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These days, it’s so common to have collections of old video tapes, or even just the odd tape lying around your home. These videos can hold precious memories, and while it’s great to sit down and reminisce with these old home movies, for many people these tapes cannot be watched unless you have a functioning video player. Therefore, more often than not, your old video tapes are simply taking up valuable space, all while their condition is degrading.

The solution to this problem is to do a video to digital conversion of all of your old tapes. While you have a choice of how to convert, such as using a professional video format conversion service like ours, you also have a choice of the digital format you want to transfer your video to, either DVD or USB. 

So, the question is, should you convert video to USB or DVD? It’s important to way up the advantages of each, before deciding what would suit you and your video collection best.

Transferring Video to DVD

One of the most popular formats in video to digital conversion is DVD and transferring to this can offer you many benefits.

Firstly, in comparison to bulky tapes such as VHS, using DVD will save you lots of space in your home. Additionally, due to their sleeker design, DVDs can also be stored and transported easily, which is great if you plan on sharing your old memories with family and friends. 

Another advantage of transferring video to DVD is that it’s more accessible. On top of the fact that over time your old tapes are at risk of degrading and being damaged, it is also very uncommon to own a tape player. On the other hand, DVDs can be more easily watched and not just through a DVD player, although they are far more common to own. DVDs can be played through both TVs and laptops, which makes them far more accessible.

Converting Video to USB

Although transferring to DVD is certainly more accessible and convenient in comparison to your old tapes, it is also worth noting that while DVDs are still used at the moment, they are very quickly becoming obsolete much like old video tape formats.

For example, more recent models of TVs and laptops are being made without internal disc drives, which means that you can no longer play your converted footage, or you have to buy an external disk drive for your laptop. As a result, converting video to USB seems like a better solution that also has other advantages.  

Firstly, USBs are highly portable and the converted video files can be easily shared. Even though DVDs are less bulky in comparison to video tapes, USBs are even smaller and even easier to travel with, especially if you need a large number of DVDs. So, if you have a larger collection of footage that you would like to transfer, then USB is the way to go. Additionally, USBs need no extra casing or protection when transporting them, so you can easily travel with your memories without the worry of damage.

USB video conversion can also offer a better quality conversion than DVD as you’re not limited to the bit/rate of the DVD which is especially noticeable on longer tapes.

Another advantage of a USB video format conversion is its compatibility. As mentioned previously, the use of the DVD is also on the decline thanks to developing technology such as streaming.

Meaning, you can find it difficult to find somewhere to watch DVDs. USBs on the other hand, are still compatible with a range of devices. Many TVs have a USB port and so do laptops and computers, so you have more choice on where you want to enjoy your memories. You can even plug in your USB to friends’ or family’s devices, which make sharing even easier.

It is also easy to add metadata and information to your converted video files making it easy to find your special moments and you can upload your video files to the cloud or share online.

Deciding What’s Right for You

When deciding what format to use for your video to digital conversion, the most important thing to consider is how you will be watching your footage and if you’ll want to share it with others. For example, if you want to enjoy your memories simply in the comfort of your own home and you already own a DVD player or have a compatible laptop, then DVD may be the best option for you. However, if you’re looking for an easily transportable format so that you can share your footage with friends and family, then USB sounds like the right choice for you.

Whatever, video conversion format you choose to go for, Transfermagic can accommodate, as we are experts in converting to USB and DVD. Get in touch with us today to start your video to digital conversion!

Photo credit: Cameron Bunney

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  • 5
    "The service from TransferMagic was very fast and efficient. My Super-8 films were taken good care of and the digitised content was supplied in several different file formats. Bob was very friendly and helpful and communication was good. A first-rate service."
    Karolyn Wellings
  • 5
    "Many thanks to Bob at Transfermagic for putting my old Super 8 cine films from the 1970's on to memory stick. Good, quick and friendly service enabled me to see my memories again after all these years on my TV and laptop. Many thanks"
    Brian
    Edinburgh
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    "Thank you for doing such a wonderful job in transferring my relatives 50 year old slides to DVD this week. The images look as though they were captured yesterday, with perfect clarity. I had been nervous about handing the slides over to someone I didn’t know, but I needn’t have worried. Bob McDougall, owner of transfermagic was very helpful, and professional, and even with a busy workload managed to fit in our slide transfer with a quick turnaround time. I would highly recommend this company and plan to hunt out all our old films for transfer to DVD by transfermagic"
    Lorna Hill
  • 5
    "We had our family videos transferred onto DVD and hard drive. I found Bob's advice really helpful. He was able to guide us on what would be the best format to transfer to for all the family to access. It is great for our whole family to be able to watch our wedding, old holidays, birthday and Christmas videos on the computer and on tv. It was quick and easy to deal with Transfermagic and I would thoroughly recommend them to anyone."
    Mr D Swanson
    Balerno
  • 5
    “Just wanted to say thanks for the great job of converting the old cine films to DVD. My Mum and Dad are absolutely delighted with the result and love the music too. It has brought back so many fantastic memories for them and we can now hand them down through the generations never to be forgotten.”
    Lynn and Paul Bannon
  • 5
    Thanks I’m thrilled with dvd etc.... .wow!
    Sue Robinson
  • 5
    "I thought you might welcome some ( glowing) feedback on the work you undertook on behalf of the Gordon family in transferring my late mother’s cine films to DVD format. All three brothers now have their copies and all, like me, have commented on the excellent job you have done : the “menus” on each DVD and the music were unexpected extras that really help navigate the films. We are thrilled with your service, start to finish and have already recommended you to others. Sincere thanks for the way you have preserved invaluable childhood memories for all of us, for your efficiency and professionalism throughout."
    Diana Nelson
    London
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    “Recently I rediscovered some early cine film that I had taken, it has lain unwatched in my loft for forty years. I learned that it can be transferred to DVD. The result has been that I’m now able to watch my late wife as a young woman, something that has proved to be very emotional and pleasurable. I’m pleased that I found the cine film, I’m pleased that the work was done to such a high standard by your company. I will end now, I’ve a DVD of a young woman to watch”. Many, many thanks.
    Edward Skelly
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    "Thanks so much for the DVD's! Brilliant work. Really quick & professional service. The scanned images and discs look brilliant, and all over the space of a weekend! I'll spread the word."
    Dr Michael Norbury
    Edinburgh
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