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Why DVD?

DVD's, with proper care*, should last generations. Videotapes do not.

1. Tapes break, stretch and need to be rewound at least once per year.
   
2. DVD's are much better at fast forward and reverse.
   
3. Tapes do not have a skip ahead chapter scene function.
   
4. Tapes can degrade within 10 years. Tape life expectancy chart
   
5. DVD's can be repaired, either by yourself (DVDdr and other brands) or by a vendor. [Vendor cost: ~$5.00]
   Most people do not want to try to repair tapes.
   
6. Special effects and transitions between scenes are more easily added on a computer than at the camera, with a larger variety of effects and transitions available.
   
7. DVD's take up less storage area.
   
8. DVD's show twice the lines of resolution on a tv than tapes use. (240 vs 500)
   
9. Tapes will wear out on repeated viewings.
   
   * Proper care: Handle by the edges only, replace in case after use, do not expose to liquids or direct sunlight.

Verbatim's website for DVD expectancy.
Verbatim estimates 100 year archival life. We estimate a minimum of 2 generations (40 years).

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