If you’re like me, you’ve likely visited your grandparents or parents and pulled out your most treasured family photos. Then you spent hours looking through them and reliving all the wonderful memories you made over the years. Maybe you have lots of old VHS tapes, movies and films that you like to pull from storage to look through. You can digitize your vintage media to bring it into the digital age by converting Video8 to mp4. You can digitize everything to preserve your memories and surprise your in-laws. Gather all your old media, send it to a company for digitization, then give it to them as gifts.
The results? You won’t have to worry about the old media getting lost over time. It can be easily repaired using smart software (think restoring colors, removing redeye, and rippings), and organized so that you can search for keywords on any computer, tablet, phone, or online cloud site. It can even be shared via email or social media with your family members, or used to create fun projects such scrapbooks, slideshows, magnets, and more.
There are two main options for digitizing vintage media. Either do it yourself (which can be very expensive as each format requires a compatible player device), or use a professional service such as the one Adam Boeselager founded in their college garage back in 2009. It has grown to be one the largest digitizing businesses in the world, having helped 850,000 families.
Macco explains that Legacybox was created to help families connect with their precious recorded memories that have been lost due to outdated or deteriorating tapes and film. It is a safe and simple way to digitally convert old media files such as VHS, audio tapes and film. How does it all work? Customers can order their kit online, then pack their media files and send them in for digitizing. Every kit includes a step by step welcome guide, safety codes for each media item, and a pre-paid UPS shipping address. The customers then receive their digitized files in three to four week either via the cloud, USB drive or DVD. All original files are returned, including film reels, old videotapes and pictures, as well as audio recordings.
Why is digitizing media so important?
Macco says it’s important to ensure media’s safety, accessibility, and security for several reasons. It’s important to preserve your most treasured memories so that they can be passed on to the next generation. It’s simple and will allow you to rest assured that your most precious memories won’t disappear forever. One of the most memorable moments that made digitizing a priority for me was when I digitized media files that belonged my grandparents’ lives and that of our entire family. They were digitalized to be used in a slideshow they presented at their 50th wedding anniversary. This slideshow was then shared with all of our family. It brought tears to everyone’s eyes. It was evident to me by the reactions of my family that we were doing something important and worthwhile.
What are the benefits of digitalizing?
Macco’s top reasons to digitize media include:
1. It provides peace of mind
He said that “if your media aren’t digitalized, so many can go wrong.” Not only is it important to have a safe place for your media, but also because there is always the possibility of loss or damage due to wear and tears, natural disasters, moving, or loss. It is possible for key storage locations, such as closets, basements, or trunks to be damaged. However, digitizing your memories can ensure that they are protected forever.
2. It can help you declutter your house
Macco says digitizing media can help you store your media in the best way possible. Macco says, “Once the bin is digitized with old media and home video, it can open up storage space in closets and trunks.” “We have seen customers reuse vintage photos throughout their homes after digitization has been completed.”
3. It makes Memories easily shareable
Digitalizing your memories doesn’t mean you have to throw away the photo album. You can now share your photos with anyone, anytime. Upload your digital media to the web and hit “send”. Macco says that it is as easy as that to relive and recall your most precious memories with the people that matter most.
4. It allows you to pass on your family history
He states, “If your family tradition and memories will last, it is important that you pass on your memories to your children and grandkids for many generations to come.” “You can replace your old tapes with a simple-to-share cloud link, which can be shared with the entire family and beyond.”
What is the best way to digitize old photos? VHS Tapes
Macco says that every format is different in digital preservation. Even slides, negatives, or photo prints can be photographed in different ways. Each item is still handled by hand. He says that our film digitizing process follows the same frame by frame method as the Academy of Motion Pictures. “It is amazing what you find on old film reels.”
