What to do with my huge library of UK pre-certs? Am I better off ripping them to DVD-R because some that have appeared on DVD aren't worthy of further expense (like the cringe-inducing DON'T ANSWER THE PHONE*) and others are compromised one way or the other (eg. cropping on John Waters titles and DON'T GO INTO THE HOUSE). Anyone adopting the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach?)

Victor

* I am curious to find out if the old UK "World of Video 2000" tape is cut - doesn't look like it, but there's much talk of a TV version in general circulation and the new disc being uncut for the first time.

The UK DON'T ANSWER THE PHONE is the heavily censored UK BBFC X approved cinema release version. BCI issued a crisp new uncut version direct from the uncut negative (on US DVD) only today.

If you like what's on the tape, make a copy to DVD-R for watching but don't toss the video. The video tape will almost surely out live any digital copy you can make.

Really? Had always read otherwise? Or is it that video tapes will outlive digital copies in low-humidity climes but not high-humidity -- and therefore fungus-friendly -- ones (Hence the preference in places like Hong Kong and Malaysia for VCDs as well as DVDs over VHS tapes)?

Well, current expectations for DVD-R is 10 years, give or take a few. I have video tapes that are over 20 years old that still play fine. The reality is DVD-R has not even existed for 10 years yet, so the lifespan is based on high tech testing that freezes and super heats discs and then tests them to see if they are still burnable or playable. I'm hoping that the discs will last longer, but I guess only time will tell for sure. Meanwhile I am not getting rid of any VHS tapes I treasure.
As far as the DVDs you buy in stores ( cold pressed ), these are a different animal, made of better materials and superior construction than DVD-R's ( same goes for CD's and CD-R 's ). DVD's are expected to outlast DVD-R's.
Sadly, the whole concept of the R's is a far cry from a permanent storage solution. They are a cheap handly consumer media option and not designed to last forever. I know some people who store everything on huge external hard drives, but the reality is they crap out too, and need to be backed up religeously.
Of course with VHS, the better the storage conditions, the healthier they'll remain, but mine have weathered brutal 90+ degree summers for most of their lives. Fortunatley humidity is not a huge issue for me.

I guess I'll be sure to keep my DVD-Rs out of the refrigerator and the oven.
:ph43r: