VHS to digital
Home movies on VHS, VHS-C, Betamax, Hi8, Video8 and MiniDV, turned into video files you can watch on a phone, share with family and keep. Every tape is played on a working deck and captured in real time in Lafayette. Drop tapes off in person or mail them in from anywhere.
- Formats
- VHS, VHS-C, Betamax, Hi8, Video8, MiniDV
- You get
- MP4 video files, one per tape
- Delivery
- Download link included. USB drive $10, custom DVD with case $15
- Turnaround
- 1 to 2 weeks
- Price
- $20 (was $30) per tape
Prices
Add your tapes to the cart, plus a USB drive or DVDs if you want them. Check out, then drop off or mail in your tapes.
| Option | Price | Order |
|---|---|---|
| VHS Digitization |
$20.00 per tape |
|
| USB drive with your files | $10.00 per order | |
| Custom DVD with case | $15.00 per DVD |
Files come by download link at no extra cost. Orders of 20 or more tapes: ask for a bulk quote.
What you get back
Video files
One MP4 file per tape that plays on phones, computers and smart TVs.
Named by tape
Files named after the labels on your tapes, so you can find the right birthday.
On a drive or a disc
A USB drive with every file, or a DVD of each tape in a printed case, if you want one.
Your tapes
Every original tape, returned in the condition it arrived.
Why convert now
Video tape is magnetic, and the magnetic layer weakens and sheds over the years. Most tapes made in the 1980s and 1990s are now thirty or more years old, and many already show dropouts, rolling or faded color when played.
Players are the other problem. VCRs and camcorders aren’t made any more, and the ones still working are getting harder to repair. Converting a tape today captures it while there’s still a good deck to play it on.
Drop off or mail it in
Order online first, then get your items to the studio one of two ways.
Drop off in Lafayette
Bring your items to the studio in Lafayette by appointment. You’ll get a time when you order, and a receipt listing everything you left.
Mail it in from anywhere
Pack items snugly in a sturdy box with padding on every side, and put a copy of your order number inside. Use a tracked service. Your originals come back by $5 flat-rate shipping, or free hand delivery in Lafayette and West Lafayette.
Packing tapes and cassettes
Stand tapes upright in their cases, wrap the stack in bubble wrap, and keep them away from speakers and magnets in transit.
Packing photos and slides
Keep photos flat between two pieces of cardboard. Don’t tape, clip or rubber-band them; leave slides in their boxes or sleeves.
Questions
How long do VHS tapes last?
There’s no fixed date, but tapes start to lose quality within a couple of decades, faster if they were stored somewhere hot, damp or near magnets. Even a tape that plays fine today is wearing out each time it’s played.
Should I get a USB drive or DVDs?
The USB drive holds every file from your order, ready for a computer. A DVD holds one tape, plays in a DVD player and comes in a printed case: good for gifts, and for relatives who don’t use a computer. The download link is always included.
What if a tape is moldy?
Look for white or gray fuzz on the tape inside the window. Tell the studio before you send it: moldy tapes need cleaning before they can be played safely, and you’ll hear what’s possible first.
What if a tape is broken or tangled?
Snapped or crinkled tape can often be spliced and played. You’ll hear what’s possible, and any cost, before any repair.
How much space will the files take?
Roughly 2 to 4 GB per hour of tape. A 64 GB drive holds about 15 to 25 hours of home movies.
How do I get my originals back?
By $5 flat-rate shipping, or free hand delivery in Lafayette and West Lafayette. Choose at checkout.
Are my home movies and photos kept private?
Yes. Your items are only handled by Elijah, files are never posted or shared, and copies are deleted from the studio 60 days after delivery.
Is there a discount for large orders?
Yes. For 20 or more items, ask for a bulk quote before you order.
How long does it take?
One to two weeks for most orders, longer around the holidays. If you need it by a date, say so when you order.
Get your tapes converted
Order online and drop off or mail in your tapes, or email with questions first. You’ll get a reply within 24 hours.