HVS Top Last Minute Movies

Good things can come in the last minute, especially in movies! Here are a few of our favorites that were defined in a last minute scenario:

An Affair to Remember - Just as Cary Grant is about to walk out of happiness forever he spots Deborah Kerr’s wheelchair – divulging that they were meant to be together.

Rudy - Just as the clock ticks down and the Notre Dame coach seems determined not to let Rudy in a game the crowd persists, chanting “Rudy, Rudy”, and he gets in for a few plays.

It’s a Wonderful Life - Just as George Bailey is about to end it all by jumping into a frozen river an angel named Clarence saves him and proceeds to show him what the world would have been like without him.

The Graduate - Just as Elaine Robinson is about to say “I do” to a man she really doesn’t love Benjamin pounds on the windows of the church, saving her from unhappiness and mediocrity.

Lord of the Rings - Just as Frodo is about to succumb to the power of the ring he finds himself in a fight with Gollum and knocks him and the ring into a volcano – thus saving Middle Earth from evil forever.

Video: The perfect last minute gift!

Good news! As your local video professionals there's a good chance we can still get limited types of

projects done for Christmas! But call or stop by today!

Here are a few video gift ideas you may still be able to put under the tree:

Tape transfers - This is a great gift idea! Your video tapes (VHS, VHS-C, 8mm, Mini DV, Mini disc, Beta, even foreign conversions) transferred to a convenient and safe format.

Do you have precious 35mm slides stored in your closet or attic? We transfer any format. What about photos? Bring them in today!

Do you need copies of CDs or DVDs you already have? We can do that.

Most likely you’ll be shooting photos and video on your smartphone or other devices. Let us show you our array of ways to help you view and share them conveniently, as well as keep them safe for generations to come.

A PhotoVideo Keepsake montage - Your favorite photos, slides, and/or video clips combined into a one-of-a-kind presentation complete with music and titles. Imagine grandparents, parents and children enjoying this centerpiece of your Christmas gathering.

Not sure? We offer attractive Gift Certificates as well! A welcome stocking stuffer.

This is also the perfect time to bring in your projects that you won't need until after the Holidays. We’re at peak production and we want to keep our elves busy, even after the holidays. If you can wait until after the first of the year call and see what we can do for you.

Finally, we want to wish you and yours a most blessed Holiday Season! We thank you for your support this past year and look forward to seeing you in the coming year! 

Call us today for your last minute Holiday wishes!

559-732-3050

Name That Format

Every now and again a client will bring in something and not even know what it is, let alone know what’s on it. Most of the time it’s something I’ve seen or worked on before. But not always.

Technology sometimes can seem to us to advance in giant leaps. First there was film, then videotape, then digital files… But as the industry went from one media type to another, a lot of products were rolled out by companies trying to capture the market’s attention. Some were successful, others not so much. As a result there are a lot of unfamiliar items, now obsolete, collecting dust in people’s drawers and closets.

The pictured item is a mini-Disc (MD) that was first produced by Sony. It was a precursor to the CD (compact disc) designed to hold data or 74 minutes of audio (later 80 minutes). Introduced in 1992, it reached its height of popularity in Japan but never found much traction in the United States where manufacturers seemed more interested in pursuing a competing format called Digital Compact Cassette (DCC) that was created by Philips and Matsushita.

Both eventually gave way to the widespread appeal of the compact disc (CD) and MP3 players.  The MD largely faded from view in the early 2000s and Sony eventually ceased its production line of MD players in 2013.

I can remember a good friend of mine buying an MD recorder and I envied him. But then the recordable compact disk (CD-R) came out. Then my friend was envying me!

Arthur Zepeda and Home Video Studio in Visalia specialize in the preservation of family memories and yes, we can transfer the memories from MD discs and store them on CDs or as MP3 files. We can transfer so many different formats! For more information, call 559-732-3050 or visit http://www.homevideostudio.com/art

Remembering Kodak

Was there ever a company that has had more impact on the American family than

Eastman Kodak? The slides, photos, and movie film that contain the images of our past were most likely processed by this one company. Some of our most vivid memories became such because they were chosen by our parents to be our “Kodak Moments.” Here are some interesting facts taken from the Internet regarding the most ubiquitous brand in photo and film history:

1. Kodak has nine Academy Awards, more commonly known as Oscars. The most recent was received in 2008 for the development of photographic emulsion technologies.

2. Kodak founder, American inventor George Eastman, patented a way of storing film in rolls in 1884, but it wasn’t until four years later that he had perfected the first camera to take advantage of his invention.

3. The name Kodak is meaningless and was chosen because it was impossible to mispronounce and dissimilar to any existing words.

4. George Eastman said that K was his favorite letter and that he had wanted to incorporate it into his company’s name. He said: “A trademark should be short. It must mean nothing.”

5. The film used on NASA’s Apollo 11 moon missions was manufactured by Kodak. Each double-perforated 70mm roll could capture 160 color pictures or 200 black and white images.

6. Kodak’s engineers were issued 19,576 US patents between 1900 and 1999. Some 4,478 of these were awarded between 1995 and 1999.

7. Kodak was the first company to build a working digital camera. An engineer named Steven Sasson created the 3.6kg device which stored images on cassette tape, had a 0.01mp resolution and took 23 seconds to expose each image.

8. The company founded its research labs in 1912, which made it one of the US’s first industrial research laboratories.

9. Kodak passed up the chance to become the official film sponsor of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Japanese competitor Fuji won the bid, giving it a foothold in the US market.

10. In 1995 Kodak filed a petition with the WTO arguing that unfair practices by Fuji had kept it from gaining ground in the Japanese market. Three years later the WTO published a “sweeping rejection of Kodak’s complaints”.

11. Kodak developed aerial cameras and trained US Signal Corps photographers during World War I.

12. Steve McCurry used Kodachrome film for his 1984 portrait of Sharbat Gula, the ‘Afghan Girl’, for the National Geographic magazine.

13. In 1895 the Pocket Kodak was launched at a price of just $5. It’s small size meant it could be carried in a coat pocket.

14. Apple launched a digital camera in 1994, the QuickTake. It was actually designed by Kodak and had been released in Japan months before under its own brand name.

15. In NASA’s 1997 Mars Surface Rover mission, Kodak image sensors were used to capture close-up images of the red planet.

16. In 2005 Kodak unveiled the EasyShare-One digital camera which was equipped with Wi-Fi and allowed photographers to email pictures.

17. In 1976 Kodak had a 90pc market share for photographic film and an 85pc share of camera sales in the US.

18. Kodak researchers invented OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) technology, which is being used to power the next generation of ultra-thin televisions, in 1987.

19. Kodak designed the optics for the Chandra X-ray space telescope in 1999.

20. in 2005 Kodak bought an Israeli company called OREX Computed Radiography which developed a technology for taking digital x-rays.

21. The first Kodak camera launched in 1888 with the slogan: “You press the button, we do the rest.” It cost $25 and came with enough film for 100 pictures.

22. Kodachrome film was used by Walton Sound and Film Services during the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.

23. Kodachrome was invented by professional musicians Leopold Godowsky and Leopold Mannes, leading to comments that it was “made by God and Man”.

24. Images shot on Kodachrome can be safely stored for decades undeveloped and still retain accurate colours.

25. A 35mm Kodachrome transparency can record the equivalent of 20 megapixels in digital image terms.

26. Paul Simon wrote a song, Kodachrome, about the film. It made number 9 in the US charts, just ahead of Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree by Dawn featuring Tony Orlando.

27. Kodak scientists invented the photoresist, which is now used to manufacture integrated circuits.

28. Dorothea Lange used Kodak film to capture her famous ‘Migrant Mother’ photograph in 1936.

29. Prior to starting Kodak, George Eastman invented an emulsion-coating machine in 1879 that allowed him to mass-produce photographic dry plates. Two years later he formed a partnership with a family friend, quit his job as a bank clerk and set up in business.

30. The Eastman Savings and Loan Association was set up to help Kodak employees buy a home. It remained part of the company until it was split-off as a credit union in 1994.

Arthur Zepeda and Home Video Studio www.homevideostudio.com/art specialize in the preservation of Kodak Moments using digital technology. Located in Visalia, Ca, they can be reached at 559-732-3050

The Perfect Gift

Scratching your head for that perfect romantic gift idea?  Allow me to make a suggestion.

Every couple I know has a song. Maybe it was playing when you met. Or perhaps it was the song chosen for your first dance as man and wife. Then again it could simply be a song that, for you, tells the story of your life together or the story that you long to be yours.

No matter the case, there’s a song that probably holds a special meaning for you. So take that song and use it as the soundtrack for a slideshow comprised of pictures you’ve taken during your life together.  There is something absolutely magical that happens when you add music to pictures.

It has been said that 80% of any video is the audio component. Pictures may tell the story but it’s the soundtrack that sells the story. It adds the missing emotional heft that drives the story straight into the heart of its audience.

Even pictures that you may have seen hundreds of times will take on new meaning when coupled with a song that tweaks the heartstrings. So, for a perfect gift to give to a loved one, choose pictures that tell their story and combine it with a soundtrack that will breath new life and emotion to those pictures.  Take it from me – it is an unforgettable combination… and makes for a gift that will keep on giving for many more years to come.

Arthur Zepeda and Home Video Studio specialize in the creation of video gifts and photo/video keepsakes. They are located in Visalia, Ca. and can be reached by calling 559-732-3050 or visiting: www.homevideostudio.com/art

Brand Wars

There have been many brand wars throughout consumer history:

Pepsi vs Coke.

iPhone vs Android.

Burger King vs McDonalds.

Mac vs PC.

The head-scratching decision for everyone was: “Should I invest in the Sony Betamax or in the newer and less expensive Video Home System which became known simply as VHS?”

There were advocates on either side. Both did basically the same thing.  They worked with cassette tapes which could fit into a camera, record footage, and instantly play it back. They also both made videotape players that were attached to the television and capable of not only playing their tapes but recording your favorite TV programs onto blank tapes. They both came with programmable timers so you never had to miss your favorite shows. But neither would play the other format’s tapes. The consumer had to choose between them.

Most acknowledge that the picture quality was superior on the Betamax. And Sony was the first to the market with their product which should have given them the advantage. However, VHS was not too far behind them and because, unlike Sony, who held close reins on their technology, the VHS developers shared their technology with multiple manufacturers. This spurred competition in the marketplace and kept the VHS prices lower as a result.

Also, some people think another reason Betamax did not grow to dominate the

field was its limited recording time ability. Beta tapes were initially held to a maximum of one hour. It didn’t take long for consumers to demand more. After all, most movies lasted longer than 60 minutes. Likewise, who wanted to record just the first half (or quarter) of a televised football game?  VHS was the first to respond to this perceived need with an SP/EP/LP recording option that eventually gave users the ability to record up to eight hours of programs on a single tape.  While the extended play option did reduce the picture quality significantly, that didn’t slow the sales juggernaut as the vast majority of buyers lined up for the VHS products. Sony finally capitulated in the late 1980s by offering its own VHS line thus signaling what would prove to be the end of Betamax.

Arthur Zepeda and Home Video Studio specialize in the preservation of family memories and can successfully transfer both VHS and Betamax videotapes to a digital form for continued enjoyment. They can be reached at 559-732-3050 or by visiting http://www.homevideostudio.com/art

Why Super 8 was super

Super 8 film was a vast improvement over the regular 8mm film that was being used at the time. 8mm was nothing more than 16mm film cut in half… literally.  Camera operators would need to feed a 25 foot, 16mm sized film cartridge into their cameras, shoot their footage which would record on one side of the strip, then remove the cartridge, flip it over and shoot again so the images would record on the other half. When the the film reached the lab for processing, it was then split down the middle and spliced together to form the 50 foot 8mm film reel that has become so iconic. It was, in a word, a pain.

Super 8 simplified the matter and, by doing so, ushered in a new age of amateur filmmaking. Spielberg was not the only one who cut their auteur’s teeth on Super 8 film. Directors J.J. Abrams, Tim Burton, David Fincher, Christopher Nolan and Michael Bay have all reflected fondly on their cinematic beginnings that started with a Super 8 camera. 

Here, copied from a Live Science blog of 2011 are some random facts about Super 8:

• Although Kodak no longer produces Super 8 cameras, the company still makes four different kinds of Super 8 film. (You can find used Super 8 cameras on eBay.)

• The last manufacturer to produce Super 8 cameras was the French company Beaulieu, which continued making the cameras well into the ’90s.

• Super 8 continues to be used in the film community as an inexpensive alternative to high-definition video. “It tends to be more for small films, commercials and music videos rather than the big blockbuster movies found in theaters,” Johnson said.

• Super 8 film was made using Kodachrome, a type of color reversal film that was manufactured by Kodak from 1935 to 2006. The color was used in motion picture cameras as well as still cameras, especially for images intended for publication in print media. Steve McCurry used Kodachrome for his well-known 1984 portrait of Sharbat Gula, the “Afghan Girl”, for National Geographic magazine.

• The new “Super 8” app recreates the experience of having an old-school Super 8 camera by letting you adjust different lens and filter effects while recording a video on your iPhone, iPad or iTouch. The app also contains embedded information about Steven Spielberg’s new “Super 8” movie as part of its marketing.

Arthur Zepeda and Home Video Studio specialize in the preservation of family memories, including films shot in 8mm, Super 8, and 16mm format. They can be reached at 559-732-3050. http://www.homevideostudio.com/art

Your first call for unique and heartfelt Holiday gifts

The Holiday Season is upon us! Christmas means that once again hearts will turn toward home and families will gather to share their lives and bask in the warmth of this wonderful time. Did you know video was made for this season?

• Do you have 8mm or 16mm home movies? They are priceless! Transfer them to a Platinum Archival DVD. This scratch-proof DVD is exclusively ours, and is rated to last many, many years. You and your loved ones will enjoy them for the decades to come!

• What about all the tapes you have of your kids’ first days, first steps, and first dates? There’s a lot of your life contained on those VHS, VHS-C, 8mm, and Mini DV’s. Make sure you keep those memories safe by transferring them to Platinum Archival DVD as well. We'll transfer them all onto a convenient and long-lasting Platinum Archival disc - complete with scene selection and menu.

• Do something with those still photos and 35mm slides! Are they sitting around in boxes? A Photo Video Keepsake will take your favorite photos and slides and produce a one-of-a-kind work of art complete with titles, special effects and music. And think of the space you’ll save putting all your stills on a DVD or thumb drive! Plus you and your loved ones will enjoy these precious images even more when they are digitized and convenient.

• What are you doing with your smartphone videos? Instead of sending traditional paper greeting cards, how about putting some of the year’s video clips on a DVD video Christmas card? What about the videos you shoot during your family get-togethers? We can edit your video clips from before, during, and after Christmas into a creative family video. Don’t leave your videos from this special time on your phone! Let’s get creative!

Here are three reasons why Home Video Studio should be your first call this Holiday Season. 

1. Your home movies, tapes, photos, slides, and recent videos all make great gifts.

• What’s more unique and heartfelt than lasting memories of those you love?
• Attractive packaging. Custom labeling and beautiful, artistic album cases available.
• What if you (gasp) forget someone? Extra copies of anything are a quick phone call away!
• We also have attractive gift certificates!

2. Your home movies, tapes, photos, slides, and recent videos all make great entertainment.

• Once your video gifts are opened the whole family can enjoy them immediately.
• Video is something young and old will enjoy together.

3. We can help you make new memories

• With the family in one place it’s time to shoot more video and stills.
• Let us help you get creative and plan for the upcoming year.

Call us! Thanksgiving is days away and Christmas is right on its heels. Let's put our heads together to make this the best Holiday season ever! If you start thinking now there's no telling what your creative mind will dream up to make a most memorable Holiday gift.

Don’t delay. Christmas is only weeks away! 

559-732-3050

Email: arthur.z@homevideostudio.com

Transferring VHS to Digital in Bulk: How to Duplicate Your Video Library

VHS video tapes were a fantastic invention and were incredibly popular in their prime. They allowed you to watch blockbuster movies in the comfort of your own home, capture your own home movie magic and create corporate and training videos that could be played over and over. Of course, you had to own the right equipment to do so, but just a couple of decades ago, almost all homes and many businesses boasted their own VCR.

Today, the required playback equipment is quickly becoming obsolete and this leaves a big problem for those who have extensive libraries of aging media, including VHS tapes, Hi8, Digital8, Betamax, 8mm tapes, MiniDV and other videocassettes. Whether you own home movies, Hollywood hits, or corporate content, the tapes themselves hold immense value. It is therefore important to preserve this content so that it can be viewed easily in the future. The good news is that there are services that can help with transferring videocassettes and VHS to digital in bulk and that can give you more freedom over sharing and viewing your content.

The Benefits of Transferring VHS to Digital in Bulk

There are many reasons why you might want to consider transferring your videocassette and VHS tapes to digital format. For one thing, large collections of VHS tapes can take up vast amounts of space. This is space that can be easily reclaimed when you convert your VHS content to digital. Once transferred to a digital format, you can choose to dispose of or archive your VHS tapes, confident in the knowledge that you have the content available in a more durable and versatile format. This also holds true for other forms of outdated interfaces.

Another major benefit of digitizing video content is that you make it instantly available to any device. Whether you need to watch content on your computer or you would like to view content on your mobile phone while on the move, digital formats allow you to do this with ease. By transferring to digital, you also make your content shareable. This is especially convenient for businesses looking to share training videos with other offices or for families looking to share magical memories with loved ones.

VHS can be transferred onto a variety of mediums, including DVD or digital file format. Both options allow you to transfer dated video content easily and can be duplicated as many times as you wish.

The Professional VHS Transfer Process

The process of transferring any videocassette format or VHS to digital in bulk is always best handled by a professional company with the right equipment. When you have a large collection of VHS tapes, you can save a great deal of time and effort by hiring a professional to take care of conversion for you.

The process is simple. Box up your video tapes and send them or take them in person to a professional transfer service. You can be sure that your precious tapes will be expertly cared for and painstakingly transferred to the medium of your choice. Using specialist equipment, your tapes will be converted to a digital format and preserved for future generations to enjoy over and over again. Whether you have a large collection of video tapes of family get-togethers or you have a vast collection of corporate tapes that tell your company story, all of your recorded memories will be converted into a durable, modern and versatile format that will preserve your stories for many years to come.

Bulk Transfers That Never Compromise on Quality

You may be concerned that having your video content transferred to digital in bulk will result in poor-quality duplication. When you use a professional transfer, these concerns can be set aside. Each individual tape will be converted using a proven and precise process. The result is an exact duplicate of the content on each tape and in many cases, the quality can be improved.

Once your VHS or videocassette content has been transferred, you will have all original tapes returned to you in the same condition in which they arrived, plus you’ll have all content available in a digital format. Once digitized, you can choose to view and share content on a huge range of devices and duplicate these copies further if you wish. DVD copies can be played on a range of devices, including computers, laptops and DVD players. Digital files can be played on computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets and any device that is compatible with digital file formats.

Relive Your Memories Over and Over

When you have professional VHS transfer services at your fingertips, there is no reason to lose your memories to the hands of time. Free those memories and gain storage space by having your VHS tapes transferred to a digital format in bulk. Once digitized, you’ll never have to hunt down an elusive video player again.

The possibilities are endless once converted to a more modern format and no matter where you are or how many times you want to view your content, you know you can do so on any device and without jeopardizing the quality. Whether you have hundreds of videos in your collection or a handful of treasured tapes that you would like digitized, using a professional service will always ensure the best results.

Call us today! 559-732-3050

We’re your first (and maybe only) stop for unique and heartfelt Holiday gifts

The Holiday Season is nearly upon us! Thanksgiving is days away, with Christmas right on its heels. Here's some good news. You may already have the perfect gift for everyone. All you need is the wrapping!!

The gift? All the good times, special events, cherished moments and love that your family has captured through the years on 8mm and 16mm film, video tape, slides, photos and smartphones.

The wrapping? Why not wrap these precious memories together onto a DVD? All you need to do is gather them all together and call us today!

Video was made for this season!

• Do you have 8mm or 16mm home movies? They are priceless! Transfer them to our exclusive Platinum Archival 45 DVD. This scratch-proof DVD is rated to last many years. You and your loved ones will enjoy them for the decades to come!
• Where are all your video tapes? There's a lot of your life contained on those VHS, VHS-C, 8mm, and Mini DV's. Keep those memories safe for your kids and grandkids! Transfer them to Platinum Archival DVD as well - complete with scene selection and menu.
• Are your photos sitting in boxes? Are your 35mm slides stacked in carousels? How about getting them digitized for convenient and safe storage! Call us for state-of-the-art photo and slide transfers so you and the generations to come can enjoy them!

Do you need more reasons to call us this Holiday Season?

• Create a PhotoVideo Keepsake for the centerpiece of your occasion. Imagine grandparents, parents and children enjoying a heartwarming "through the years" montage.
• DVDs look great! We provide attractive labeling and we can also customize for you.
• We can make copies. DVDs make great stocking stuffers!
• DVDs are convenient last second gifts! Unexpected Holiday surprises? We're a phone call away.
• We offer attractive Gift Certificates as well!

You already have the precious gifts. We'll help you wrap them in a safe, long-lasting, convenient DVD!

Call us today! Don't delay.
Christmas is only weeks away!
559-732-3050

What Is VHS to DVD Conversion?

Technology moves faster than most people care to keep up with, which is why you might be one of the millions of home or business owners with a storage closet packed full of old VHS tapes. Although many people are quick to assume these old tapes are trash, you might actually be able to salvage those films with VHS to DVD conversion. Here is a little more information about this delicate process and why you should consider having your tapes transformed into DVDs.

Understanding Media Conversion

What Is VHS to DVD Conversion?

VHS to DVD conversion is the process of transferring the images and sounds present on your old VHS tapes onto DVDs you can use in modern computers and DVD players. Although there are different ways of doing this, the most common way to transfer VHS tapes to DVD format is by using proprietary software and a tape deck that plays the tape while simultaneously recording the information onto a DVD. The technician can even create DVD chapters to give the user the chance to quickly access certain parts of the tape or improve the picture and sound quality before the final disc is created.

Why Should You Have Your Tapes Converted?

Although many people don’t realize it, VHS tapes are a magnetic media form that degrades over time. In fact, research has shown tapes lose as much as 10% to 20% of their picture quality after about 10 to 25 years because of magnetic remanence decay alone, leaving you with only a portion of the sound and film experience you once enjoyed.

Additionally, the longer you store VHS tapes, the more likely they will experience some form of damage due to sunlight exposure, heat, or water, which could render your footage completely unusable. On the other hand, having your tapes converted to DVD gives you the chance to download those videos to your personal computer, share them easily, create redundant copies, or upload them to cloud-based storage websites.  

Are you ready to have your favorite memories or films preserved in a digital format? Home Video Studio-Visalia in Visalia, CA, specializes in creating business event videos, in addition to VHS to DVD conversion. Whether you need to preserve those useful training videos to keep your hiring process consistent or can’t let those family videos go to waste, this experienced professional will treat your media with the utmost care. For more information about their services, visit them online or call (559) 732-3050.

Video Transfer: 3 Reasons to Move Your Memories to DVD

Do you have boxes filled with tapes of past birthday parties and graduations? The professionals at Home Video Studio-Visalia in St. Paul, MN, understand that these videos are family treasures. That’s why they have specialized in video transfer services since 2002. From standard to Blu-Ray, the team will convert almost any video to DVD for your viewing convenience. Below, they explain why it’s in your best interest to upgrade your VHS tapes to DVDs.

Video Transfer: 3 Reasons to Upgrade to DVDs

1. They Are Easier to Use Online

DVDs are much more compatible with computers than VHS tapes are. Today’s families may not live in the same area, but DVDs make it easy to share important memories through social media or email. You can further protect your family’s memories by uploading the DVD contents to cloud-based storage, so you never lose them, and they’re always accessible.

2. You Can Store More Memories Using Less Space

Video transfers drastically reduce the physical storage space required, as DVDs are obviously much smaller than their VHS counterparts. Additionally, shorter video recordings can be merged onto one disc for up to two hours of footage. 

3. VHS Tapes Are Borderline Obsolete

You may still find tape players in a few homes. However, this technology is quickly becoming obsolete. As fewer players function, the ability to view your memories at all decreases. VHS to DVD transfer updates your videos today, so you can enjoy them for years to come. Plus, DVDs can be played on multiple devices, such as laptops and gaming systems.

Using video transfer services is an affordable way to preserve priceless memories. Home Video Studio-Visalia in Visalia, CA has the equipment and experience needed to keep your footage safe throughout the conversion process. Give the them a call today at (559) 732-3050 to schedule an appointment, and visit them online for more information on their services.

Video Services Company Shares What to Do With Your Old Cassette Tapes

Cassette tapes used to be the symbol of the pop music era until video production took over the music scene. Not long after, tape collections were replaced by CDs and DVDs. However, this doesn’t mean you have to throw away your collection of cassette tapes.

Here are some projects you can do to make use of them:

• Tape Twine: A 60-minute cassette contains as much as 285 feet of strong tape that can be used for a lot of household applications. In the garden, you can use it to tie flowers or vegetables to a main support. You can also bundle recyclable newspapers with it or use it to wrap gifts in a unique way.

• Storage: Tapes offer small to large storage solutions. Put a few together, and you have something to put on your table to organize your pens and office trinkets. Combine a hundred more with a strong adhesive, and you have yourself a nostalgic storage box.

• Retro Holder: If you crack a cassette tape open and take out the insides, the case can be repurposed into a card holder, an iPod® touch case, or a wallet. You can personalize it further by using the cassette tape of your favorite music artist.

• Stylish Lamp: Translucent cassette tapes can be transformed into beautiful, eco-friendly light sources. If you have an ample supply of tapes, glue them together to form your desired shape and size. Use DIY lamp making parts or lighting kits, which can usually be found at your local craft store, to make the project easier.

• Audio Transfer: One of the best ways to preserve your favorite cassette tape is to have it converted to a digital format. This way, you can still listen to old recordings in whatever modern platform you’re currently using.

For quality audio transferring services, Home Video Studio-Visalia in Visalia, CA, can help. The company can modernize your treasured memories, whether you want to turn your cassette tapes into CDs or a VHS into a DVD. Give them a call today at (559) 732-3050 to discuss your needs, and visit their website for more information on their services.