USB Memory Stick, DVD or Cloud Storage: Which Is Best for Your Family Memories?

Once your old videos, photographs or slides have been digitised, you'll need to decide how you would like them returned. The three most common options are a USB memory stick, a DVD or a cloud download. Each has its advantages, but they are not equally suited to long-term storage.

This guide explains how each option works and which is best for preserving your family memories. We always recommend having at least two copies of your digitised files, or creating additional backups yourself, so that your memories remain protected for years to come.

USB Memory Stick

For most people, a USB memory stick is the best all-round choice.

Modern TVs, computers and many media players can read USB drives directly, making them a convenient way to watch your videos or browse your photographs. USB sticks are available in a wide range of capacities, so in most cases, all of your digitised memories can be stored on a single device.

Each video is saved as a separate file: If you've asked us to convert ten VHS tapes, for example, you'll receive ten individual video files. This makes them easy to organise, rename and copy.

Easy to copy and back up: One of the biggest advantages of a USB stick is flexibility.

You can copy your files to your computer, an external hard drive or cloud storage, making multiple backups whenever you wish. You can also edit your videos, organise your photographs or share copies with family members.

Cloud Storage

Cloud storage has become one of the most convenient ways to receive and protect digitised memories. In fact, even if you choose a USB stick, we still recommend a cloud backup.

Immediate Access: As soon as your digitisation is complete and your order is ready, you'll receive a secure download link. There's no need to wait for the post. You can start viewing your memories almost immediately.

Easy to Share: Sharing videos with family has never been easier. Simply send the download link to relatives and friends, allowing everyone to enjoy the memories without copying discs or posting USB sticks.

Individual files: Each video and photograph is stored as a separate file, making it easy to download only what you need or everything at once.

Safe and secure: We use Dropbox Business to provide secure cloud storage.

Your files remain available for twelve months, giving you plenty of time to download them and create your own backups. If you lose your original download link, we can simply send you another.

Easy to Expand: If you ask us to digitise more tapes or photographs in the future, we can simply add them to the same cloud storage location, keeping everything together.

DVDs

Although DVDs remain an option, we no longer recommend relying on them as your only copy.

Familiar and easy to use: Some customers still prefer DVDs because they are familiar and can be played on many existing DVD players. They also make thoughtful gifts for relatives who prefer watching videos on a television.

An ageing technology: DVDs are gradually disappearing. Many modern computers no longer include DVD drives, and fewer households own DVD players than they once did.

Unlike USB drives or cloud storage, DVDs are also difficult to copy, share and back up.

As we explained in our article on Why DVDs Become Corrupted or Unplayable, discs can also become damaged over time, making them an unreliable choice as your only archive.

Limited storage capacity: DVDs hold relatively little data compared with modern storage devices. Large collections often require several discs, making them less convenient to store and organise.

Our Recommendation

If you are choosing just one option, we recommend a USB memory stick.

For the greatest peace of mind, however, we recommend combining a USB memory stick with cloud storage. This gives you both a physical copy and an online backup, reducing the risk of losing your precious memories.

Whatever format you choose, the most important thing is to have more than one copy. Digital memories are far easier to protect when they exist in multiple places.