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Audio / Video to Digital
You won't get too far jamming those tapes into a empty computer bay! Let us do the magic while you enjoy the memories.Whether you've got VHS, Hi8, MiniDV, Betamax and most everything in between, we can get it running on your HDTV. Your videos are provided on a flash drive in a universally compatible format for backup, sharing and editing. DVDs are available as an option, though as DVDs are slowly being phased out, long-term we recommend learning to use the MP4 files either on your computer or on your TV via a streaming device such as a Chromecast, Android TV or Roku. If there's TV or any other unwanted content, no problem - you'll only be charged a checking fee.
VHS | VHS-C | SVHS | 8 | Hi8 | Digital8 | Betamax | Betacam SP, Betacam SX, MPEG IMX, Digital Betacam | UMatic | Umatic SP | MicroMV | MiniDV | HDV | DVCam | DVCPro | MiniDVD
We can also transfer PAL tapes for most formats listed above.
For those who desire the highest quality files for editing, most transfers are also available as ProRes MOV files. Due to the significantly larger file sizes, you will need to either provide or purchase a larger hard drive or SSD rather than a smaller USB flash drive. In order to request ProRes output on our online order form, look for the checkbox titled "Display Advanced Options" and select "Yes" for uncompressed output. On the final checkout page, you may select "Add Custom Details" to add clarity to complex orders and make any other custom requests.
Fiddling with that clunky projector just isn't cutting it anymore? We can digitize your old Regular 8, Super8 and 16mm family movies once and for all for easy viewing and sharing. Files are available as digital files and playable DVDs.
Thanks to superior technology, your transfers will be much higher quality than had you taken the leap years ago to VHS. Our HD 1080P transfers will give you far better clarity and color, imaging the film itself. Many places today still use inferior equipment to actually record a projection rather than capture the full quality inherent in the film. We recommend doing it right the first time!
For even better quality, you might consider our wetgate option and additional post-production restoration for grain reduction, increased sharpness and dust and scratch removal.
1) Submit our order form online and enclose your email confirmation in your shipping box. Or swing by during walk-in hours.
2) Please arrange your videos in chronological order if possible.
3) Type and email title preferences to 
. Otherwise, we'll type up what's written on the labels if requested.
Videos will be too large to share in an email, so you would instead email a link to an online version. There are many paid sites for online storage and video streaming. However, one easy and FREE way to share your movies online is with YouTube. Just set video privacy to unlisted so it's not publicly searchable. To learn how to upload videos longer than 15 minutes, watch this short clip: https://youtu.be/dBf7miGxOe4
Consumer Videotape Formats
| VHS, VHS-C, Hi8, Digital8, MiniDV | $25/ea (1 - 9 tapes) |
| $18/hr footage (10+ tapes) |
MP4 Editable Files, ProRes MOV optional included with transfer. We will deliver your files either on a USB Thumbdrive or as a Google Drive download. All files will fit on a single thumbdrive. DVDs are available but will add $10 to the cost of each tape as only 2 hours can fit on a single DVDs. We usually don't combine tapes to single DVDs.
Most companies will only provide overly compressed files. ProRes MOV files are high bitrate (quality) files that have better colors and detail than a typical MP4. They work on Macs and with certain playback software such as VLC player. However, ProRes is 10x the size and not as widely compatible with devices and playback software. We create ProRes and MP4 files for all transfers and they can be provided at no additional cost other than a larger hard drive. Professionals routinely request ProRes for editing and it's great to have as the best version. MP4 files though are the most widely used for regular viewing and sharing. As a professional format, we are happy to provide ProRes files if desired but cannot support technical issues for those not familiar with the format.
Consumer Tapes Recorded in Foreign Countries
| PAL / SECAM recorded tapes | $25/hr |
Pro Formats
| MP4 Editable Files, ProRes MOV optional | $50/ea |
| BetaSP, Betacam, U-Matic, U-Matic SP, DVCam, DVCPro | $50/ea |
Motion Picture Reel Formats
| Accepted Motion Picture Formats | Regular8 | Super8 | 9.5mm | 16mm |
| Premium 1080P Full HD Transfer | $0.30/ft + $5/reel for extra splicing |
The small 3-inch (diameter) reels hold 50 feet of film. 5-inch reels hold 200 feet, and 7-inch reels hold 400 feet. If the reels are not full, you'll be charged for the actual length. Many reels will have footage markings on the outside to easily measure the length. The small reels are always billed at 50ft minimum, which comes out to a base cost of $20/ea for the small reels.
We have some extra options below as well to make your movies look even better for an added cost.
Motion Picture Add-Ons
| Wetgate Transfer Option | Add $0.15/ft |
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A wetgate transfer is a feature unique to our FilmFabriek scanner that passes the film through a fluid that physically fills the scratches during the transfer process so that scratches are either completely gone or drastically reduced. It is common for movies, especially older ones pre-1980s, to have annoying scratches from the old projectors. Sometimes it's just a thin line and other times it can be more distracting. Wetgate is the most effective way to remove them. No software editing will be nearly as effective as a wetgate transfer. |
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| Digital Restoration Option | Add $0.15/ft |
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This restoration option increases the sharpness of your film and applies some light dirt removal. It cannot remove scratches well like the wetgate option, which involves passing the film through fluid to physically fill and conceal scratches in the movie. |
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| Wetgate + Digital Restoration Bundle | Add $0.25/ft |
| Sound Films | Add $0.15/ft |
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Additional Information
- All charges are in one-hour increments. A 30-minute tape is billed for one hour of footage.
- All listed cassette tapes can be converted on-site.
We can transfer all your audio cassettes and reels for your continued personal enjoyment. Listen to your favorite hits or family history on your iPod, iPhone or PC. It'll be a blast!
Standard audio cassettes | Microcassettes | Reel to Reel Audiotape | Vinyl LPs
Just as with photo and video, we do our best to make the most of your originals. Wherever possible we use balanced audio connections and XLR cables to get the best signal from your audio recordings. We can adjust audio levels to ensure it's not too quiet or too loud (clipping), and also EQ your transfers to reduce noise and bring out voices.
1) Submit our order form online and enclose your email confirmation in your shipping box. Or swing by during walk-in hours.
2) Please arrange your tapes in chronological order if possible.
3) Type and email title preferences to . Otherwise, we'll type up what's written on the labels.
Whether you need a short clip from your video, need to refine some raw footage or split your audio into unique tracks we're happy to help. Once your media is in digital format, we'll just need to know the desired start/stop times for each clip. This can only be done after the initial transfer process and is not a replacement for transfer services. All editing services are charged at an hourly editing rate in addition to any conversion costs.
If you're like many customers, you may be thinking "Wouldn't it be nice to have a bite-size version rather than hours of raw footage?" We can accomplish this through our basic editing service if you provide precise start/stop times of the best moments. Alternatively, provide a few pictures of the family members you'd like to capture most and the desired video length. We'll scrub through your footage for you and produce a nice highlight reel that's sure to be the best gift ever!
1) Play your DVD or file in your favorite media player.
2) Write the start and stop times for each clip you'd like in your video. Put this information in the "additional information" section of the order form.
3) Provide the desired title to be printed on your final disc.
Costs: Custom editing is charged at an hourly rate. Ask for an estimate based on your specific job and provide a budget so we can keep you updated.
| Audio / Video Editing | ||
| Call for quote | ||