GM> JE> There are projectors made that go directly from 8mm to VCR
GM> JE> tape WITHOUT using a video camera to take pictures of the
GM> JE> projected image.

GM>Yeah, I know -- a combination of a movie projector and a video
GM>camera all in one unit. I worked with a number of them in
GM>broadcasting. We called them telecine machines.

GM>But for the home setup, it is easiest to put a low power lamp in
GM>your projector, focus the image onto a ground glass screen about
4" x 6"
GM>(which may need a bit of modification to the lens system of the
GM>projector) then focus the video camera onto the back of the
GM>screen.

I rarely EVER take the easiest way to do anything UNLESS it
also provides the best or equal results. The method you
describe would have considerable loss of quality I'd think.

GM>Oh yes, one other thing: since the above gives you a TV picture
GM>that is inverted left-to-right, you should add a front silvered
GM>mirror in the path to reverse the image back the way it should
GM>be.

More possible quality loss.

GM> JE> Maybe it would be better to also preserve them by
GM> JE> digitizing them and keeping a file of that - say on a CDR.

GM>Yeah, but the whole point of this discussion is that we don't
GM>know what the true lifetime of a digitized recording is going to
GM>be.

Far longer than VHS tapes.

GM>I suspect that it may be a _LOT_ shorter than most people think.

GM>And there is some doubt as to whether someone finding one in good
GM>condition in 100 years time is likely to be able to extract any
GM>information from it.

Isn't that true of almost any medium OTHER than film.
Unfortunately\ unless film is stored and maintained in a
good atmosphere it will deteriorate also.

GM>OTOH, silver oxide images on a film or paper base have a well
GM>proven lifetime of over a century, and given reasonable care they
GM>look like lasting a lot longer.

IF reasonable care!!!

GM>Also the techniques for viewing them are unlikely to become "lost
GM>technology" 

Actually there is no perfect way of preservation using any
of the modern methods of generation. Maybe we ought to go
back to the old stone engravings.

Jay
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