When it comes to preserving your memories, there’s too much at stake to just ride the dice. The last thing you want is for that box full of old home movies, photo albums and film negatives to get lost in a house fire or leaky attic.
And those are just a couple of the common disastrous possibilities. Don’t forget about incidents, like:
- A dangerous dust bunny invasion
- Attack from mold
- Accidental tears or rips
- Rat or vermin bite marks
- A leaky roof or flooded basement
- A sentimental burglar stealing them
- They become pet chew toys
- Natural wear and tear
- The onslaught of old age
- Exposure to extreme heat or cold
- An alien abduction of nostalgia
Okay, so maybe not all of those things could happen to your analog memories, but it’s safe to say that they’re more vulnerable now than if they were digitized. In fact, even if they remain in perfect physical condition, most analog media has a shelf life whether you know it or not. Here’s an averaged breakdown of your old media’s life expectancy.
VHS tapes – 10-25 years
Cassette tapes – 10-30 years
Exposed film – 25-30 years
DVDs/CDs – 20-200 years (assuming players will even be around in 200 years)
As you see, every media has a finite date but quality degradation can set in long before your media has reach its end. It just depends on a lot of outside forces, some that are in your control like care and maintenance and others that aren’t like manufacturing quality.
So, think back to that dusty ol’ box of tapes and film, and ask yourself again, “should I digitize my memories before something happens?” The answer is yes, and we’re here to help. Let our experts help preserve those childhood memories, so they can be shared now and for many generations to come.
