be concerned about this type of problem.

Although there are a number of video conversion software options on the market, none will be able to offer you the quality of a professional conversion. Make sure you are relying on a professional to transform your video content, such as Prime Time Video Digital Productions.