[wally_bert]

Most people expect high quality production from SLP VHS and other weak formats for pennies.

I use a Rode microphone myself. Audio generally gets cut for stock submissions unless it is really relevant.. Typically, I render the audio for stock audio in Audacity.

I have a Betacam SP in the closet that I bought on Ebay cheap. Mostly because I used to work with them in TV production land.

[dhs12345]

Exactly. Until the tape is breaks or deteriorates and is no longer readable. Then they panic and are probably willing to pay hundreds. By then, it is too late.

Important point: DVD media is far from perfect has a very limited shelf life. Even the disks that promise 20 years. They guarantee the disks but not what is on them.

Makes you realize how much we depend on the technology. Ironically, it is the old family black and white picture stored away under the bed that will last centuries if it is taken care of. Best of all it is very low technology — it doesn't require a complicated piece of hardware to view it. Just the good ol’ human eye.