Local expertise beats shipping anxiety every time. Knowing those precious Hi8 tapes never left Colwood made all the difference. The quality exceeded my expectations.
VHS and Camcorder Tapes Digitizied in Victoria, BC
Your home movies are too precious to ship away in a box. I provide secure, archival-grade video transfer right here in my Colwood workshop.
If You Filmed It, I Can Play It
You don’t need to know the difference between Video8 and Hi8. That’s my job. I have the native decks to play the following formats:
VHS & VHS-C
Captured using High-End S-VHS decks with Time Base Correction (TBC) for stable playback.
Video8, Hi8, & Digital8
The entire Sony 8mm family, played back on original Handycam hardware.
MiniDV
The crisp digital format, captured via FireWire for a lossless transfer.
Betamax
The format that lost the war but won on quality.
PAL Tapes
European formats are welcome here.
Audio Tapes
Hear those voices once again! More info
The Signal is Fading
Every day, the magnetic signal in videotapes fades a little more. But the solution isn’t to pack them into a box and ship them to a high-volume factory.
I operate a private preservation workshop, not a processing plant. I use native equipment -meticulously maintained decks to ensure the clearest possible signal. Once the work is done, your physical tapes are returned to you, ready for safekeeping, while your new digital files live on forever.
The Meticulous Difference
Big-box stores will jam your tape into a machine without looking. If the tape is sticky or the ribbon is twisted, their machine will eat it.
I perform an inspection on every single cassette. I use tactile sensitivity to feel for damage, mold, or tension issues before the tape ever touches a VCR head. If a tape is at risk, it doesn’t go in the machine.
Empowering You with AI Restoration
Perhaps you are comfortable with technology and interested in trying the restoration process yourself. For this reason, I also offer an alternative. I can provide you with the same professional-grade, high-resolution scan of your photograph, giving you the perfect digital starting point. Then, I can guide you toward some of the powerful and user-friendly AI restoration tools available today. This option empowers you to be part of the transformation, with the peace of mind that comes from starting with a truly professional scan. For those interested in the technology, there are many resources that explain Suggested Outbound Link: how AI is revolutionizing photo repair.
Local, Hands-On Care
Your albums never leave my care or get shipped to a factory. They’re digitized locally in my Colwood workshop, handled by the same person from start to finish.
Flexible Options for Estates & Large Collections
The crisp digital format, captured via FireWire for a lossless transfer.
Asked often
Are videotapes time-sensitive?
Yes. Magnetic tape degrades over time, which is why many people choose to digitize sooner.
Can I watch the videos on a modern TV?
Yes. Your videos will play on modern TVs, phones, and computers.
Can you fix a broken videotape?
I don’t perform physical tape repairs. I can guide you to repair services if needed.
What if I don’t know what’s on the tapes?
That’s very common. I can help you identify and prioritize them.
What types of videotapes do you convert?
I convert common home video formats such as VHS, VHS-C, Hi8, and MiniDV.
More Questions Answered
Do you personally handle my items?
Yes. I personally handle every project from start to finish.
Why do you do this work?
I believe family memories deserve care and patience. Many of the items people bring me are irreplaceable.
Are my original items safe while they are with you?
I treat your memories with the same care I give my own. Items are kept organized in my home studio, digitized carefully, and returned to you as soon as the work is complete.
Do I need to understand computers to do this?
Not at all. I explain everything simply and can provide your memories in an easy-to-use format.
Do my items ever leave your home?
No. All work is done locally in my home studio in Colwood. Your items are never mailed away.
Is it okay if I don’t know what’s on these tapes or photos?
That’s very common. I can help you identify what you have and decide where to start.
What makes you different from a mail-away service?
You’re working with a real local person. Your items stay with me, and you can always speak to me directly.
Will my digital copies last forever?
Digital files are very safe when stored in more than one place. I can help you back them up so your memories are protected for generations.
Are my digital files kept private and secure?
Your files are handled privately and shared only with you. Any cloud links I provide are secure and not publicly searchable.
Can I get copies for multiple family members?
Yes. Digital files are easy to copy and share with children, grandchildren, or other loved ones.
What happens if something can’t be digitized?
If an item can’t be safely or successfully transferred, I’ll let you know before proceeding and explain why. Nothing is damaged or lost.
Can I do a small test first?
Yes. A small test is a great way to feel comfortable before doing a full collection.
Can I do this in stages?
Yes. Many people start with the most important items and continue over time.
Do I need to prepare or organize anything first?
No preparation is required. I’ll take care of organizing and labeling.
How does the process work?
You bring your items to me by appointment. I digitize them carefully and return everything to you.
How long does the process take?
Most projects take about a week. Larger collections may take longer.
What should I digitize first if I can’t do everything?
Home videos, audio recordings, and film reels are usually most time-sensitive. I can help you prioritize so the most precious memories are preserved first.
Do I need to label items or can you do that?
You don’t need to label anything unless you want to. I organize and number everything to match your digital files, making it easy to find each item.
Diane K.
Langford
Twelve little time capsules from the ’90s, each one a surprise waiting to be rediscovered. Every converted tape was like opening a present I’d forgotten about.
Michael T.
Esquimalt
Simple, fast, professional. Dropped off my collection, got a download link, spent the weekend reliving my children’s childhood.
Susan R.
Langford
The truest echo of the past isn’t a picture, but the sound of a voice, reaching forward through the years to tell its story.
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.
Your Videotapes 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.