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Re: video storage containers



Thanks, Jim,

Food for thought!

KVB

> ----------
> From:         Jim Lindner[SMTP:jim@VIDIPAX.COM]
> Reply To:     Archives & Archivists
> Sent:         Tuesday, April 25, 2000 5:26 PM
> To:   ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU
> Subject:      Re: video storage containers
>
> Both ANSI and SMPTE recommendations include having tapes stored on edge -
> similar to that of a book. You can store them on any edge (there are 4)
> but
> NOT flat laying down on the side.  I have never read anywhere that
> longevity
> is "enhanced" by this, but rather that storing tapes laying flat is
> definitely not recommended and can severely damage the tape. The logic?
> there are several aspects to it- and as a company that sees all sorts of
> old
> and damaged tapes I can tell you that edge damage can and does occur, and
> when it does occur it can lead to catastrophic problems (i.e. make it very
> difficult to play back).
>
>  Basically the concern is the tape "pack" - specifically pack stress and
> damage that can occur if there are popped strands (or individual wind
> layers
> in the tape that are raised above the other layers). When stored flat, the
> cassette may have pressure from other tapes that are laid on top of it,
> that
> can cause a distortion of the plastic which transmits the weight directly
> to
> the tape pack. Cassettes are not designed to hold the weight on the flat
> surface - SO what happens is that popped strands and the pack can be
> exposed
> to stress which can severely damage the tape. When stored on the edge, the
> weight is not distributed to the pack, but is distributed in the heavier
> plastic edges in the cassette shell. Even if the tapes do not have
> additional weight on top of them, over time gravity will do its job.  So
> that is the reason behind it. As a practical matter there are other
> reasons
> too. For disaster prevention reasons you would prefer to have a tape on
> edge
> because the protection is better in case of water. The water will tend to
> drip off as opposed to pooling on a large surface area.
>
> So there are many reasons.  Now as far as increasing longevity - that is
> another question entirely. And while on that subject - archival containers
> such as the ones you are storing them in are of no real benefit. Remember
> that the tape is housed inside a plastic shell which in turn is hopefully
> in
> a relatively inert library container - the outside acid free box is
> fine -but do not think that this is really going to do anything to
> longevity... and these containers are very expensive. Maybe the solution
> to
> the problem is to remove them from the storage box and put them directly
> on
> the shelf - this is the way they are stored in most large collections. If
> there is any out gassing it can escape to the general environment in the
> room. Temperature and humidity control are a must.
>
>
> jim
>
>
> jim
>
> Jim Lindner - President
> VidiPax - The Magnetic Media and Information Migration Full Services
> Company
> Telephone 212-563-1999
> www.vidipax.com
> Moderator of A/V Media Matters@topica.com
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Archives & Archivists [mailto:ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU]On
> > Behalf Of Bunker, Kevin
> > Sent: Monday, April 24, 2000 7:21 PM
> > To: ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU
> > Subject: video storage containers
> >
> >
> > I'd like some broad opinions fromthose out there with large video
> > (VHS/SVHS)
> > storage experience.
> >
> > I have recently read that videos shelf-life is enhanced if the
> > casettes are
> > stored standing on end. The logic behind this is???
> >
> > Our institution has some 600 c.f. of legislative videos presently
> > stored, on
> > end, in traditional letter/legal 1 c.f. acid free boxes; we can fit
> little
> > more than 35 - 40 videos per box in this manner. All are in a
> > temperature/hunidity-controlled vault.
> >
> > The problem with this present oversize box storage method is that
> > the videos
> > are labeled on their spines/sides, which makes them exceedingly
> > difficult to
> > easily find, keep in order, refile, etc. Take two or three out of the
> > carton, and they flop around, get out of order, and so on. Ugh!
> >
> > I'm toying with the idea of side-storage in metal edge archival
> > photo boxes
> > that would take 12 - 15 tapes per box, but want to know more about the
> > long-term preservation aspects first. Id' really rather be able to see
> the
> > spine/side labels to make things easier for the staff.
> >
> > All ideas and suggestions are cheerfully welcomed.
> >
> > Kevin V. Bunker
> > Student Assistant
> > California State Archives
> >
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> >
>
> A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to listserv@listserv.muohio.edu
>       In body of message:  SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname
>                     *or*:  UNSUB ARCHIVES
> To post a message, send e-mail to archives@listserv.muohio.edu
>
> Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
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>
> Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>
>

A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!

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Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
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Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>