Transfer videotape to Digital

videoTape Conversion

The most important thing to understand about videotape transfers is that nobody can tell how much actual recorded footage is on a videotape until it is played end to end. Some tapes may only have a few minutes of recordings, and some may be completely blank. Unfortunately, many companies that charge a flat fee per tape make no adjustment for this. So if you send in an order that has three or four blank tapes in it, you end up paying for this as if it is a full tape. The same goes for a tape with two or three minutes of actual footage. At Tyler Digital Memories, we charge based on the number of hours of actual recordings on your tapes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Also see FAQ page for more general questions about ordering.

Do I get my tapes back after they are transferred?

Yes, we will send back your tapes, and our transfer process will not damage them in any way.

What videotape formats can you transfer?

We can transfer VHS, VHS-C, Hi8/8mm video, Digital 8, and MiniDV

How many hours of video fit on a USB thumb drive or DVD?

We utilize 16Gb USBs that will hold up to 11 hours of video. Our DVDs will hold up to 2 hours.

Do you keep an archive of my videotape footage?

Yes, for USB transfers only, we keep an archive of your footage for 2 months. This is for your protection and convenience in case you want additional copies of your transfer at a later date, or in the very unlikely event that your return shipment is delayed or lost

Am I charged for blank tapes?

No, we don’t charge you for unused tapes.

What if my tape only has a few minutes recorded on it?

Because we charge by the hour of footage, very short tapes will simply be added into your cumulative total number of hours based on how long they actually run. You only pay for what we actually transfer.

How do I know how much footage is on each tape?

There is no way to know what is recorded on a videotape by simply looking at it. This is why we charge by the hour for videotape transfers and not by the tape, so you pay only for what we transfer.

How do I order?

For mail order customers outside our local area, our ordering process is fairly simple. First complete our order form and print it out, along with our shipping address. Next, secure and box your videotapes and enclose your printed order form... please don’t use an envelope or padded mailer. Tape all box seams then ship your order to us using the carrier of your choice. Once received and transferred we will email you an invoice for payment. We will complete your order and ship it back to you, usually within two weeks!

For local customers it’s even easier... just drop by our location in Tyler Monday through Friday 9am to 5:30pm and we will take care of everything.

What other media formats do you transfer?

We transfer photos, 8mm and Super 8 movie film, photographic slides, non-copyrighted audio cassettes and other media types. Feel free to browse our site for more information on transferring other media types.