Field Notes

The Memory Archive

Photo Scanning

Why Photographing Old Prints With Your Phone Isn't Scanning

A quick snap of a photo print feels like a shortcut. It isn't. Here's what a phone camera quietly throws away — and why a 3200 DPI scan is the only real rescue.

4 min read · 2026-09-05

How-To

How to Sort and Pack Your Tapes For Posting

You've decided to digitise. Now what? A simple, reassuring guide to sorting, labelling, and packing your tapes so they arrive safely

5 min read · 2026-09-04

Preservation Guides

How Long Do VHS Tapes Really Last? The Science of Magnetic Decay

VHS tapes don't last forever. We break down the chemistry of magnetic decay, the 10-25 year timeline, and the warning signs your footage is already degrading.

6 min read · 2026-07-15

Regional Stories

Preserving London's 80s Street Scenes: Why Your Home Videos Are Local History

That shaky footage of your high street in 1987 isn't just a family keepsake — it's a disappearing record of the city. Here's why digitising it matters to historians.

5 min read · 2026-07-10

Technical Guides

From Mini DV to MP4: A Complete Guide to Digital Tape Transfer

Mini DV was the first truly digital consumer video format — which means a perfect transfer is possible. Here's how the process works and why quality matters.

7 min read · 2026-07-05

Magnetic media

Why VHS tapes die — and how long you really have

Magnetic decay is silent and inevitable. Here's what's actually happening inside your tapes and how to buy time before digitising.

4 min · 2026-07-01

Wedding

The Wedding Archive: a frame-accurate love letter

How we turn a shoebox of wedding VHS, Mini DV and Super 8 reels into a 3–45 minute film couples can keep forever.

3 min · 2026-06-18