According to internet sources, the average shelf life of VHS tapes is anywhere from 10 to 20 years depending on the quality of the tape material itself, the amount of usage, and the tape's storage environment.  VHS tapes wear a little every time they're played, so the more they're played, the faster they wear out, not to mention the possibility of uneven rewinds, twists, and snaps.  Excessive heat stretches the tape during a play cycle, and excessive cold makes the  tape brittle.  Not only are the tapes a weak point, the tape player itself wears out after just a few years of average regular use.

     The shelf life of the Pressed discs are expected to be longer than anyone in recent history has lived.  This type of DVD has superior image and sound quality and has a shelf life of up to 300 years.

Some Discs Last Longer Than Others

     Among the DVD discs types, there is also a difference in the life span.  The erasable formats (DVD-RAM, DVD-RW and DVD+RW) are expected     to last from 25 to 100 years.  DVD-R and DVD+R discs are expected  to last anywhere from 40 to 250 years, about as long as CD-R discs.      Where as pressed discs (the kind used by movie makers) are expected    to last anywhere from 50 to 300 years.  No matter which type of DVD    Disc you're thinking of using, keep in mind that their shelf life is a lot longer than that of you typical VCR tape.

To see about transferring your VHS tapes to DVD,

call 254.442.4024 or e-mail radio@kcer.org.