cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/8681257

Here are two projects I've come across by accident that I thought were fascinating.

The first is the Domesday Duplicator. This rather expensive open source project rips the raw laserdisc data, ensuring the best possible way to archive the material. One small drawback, one side of laserdisc data will give you a 160GB file!

The system can also be used to get the raw data from VHS tapes as well. I was quite surprised, as long as the tape was properly made in the first place, how good VHS looks in its purest form. Obviously, depending on your connection to the TV, the quality would be degraded somewhat.