A Blu-ray success story

LeeV wrote on 4/4/2009, 3:01 PM

I captured 60 hours of VHS tape, scaled it to 16x9, color corrected it and put it on Blu-ray. The video ranged from 1980 to 1999. I built each timeline so that it was about six hours long. That renders to about 22-23 gigs.
I have just completed my 10th Blu-ray. I used Verbatim BD-R printable with the Dymo Discpainter. I also bought some Blu-ray cases.
Throughout the entire project I never had a problem and even upgraded Vegas Pro and DVD architect several times. I also changed computers from XP to Vista during the project. The project took a few months. Everything went perfect. Thanks Sony!

Comments

Steve Grisetti wrote on 4/4/2009, 5:48 PM

Great success story, Lee! Thanks for sharing it!

TOG62 wrote on 4/5/2009, 12:46 AM

It's often implied that stored tapes will deteriorate faster than DVDs but I wonder if there is any evidence for this. My main concern in converting mine was that I'd have nothing to play them on.

Mike

Steve Grisetti wrote on 4/5/2009, 7:11 PM

I agree with John.

Home-burned DVDs, unlike commercially pressed DVDs, save their data using a chemical process. Nobody knows how long they will last or even if they'll outlast tapes.

On the other hand, videotapes were supposed to last 10-15 years, and I've got 20 year old videotapes that still play great -- so who knows? They both might outlast us all!

TOG62 wrote on 4/5/2009, 10:54 PM

Your replies pretty much reflect my own experience. I think if you have recordings that really matter to you it would be as well to keep the tapes, even after making DVD copies.

Mike

Christian de Godzinsky wrote on 4/8/2009, 12:18 AM

Hi Lee,

Nice to hear that you are running smooth! I also just love this application when everything is running smooth. However, there are a few issues that SCS needs to fix, but that's another story.

Migh I ask to what format you rendered out your VHS tapes (16:9 - but what bitrate and resolution - assuming it was mpeg2). I have planned something similar but never had the time to start such a project, but will do that soon...

Cheers,

Christian

Sonata wrote on 4/8/2009, 6:20 AM

I like success stories because while I have my own questions on this forum, I have yet to expierence a single problem with the software in regards to all the problems people complain about here.

Regarding homemade DVDs, my understanding is that RW media uses a metallic component and are expected to last long enough for archiving purposes, whereas non-RW media uses a chemical process, as mentioned.

But, who knows how long this stuff will last.

dan-hedrick wrote on 4/8/2009, 7:51 AM

I think this question is related to this area.
Can DVD+R, DVD-R and DVD+RW (regular DVDs) be played on Blue Ray Recorders? (ie. are Blue Ray Recorders backward compatible?)

Thanks,
lcdrdan

Steve Grisetti wrote on 4/8/2009, 7:54 AM

Yes. Virtually all BluRay players can also play standards DVDs.

dan-hedrick wrote on 4/8/2009, 10:36 AM

Thanks for your quick reply.

lcdrdan

Terry Esslinger wrote on 4/8/2009, 11:02 AM

A couple of somewhat scientific studies about the longevity of optical disc media:
http://www.computerworld.com/hardwaretopics/hardware/story/0,10801,107607,00.htm
and
http://www.film-to-video.com/study/StabilityStudy.htm