Latest Insights in Media Digitization
Scan to Digital 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Your Box of Old Memories
We all have it: the "Mystery Box." It usually lives in the back of a closet, under a bed, or in the corner of a dusty attic. Inside is a chaotic blend of 1970s Polaroids, loose 35mm negatives, a few yellowing newspaper clippings, and perhaps a stack of VHS...
10 Reasons Your Old VHS Tapes Aren’t Playing (And How a Video Transfer to Flash Drive Fixes It)
For many of us, our most cherished memories are locked inside black plastic rectangles gathering dust in the attic or basement. We remember the birthdays, the weddings, and the shaky footage of a baby’s first steps. However, as 2026 rolls forward, many families are...
Are Reel-to-Reel Tapes Dead? Why High-End Revivals Mean Now Is the Best Time for Professional Audio Transfers
For decades, the rhythmic spinning of large magnetic reels was the hallmark of high-fidelity sound. From the professional recording studios of the 1960s to the living rooms of dedicated audiophiles in the 70s, reel-to-reel (R2R) tape was the gold standard. But as the...
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Digitization Tips for Long Island Families
These are the digitization tips we find ourselves repeating on the counter every week — which formats are most at risk, what actually causes tape and film to fail, and how to decide what is worth transferring first.
Why we write them down
Most people only face this problem once. A parent downsizes, a relative passes, a basement floods, and suddenly there is a box of unfamiliar formats and no clear idea what to do. These digitization tips exist so you can make an informed decision before spending money — including the decision not to transfer something.
What you will find here
Practical guidance on VHS and camcorder tape, 8mm and Super 8 film, photographs, slides, negatives, audio cassettes and reel-to-reel. We cover storage conditions, warning signs of deterioration, realistic costs, and what to expect from a professional transfer versus a DIY attempt.
Start with your service
Ready to move from reading to doing? See video tape transfer, photo and slide scanning, 8mm film transfer or audio digitization, or contact us with a question about your own collection.
Further reading: the Library of Congress publishes free preservation guidance for home collections.
Start Your Digitization Journey Today
Transform your old media into lasting digital formats with Scan A Lot. Click below to begin your journey!