Dust off those old VHS tapes: GRTV launches Media Preservation Suite to digitize outdated home media

GRTV, a Grand Rapids public access television station and program of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center (GRCMC), launched Monday its Media Preservation Suite, a new service that helps community members and organizations digitize outdated home media.

The Media Preservation Suite is geared toward community members and organizations interested in transferring their outmoded media – such as VHS tapes, cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs and 8 mm films – into digital formats.

“Media preservation is a service that is becoming increasingly important,” GRTV Production Manager Joe Zook said. “In the last decade, many libraries and institutions have phased out these types of services. … There’s a lot of potential local history and assets of importance that will otherwise die out and never be viewable again if not digitized now.”

To access the equipment, users must be GRCMC all-access members and complete a one-time certification training. This one-hour session, available by appointment, teaches members how to use the digitization tools, file naming conventions, and best practices for media preservation.

Once members complete the certification training, the Media Preservation Suite is reservable and accessible at no additional cost. 

Organizations can also hire GRCMC staff at the Media Preservation Suite for preservation services designed to meet their archival needs.

“Other digitization companies can be very expensive and require you to send your fragile home media through the mail,” GRCMC Executive Director Starla McDermott said. “By becoming a GRCMC member, you have unlimited access to digitize your own media or hire one of our certified staff members to help.”

The Media Preservation Suite is available at the GRTV studio, located at 711 Bridge St. NW, from noon to 8 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. To schedule a certification training, email [email protected].