• Format: The wider the tape the better the success rate in saving the video content. VHS has the best rate of success due to its ½ inch tape width. The Digital 8, Hi8 and 8mm tape format has a lower success rate. The MiniDV format has very narrow tape and therefore, a relatively poor rate of successful restoration.
• Extent and Type of Damage: In many areas where water came in and receded in just a few hours, the damage is substantially less. The areas where the flood water submerged the videos for days may have irreversible damage. Flood water that had contaminants such as sewerage, mud and oil require extensive cleaning.
• Handling since initial Damage: The care of the tapes once they are recovered can make a difference in the success rate of restoration.

The majority of recovered videos are now dry. If your videos have completely dried, it is best to leave them as is. If your videos are still wet and have minimal contamination on them, rinse them in cool distilled water and store them on end to dry. If your videos have extensive contamination and are wet, rinse them as best you can and keep them in distilled water in a ziplock bag.