Converting memories

Last week I helped a client convert  a bunch of old 8mm reels to a digital format. I took them to a post house in Hollywood called Visual Image and they did a fantastic job of converting the old format into digital files which they put right on my client's hard drive, as well as burning a DVD with all the files. Each 50-foot reel translates into about 3 minutes of video. The price was fair and the quality of the work was great.

What was so fun about this process is that after very little effort (driving to Hollywood twice to drop off and pick up the reels) my client had a simple way to view the memories captured on the film. She was delighted with the results, and she felt like she had accomplished something with a box of film that had been just sitting on a shelf for years.

Sometimes it's quite simple to take something causing you stress (however low level it might be) and turn into a source of pleasure and satisfaction.

Another reputable source for turning 8mm into DVDs is just8mm.com, though I haven't used them myself.

Creative Commons photo posted to Flickr by Bev Sykes

Lelah Baker-Rabe is a Los Angeles-based professional organizer. To discuss your organizing needs, call her at 818.269.6671 or email lelah@lelahwithanh.com

Tips and Tools: Media clutter

Do you have any media for which you no longer have the player? With media formats being tweaked and upgraded all the time, it's time to realize that your VHS tape collection is now totally out of date. If you don’t have a VHS player, please get rid of all your old tapes. You can donate them or unload them on Freecycle if you don’t feel comfortable just trashing them. eHow actually has some unique and useful ideas for recycling VHS tapes. Also, be sure to check your tapes for personal ones before getting rid of them. Family videos can be transferred to DVD at lots of local places and also by mail. I’ve used VHS to DVD and had a good experience, but I’ve heard good things about Costco’s service. Locally, ScanDigital has good word-of-mouth.

Don’t stop with VHS. Audio cassettes, laserdiscs, film and floppy disks are all becoming archaic, and if you don’t regularly use them, either get rid of them or safely store the ones you can’t bear to part with. By no means keep them in the prime real estate near your television, home theater or computer. Only keep current, watched media next to where you use it.

Creative Commons photo posted to Flickr by jm3

Lelah Baker-Rabe is a Los Angeles-based professional organizer. To discuss your organizing needs, call her at 818.269.6671 or email lelah@lelahwithanh.com