Video History Project

Preservation

NYMDI Videotape Restoration Program

Author
Tony Conrad
Publisher
New York Media Decentralization Institute
Place
Buffalo, New York
Subjects
Preservation Texts
ETC archive
ETC1084

https://archive.org/details/ETC1084

NYMDI VIDEOTAPE RESTORATION PROGRAM

As a service to the media field, the NY Media Decentralization Institute has initiated a twofold videotape restoration program. 1. Sponsorship of research concerning videotape restoration methods, with reprint distribution service. 2. Development and implementation of a practical procedure for the restoration of old 3/4" videocassettes which are no longer playable.

In 1987 Tony Conrad devised a simple videotape rejuvenation procedure which was used to recover several "lost" artists' videotapes made on reel-to-reel 1/2" tape in the 1970's. Alarmed that many open reel tapes may be falsely diagnosed as "dead," when a simple treatment could "bring them back to life," Conrad distributed an instructional circular to a listing of 1970's video makers. His notes were subsequently published by The Independent and were also mailed out to a group of dance-tape archivists. In 1989, Conrad's procedure will be included in a monumental guide to archival sources being prepared by Rick Prelinger in NYC. Since 3/4" tape began to prevail over 1/2" open reel in the mid-1970's, the problems with videotape aging will shortly be dominated by a need for simple and inexpensive 3/4" cassette rejuvenation. The difficulty in processing 3/4" tape is primarily one of access to the tape, which cannot be removed from the cassette housing except with great care, effort, and risk. The present program will develop a device to treat old 3/4" tapes inside their cassettes, as inexpensively as possible. The resulting unique service will be used to reliably process archival videotapes. Please write to be placed on our mailing list, for service information and research reprints. The New York Media Decentralization Institute is a not-for-profit research association whose purpose is to promote and encourage an understanding of the media arts and the media industry, as they interact with American society. Its activities include the study and production of media programs, the sponsorship of conferences, seminars, and research on media topics, and the publication of reports, newsletters, and other materials concerning media, to the public. The Institute is not an educational institution, and does not conduct educational courses nor grant degrees.

Tony Conrad, no date. After 1987.

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Tony Conrad. NYMDI Videotape Restoration Program. New York Media Decentralization Institute. .

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Summary

The New York Media Decentralization Institute initiated a twofold videotape restoration program comprising sponsorship of research with reprint distribution and development of a method to restore old 3/4" videocassettes. In 1987 Tony Conrad devised a rejuvenation procedure that recovered several 1/2" reel-to-reel artists' tapes; his notes were published by The Independent and in 1989 his procedure will be included in Rick Prelinger's archival guide in NYC. The Institute is a not-for-profit research association promoting understanding of the media arts and industry; it publishes reports and does not grant degrees.

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Last modified 13 September 2026

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