A Father's Day Video Lesson

I spent father's day helping my father-in-law transfer old home videos to DVD. He loves his camcorder, and loves to bring it out during family events, but he suffers from a problem that I suspect plagues many other amateur videographers.

Over the past year and a half, my father-in-law had recorded two tapes--only two! Neither was labeled, but each was full, with recordings from five or six different events. I suspect he'd recorded many other events on those tapes as well, and then had recorded over them.

When he suggested that he'd have to buy another tape for the upcoming birth of his first grandchild, I imagine he was thinking about fitting years of developmental milestones and celebrations onto that one tape. At that moment, I decided I would buy him a case of tapes, and maybe even pre-label each one of them: Baby's First Thanksgiving, Baby's First Birthday etc.

For all of you home video enthusiasts out there, I implore you, don't be stingy with your tapes!

Yes, each tape can fit 60 to 90 minutes of video, but there's no reason it should. Tapes are cheap (less than $5), but the memories they record are priceless. For the sake of organization and preservation follow these simple steps each time you bring out your video camera:

• Use a new tape
• Label that tape
• After taping, use the save tab that prevents you from recording over the tape

By doing these three basic things you ensure that your memories are saved, and you'll never again search in vain for lost footage.

• More tips for recording better home movies
• Fun family video projects