Your memories are too precious to ship away.

An archivist is someone who preserves history, and that’s exactly what I do with your family’s memories. My name is Dave Phillips, and I’ve been doing this for thousands of families in victoria since 1991. I work from my home. I call it my Colwood Workshop.

Meet Your Archivist

My personal promise to you

I’m Dave Phillips, and I call myself a Meticulous Archivist. An archivist is someone who preserves history, and that’s exactly what I do with your family’s memories. I work from my home. I call it my Colwood Workshop.

I’ve spent years in this workshop digitizing my parents’ 8mm films, videos and my sister’s albums. I know that a faded 4×6 isn’t just paper – it’s the only evidence of a Tuesday in 1964. At Meticulous, you aren’t hiring a “lab” or a “factory.” You are partnering with a neighbor who understands that these aren’t just files; they are your family’s artifacts. I handle every frame with the same obsessive care I used for my own.

VHS, Hi8, and MiniDV tapes degrade a little more every year. I play your tapes on high-end, maintained decks to get the clearest picture possible.

The flicker of 8mm or Super 8 is magic. I capture it frame-by-frame, so you can see your parents’ wedding motion without the “jitter” of old projectors.

I know how sticky album pages can be. I can scan the entire page to preserve the “scrapbook” context, or I can meticulously remove each photo for individual scanning.

I digitize entire photo albums with care — scanning pages as-is or safely removing photos to save you money. Sticky pages welcome.

Remember the specific click-clack sound of the slide projector? I use a ridiculously high resolution scanner that scans each slide 3 times to get the best exposure for your memories.

From mixtapes to the only recording of a grandparent’s voice, I treat audio with the same respect as video. I listen to the signal to ensure we capture the sound, not the hiss.

Negative scanning captures superior detail, color, and clarity that paper prints simply can’t match, preserving your history in its truest form.

I digitally repair rips, tears, color and clarity, ensuring your family’s history remains as vibrant as the day it was captured.

Got a stack of burnt CDs labeled “Backup 2002”? I have the drives to read them when modern laptops can’t.

I can help weave your photos into a video tribute for memorials and special events.

100 %

Secure & local

Photos Archived

Videos Archived

Items Shipped Away

Drop-Off in Colwood

Use my online form to book a private drop-off time. This ensures I can review your items with you personally when you arrive.

Get Started or learn more about How it Works.

Approve Estimate

Once I have your project, I don’t just “process” it. I inspect the condition of every tape and page. If I find something that needs special attention, I’ll call you.

Enjoy and Share

You’ll receive a secure download link (and a USB if requested). You can finally watch your memories on your phone, tablet, or TV. Once you’re thrilled with the results, you pay online.

My father thought Betamax was the way to go instead of VHS. He was wrong about that, but right about recording us as kids. Glad we found you to convert these, Dave. Thank you again!

Alan J.

Victoria

Dates like these on old videos are so handy today.
(Especially when there’s no label!)

Your Memories Are Too Precious to Mail

Shipping your family’s collection to a distant facility exposes them to loss, damage, and mishandling. That’s a gamble you should never take.

My process is simple: Local. Secure. Personal.

Your media never leaves my secure Colwood workshop.