We are losing the battle. Magnetic tape degrades. Even stored perfectly, VHS tapes lose magnetic flux after 20 to 30 years. The "VHS rip" is a race against entropy.
It is worth noting the linguistic shift in the term "Rip." Historically, "ripping" (e.g., DVD Rip) implied a lossless or near-lossless digital extraction of data. A "VHS Rip," however, is a misnomer technically, as it requires a real-time capture (analog-to-digital conversion) rather than a data extraction. vhs rip internet archive
So, why are VHS rips experiencing a resurgence in popularity? There are several reasons: We are losing the battle
Title your upload with the date and station (if applicable). This is what makes the content searchable and useful for future historians. The "VHS rip" is a race against entropy
Do you have a box of family tapes? A bootleg of a 1992 concert? A recording of the O.J. Simpson chase from a local affiliate? The Archive needs you. Buy a TBC. Download VirtualDub. Make the rip. The future of the past depends on it.