Just like the Betamax, VHS is nearing it’s sunset. The VHS has given way to the new DVD video format. Just like with the Betamax, people transferred their memorables and collectibles into the new VHS tapes. As DVD has already outpaced VHS, people seeking to, once again, transfer their memorables to this new storage medium are having to deal with new technology.

Before you begin your transfers or duplications, keep in mind that when dealing with blank DVDs, there are two types of discs to choose from. The DVDR is a writable or recordable DVD that you can use for recording or transfer only once. If you happen to have those old Star Wars or Indiana Jones movies in VHS format, you can transfer them to the blank DVD. Afterwards, you may not record or write over what has already been recorded. Sort of like taking out the tabs on a cassette tape to make sure you don’t record over the contents of the tape.

The other DVD disc type is the DVDRW. If the R meant writable, the RW means re-writable. In layman’s terms, you can add to, reduce or even erase all disc contents and put in something new.

Here’s a tip. If you are transferring the good old stuff to the DVD for preservation, use the DVDR. If you plan on using the DVD for duplication so as to avoid using your originals, use the DVDRW. In an emergency where you suddenly need a blank DVD that you don’t happen to have, using a DVDRW in the first place will save you all the trouble later. Just over write the old contents and put in what you need. You can always duplicate the good old stuff again later.

The same goes for CDs. Compact Discs have the R and RW versions.

A word of warning though, you can only re-write a disc so many times before the quality starts to deteriorate. If you take care of your discs well enough, they just might survive this world longer than you.

In years to come, there may be versions of smaller discs to use. There was once what was called a laser disc. It was the size of a vinyl record. It didn’t even last a year because compact discs soon came out. A couple of years later, DVDs were introduced which were able to store more information than CDs. VHS technology is almost totally phased out. Use those DVD’s to get your memorabilia in step with today’s technology before tomorrow says you can’t do that anymore.