Why Customers Now Choose Raw MP4 Files Instead of DVDs After Tape Conversion
If you’re digitizing VHS, VHS-C, Hi8, MiniDV, or 8mm tapes, you’ll usually ask:
“What do I get back from you? A DVD?”
Today, 9 out of 10 of my customers choose raw MP4 files — and once you see the reasons, you probably will too.
1. DVDs Are Already Obsolete
Most new laptops and many desktop computers no longer have a DVD drive.
Smart TVs stopped including DVD players years ago.
In a few years, finding a working DVD player will be as hard as finding a working VCR today.
MP4 files play instantly on phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, Apple TV, Roku, Fire Stick — everywhere you actually watch videos in 2025 and beyond.
2. One DVD Holds Only 1–2 Hours (and Quality Suffers)
A single-layer DVD maxes out at about 2 hours in “Standard Play” — and the video is heavily compressed (often worse than YouTube quality) to fit. Longer tapes get split across multiple discs or compressed even more.
Raw MP4 files are saved at the full original quality of your tape (or better) with no length limits. A single 256 GB USB drive can hold 150+ hours.
3. DVDs Scratch, Skip, and Die
Even stored perfectly, DVDs typically last 15–30 years before they start skipping or become unreadable. Scratches, heat, and time all kill discs.
A properly backed-up MP4 file will still be perfect in 2125.
4. You Can’t Share a DVD with the Whole Family in 5 Minutes
Want to send Grandma the video of your wedding? You’d have to mail a disc.
With an MP4 file you can:
Upload to Google Drive/Dropbox/iCloud and share a link
Text or email a clip in seconds
Post a snippet to Instagram or Facebook
Play it at the family reunion from your phone to the TV in 10 seconds
5. Editing and Creating New Memories Is Impossible with DVDs
Dream of making a highlight reel for Dad’s 70th birthday? Good luck ripping and editing 12 DVDs.
With MP4 files you can easily:
Trim out boring parts
Stitch together the best moments
Add music, titles, and chapters
Make short social-media clips
Create beautiful tribute videos
6. Future-Proof Backups Are Simple
One USB + one cloud backup = your videos are safe forever.
If the USB is ever lost, you still have the cloud copy.
If your cloud account gets hacked or deleted, you still have the USB.
Try doing that with a stack of DVDs.
7. Cost Surprise (It’s Actually Cheaper Long-Term)
Many people think DVDs are “cheaper.” They’re not when you count:
Extra discs needed for long tapes
Shipping both ways
Replacing scratched/lost discs in 10 years
Buying a DVD player when yours dies
Most customers find that one USB + cloud delivery costs less than 4–6 DVDs and gives infinitely more flexibility.
Bottom Line
DVDs were a great bridge technology in the 2000s, but they are now the new “VHS.”
If you want your memories to be watchable, shareable, and safe for your kids and grandkids, choose raw MP4 files on USB (with cloud backup).
We still offer DVDs for the few customers who want them, but we always recommend MP4 first — because your grandchildren won’t own a DVD player, but they will own a phone.
Ready to future-proof your family movies?