VHS was a ground-breaking technology for its time. However, in spite of how it invented the home video experience, its limitations made it impossible to carry it over to modern times. When it comes to comparing it with DVD and Blu-ray technologies, analysing its main features is important.
Image
The image quality of VHS was much poorer compared with DVD. DVDs usually have a 720 pixel wide frame and, even in the earlier days of the technology with composite video, it was better than the 250 horizontal pixels that VHS could barely manage.
Colour was also a big limitation in the image quality; VHS uses composite video to carry colour. This mixes together the two colour difference signals, which means that the colours interfere with the black and white (luminance) signal. DVD and Blu-ray hold the picture in component video format, and the luminance and the two colour difference elements are carried separately.
Durability
A big disadvantage of VHS cassette tapes was the fact that the more they were played, the weaker they became. Wear and tear was a big problem with VHS. The deterioration of the tape worsened the image quality, until it was was too damaged to be played.
Even though scratches are a real issue with DVDs, they last longer than VHS. Mishandling CDs, unlike with VHS, is what deteriorates the technology. DVDs have protective coating layers to protect the information inside and, unless you scratch it deeply on purpose, they are likely to last for many decades to come.
Ease of Use
DVD technology is easier to use and it allows you to view films faster. With VHS cassette tapes, if you wanted to skip scenes in a film you had to slowly wind it forward in order to be able to stop it where you wanted it to. Not to mention the pesky rewind feature at the end of every film!
With the invention of CDs, DVDs incorporate the option of film “chapters” that you can select to skip scenes. You’re not forced to go through the entire film, and you can also fit in more information. DVDs allow for hours and hours of extra content with interactive features, which lets you personalise your viewing experience.
Despite these big limitations, VHS is still important. Not only did it make it possible for you to watch your own videos instead of what TV channels chose to broadcast, it also opened the way for filming beautiful family memories that last a lifetime.
Whether it’s your graduation or a wedding video that’s trapped in a VHS cassette with no VHS player around, here at Video 2 DVD Transfers we will ensure that your favourite moments are transferred into DVD format so you can enjoy them. You can contact us on +44 (0)800 592 433 to speak with our team and to find out more about our services.