By Cheryl Eagers, Owner Operator Of Your Video Angel – Digital Conversion Service location in Mackay, Servicing Australia Wide.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late – Why Now Is the Time to Convert Your VHS & Camcorder Tapes to DVD or USB
When was the last time you watched your old family videos? Maybe they’re tucked away in a cupboard, a garage, or even a storage container—waiting for “one day” when you’ll finally sort them out. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: those VHS and camcorder tapes are already deteriorating, and the longer you leave them, the more at risk your precious memories become.
Most tapes are now between 15 to 30 years old, and unfortunately, time is not on their side. Magnetic tape naturally breaks down over the years—especially if stored in warm, humid, or dusty environments. Mould, dust, sticky tape layers, and warping are common issues that can make tapes unplayable or cause footage to be permanently lost.
“I’ll Get to It One Day…”
It’s something I hear almost every day:
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“They’re not a priority right now.”
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“I’ve got to find them first—they’re somewhere in the shed.”
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“I’m planning to do it myself eventually.”
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“I’ll sort it out when I retire.”
The problem is, while you wait, your tapes keep deteriorating. Some tapes are already showing signs of irreversible damage—and once that happens, the memories stored on them could be gone for good.
Why Digital Conversion Is So Important
By digitising your tapes now, you:
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Protect irreplaceable memories before they’re lost
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Declutter drawers and cupboards while preserving what matters
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Unlock forgotten treasures—family holidays, school concerts, moments with loved ones no longer here
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Create easy-to-share versions that your whole family can enjoy, now and in the future
Once converted, your footage is returned on a clearly labelled USB or external hard drive—ready to be viewed on modern devices, shared with family, or passed down to future generations.
Cleaning, Repairing & Saving Footage Is What We Do
At Your Video Angel, we specialise in cleaning, repairing, and digitising old video and camcorder tapes to DVD or USB. Whether it’s VHS, VHS-C, 8mm, DV, or other formats, we treat each job with care and attention, just as if they were our own family memories.
Sometimes, tapes are already damaged or affected by mould. We go the extra mile to clean and repair what we can—often saving footage that may seem lost. But as time goes on, this process is becoming more difficult, time-consuming, and costly. That’s why acting now is the best decision you can make.
The photo above shows just how quickly old tapes can deteriorate. Mould growth is a common issue, especially in humid environments like sheds or garages, and once it sets in, it can damage the magnetic layer of the tape—resulting in permanent quality loss or unreadable footage. In other cases, the tape becomes brittle and shreds during playback or repair, leading to lost footage that can’t be recovered. This kind of damage is exactly why it’s important to act now. At Your Video Angel, we specialise in cleaning and restoring mouldy or damaged tapes, giving your memories the best chance of being saved and enjoyed again.
Serving Mackay & Australia Wide
Based in Mackay, we offer local drop-off and delivery, as well as Australia-wide postal services. You can safely send your tapes, and we’ll return them carefully packaged with your digitised memories—ready to relive and enjoy.
If you’ve been putting it off, now’s the time. Let’s save your memories before they disappear.
Cick here to fill in the contact form to find out more.
Talk soon,
Cheryl.
