Frequently asked questions
The questions we are asked most about transferring video tapes, cine film, photographs and audio to digital.
- What formats can you transfer?
- VHS, S-VHS, VHS-C, Video8, Hi8, Digital8, MiniDV, DV, DVCAM and HDV tapes; Standard 8mm, Super 8mm, 9.5mm and 16mm cine film; 35mm slides, negatives and prints; audio cassettes, reel-to-reel, DAT, MiniDisc and vinyl; plus broadcast formats such as Digital Betacam, Betacam SP, U-matic and 1-inch.
- How much does it cost?
- Video tapes start at £15 per tape, memory cards and audio tapes start at £20, and photo or slide scanning at 30p per scan - minimum £45. Cine film, wedding edits and professional formats are quoted per job. Larger mixed collections are almost always cheaper than the list price.
- Can you transfer cine film as well as video tapes?
- Yes. Super 8, Standard 8mm, 16mm and 9.5mm cine film are scanned frame by frame in HD or 2K. 8mm reels are priced per reel, 16mm and 9.5mm are quoted individually, and turnaround is around 10 working days with a FastTrack option. See our cine film to digital page.
- How do I get my tapes to you?
- We accept orders from anywhere in the UK. You can send your tapes to us using an insured, tracked postal service such as Royal Mail Special Delivery, or arrange to drop them off at our London W1 office. Full address details are provided once your booking has been confirmed. Tell us roughly what you have and we confirm the price and turnaround before any work starts.
- How do I get the footage back?
- As MP4 files by WeTransfer, on a USB stick, hard drive or DVD. Audio comes back as WAV or MP3 split into tracks, and photo scans as high-resolution JPEG or TIFF files. Your originals are always returned.
- How long does it take?
- Most domestic jobs are finished within one to two weeks. Small orders are often done in a few days, and urgent work can usually be prioritised if you tell us the deadline up front.
- Do you cover my area?
- All transfers are completed in-house in London, and we accept orders from anywhere in the UK. You can send your tapes to us using an insured, tracked postal service, or arrange to drop them off at our London W1 office. We can also accept orders from the Republic of Ireland and elsewhere in Europe - please contact us first so we can confirm postage and return arrangements. Nothing is outsourced, so your tapes stay in our care throughout the entire transfer process.
- Can you fix a damaged or mouldy tape?
- Yes. Snapped, chewed, jammed and mould-affected tapes are re-shelled and spliced by hand, then transferred straight to digital. Repairs start at £25 and if nothing can be recovered there is nothing to pay.
- Can you copy a shop-bought VHS tape?
- We can copy pre-recorded tapes to DVD or digital file for your own private use, which is what most people need for out-of-print titles. We cannot produce copies for resale or public showing.
- Is postage free?
- We charge you postage to return your tapes and DVD. Return postage within the UK is free on orders over £100. Please send your items to us using an insured, tracked service.