Deteriorated tapes may require duplication onto a new tape stock or DVD (called reformatting). This is especially true if the original recording was done on a type of machine that is no longer in production (like Sony Betamax). Tapes that are ten years old or older or tapes that have been poorly stored and improperly handled have a high priority for restoration.
Copying, Transferring and Restoration
It is important to distinguish
between copying, transferring and
restoration. Copying is the
straightforward dubbing or duplication
of a tape, as in making a reference copy
for routine use or to service another
format. Transferring, re-mastering, or
re-formatting involves converting the
original to an updated format.
Restoration is the process by which a videotape, degraded by age, or damaged by accident is temporarily or permanently transcribed to a playable condition. Restoration implies a deliberate effort to make a complete and error-free copy from the best available (restored) original, minimizing all imperfections, while transferring the tape to a new digital master. Cleaning the tape beforehand is part of restoration. In theory, digital technology allows some improvement even beyond the original through error-correction and signal enhance-ment. Difficult restorations entail time consuming and painstaking steps which can drive up the cost of preservation.
When remastering we use video and audio processors to further enhance video and audio quality. Once the new digital master is complete, transferring is all digital so there is no further loss in quality.
Tapes damaged by defective or faulty equipment, from floods or water, fire, smoke, dust or dirt from damaged buildings, heat (tapes left on dashboard in sun), spilled beverages, and other contaminates can often be recovered.
Magnetic tape cannot tolerate high temperatures. Temperatures above 150 degrees F can cause permanent damage to videotape. In the unfortunate event of a disaster, experience, research, and testing have led to the development of highly effective restoration and remastering techniques that may preserve lost or damaged information. The process of bringing a tape back to a playable condition can be a complicated procedure and should be dealt with by professionals.
We clean and remove all contaminates, as best we can, including mildew from the tape's surface, re-lubricate the oxide surface, splice the tape where needed, and transfer it into a new housing. Once the tape is recovered we transfer the content to a new digital master tape.
For
emergency services a representative
can be reached 24 hours a day by
calling the main office number
713-781-6001.
Due to the varying nature of tape conditions, we cannot guarantee 100% recovery. Our clients should be aware of this and should understand what they are buying is our best effort.
