Frequently Asked Questions
NOTE ABOUT EMAIL: Emails from us occasionally go to Spam/Junk email folders, so please keep an eye on these folders if you have emailed us or sent an enquiry through our website.
GENERAL
Q. What are the options for getting my items to you? What do I do if I want to proceed?
Drop offs are by appointment or you can courier your items to us ('Signature Required' service only). We are located on Egmont St, Wellington CBD and service all of New Zealand. Please note that we don't have a walk-in shop front.
Drop off: Appointments are available during our contact hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10.00am–5.30pm at a meeting point on Egmont Street. Times/days may vary on occasion.
Courier: We are able to receive items sent via courier Mondays to Fridays.
At certain times when we have an increased level of work, we may need to delay receiving your media – just check with us first.
If you would like to proceed with digitising your media, please call, email us or complete the form on our Contact Us page and let us know if you would like to either drop off or courier us your items and we will send through the relevant details including times available if dropping off.
When we receive your media, for identification purposes we will write your name or put a label with your name on each item, check the condition, and count up the number of items you have. Before we start work we will send you through an email confirming the items in our possession including quantities, cost and completion date, and the link to our order confirmation form to be completed before we start work.
Drop off: Appointments are available during our contact hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10.00am–5.30pm at a meeting point on Egmont Street. Times/days may vary on occasion.
Courier: We are able to receive items sent via courier Mondays to Fridays.
At certain times when we have an increased level of work, we may need to delay receiving your media – just check with us first.
If you would like to proceed with digitising your media, please call, email us or complete the form on our Contact Us page and let us know if you would like to either drop off or courier us your items and we will send through the relevant details including times available if dropping off.
When we receive your media, for identification purposes we will write your name or put a label with your name on each item, check the condition, and count up the number of items you have. Before we start work we will send you through an email confirming the items in our possession including quantities, cost and completion date, and the link to our order confirmation form to be completed before we start work.
Q. How much will it cost to courier my items to you and have them sent back to me?
If you would like to send us your items, please use the NZ Post Rate Finder Tool for estimating the cost – please note we will require you to send us your items via Courier with Signature to ensure the safe arrival of your items.
For the return of your items (if you will not be collecting them in person) you will be able to opt for Economy, Courier, or Courier with Signature. The actual cost for sending your items back to you will be included on the invoice for digitising your media (we use NZ Post and don't charge any additional costs to the standard NZ Post pricing). You are welcome to include a pre-paid courier bag when you send us your items for digitising.
For the return of your items (if you will not be collecting them in person) you will be able to opt for Economy, Courier, or Courier with Signature. The actual cost for sending your items back to you will be included on the invoice for digitising your media (we use NZ Post and don't charge any additional costs to the standard NZ Post pricing). You are welcome to include a pre-paid courier bag when you send us your items for digitising.
Q. If collecting my items in person after job completion, when do I need to pick up my items by?
Items will need to be collected within 21 days of job completion. If you are unable to collect it within this timeframe, please contact us within 21 days of job completion to make other arrangements. We reserve the right to securely dispose of any media not picked up within this timeframe. Pick ups are by appointment during our contact hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10.00am–5.30pm at a meeting point on Egmont Street, Wellington CBD (same location as drop off) – times/days may vary on occasion. Please note we don’t have a walk-in shop front so we are not always available at short notice.
If you would prefer not to keep your original media however, we can securely dispose of it for you after your job has been completed. Ensure you keep copies of your digitised files in at least 2-3 different locations as a back up. Note - We are unable to securely dispose of hard copy photographs.
If you would prefer not to keep your original media however, we can securely dispose of it for you after your job has been completed. Ensure you keep copies of your digitised files in at least 2-3 different locations as a back up. Note - We are unable to securely dispose of hard copy photographs.
Q. How should I package my items if I want to send them to you by courier?
Please ensure you package your items in such a way that avoids your items being crushed in transit. We recommend using bubble wrap and cardboard.
Note about Compact Discs: If sending us your CDs for ripping, we would recommend (if feasible) removing the discs from their cases to keep courier costs down. The discs could be inserted into soft plastic CD sleeves or between sheets of paper before sending to us.
Note about Compact Discs: If sending us your CDs for ripping, we would recommend (if feasible) removing the discs from their cases to keep courier costs down. The discs could be inserted into soft plastic CD sleeves or between sheets of paper before sending to us.
Q. Do you have a price list for all your services?
Yes we do - please see our PRICING page for a full list of our services with costs.
Q. Do you have a minimum order value?
We have minimum order value of $80.00 for all of our services.
Q. How do you keep my original media safe while it is with you?
We take steps to ensure that your items are kept safe and secure whilst in our care including keeping your items in a locked cabinet. Our premises are in a secure building with fire protection and CCTV. We make all reasonable efforts to ensure that your items are returned to you in the same condition in which they were received.
We completely understand there can be some anxiety in handing over your media to us which is precious. Rest assured we take every step to ensure the care of your items while they are in our possession.
We completely understand there can be some anxiety in handing over your media to us which is precious. Rest assured we take every step to ensure the care of your items while they are in our possession.
Q. Why don't you provide DVDs?
The main reasons we don't convert video tapes and 8mm film to DVD are that discs are becoming obsolete and are prone to scratches and playback issues. We will convert your video tapes and 8mm film to MP4 file format which means that you can watch your digitised media on your mobile device, iPad, computer or smart TV*. See below under 'Video Tape & DVD Conversion Services' and '8mm Film Conversion Services' for ways to watch your digitised footage through your smart TV screen, and gifting your media.
We've continued however to offer vinyl and cassette tape conversion to CD largely due to the demand for listening to music in car or home/portable CD players.
*Note: some models of TV do not support MP4 playback so we recommend testing MP4 playback on your TV first.
We've continued however to offer vinyl and cassette tape conversion to CD largely due to the demand for listening to music in car or home/portable CD players.
*Note: some models of TV do not support MP4 playback so we recommend testing MP4 playback on your TV first.
Q. Do you offer printing services?
We don't offer printing services, however after scanning your photos, negatives or slides we can provide you with a USB with your files on it that you will be able to take to a printers.
Q. How does copyright apply to my media?
Under copyright law we are unable to digitise video tapes, DVDs or 8mm film marked with copyright; programmes/shows/items/movies recorded off TV; home-made compilation/mix (music) cassette tapes; items recorded off the radio; or any other items marked with copyright, unless you or your organisation owns the copyright.
In accepting our Terms of Service before we start work, you are confirming that you or your organisation owns the copyright for any items that are to be digitised, so please ensure that you own the copyright of any media you provide us with or that you have obtained the required permission of the copyright holder. We may ask to see written permission from the copyright holder. We cannot be held responsible for any breach of copyright caused by being provided with false information. We reserve the right to refuse items that we believe are in breach of copyright and will not digitise these items.
Please see here for more information on how copyright may apply to your media.
In accepting our Terms of Service before we start work, you are confirming that you or your organisation owns the copyright for any items that are to be digitised, so please ensure that you own the copyright of any media you provide us with or that you have obtained the required permission of the copyright holder. We may ask to see written permission from the copyright holder. We cannot be held responsible for any breach of copyright caused by being provided with false information. We reserve the right to refuse items that we believe are in breach of copyright and will not digitise these items.
Please see here for more information on how copyright may apply to your media.
Q. What is the best way to receive my files from you after you have digitised my media - via the Cloud or USB?
Please information below to help you decide how to receive your files from us.
NOTE: Any issues related to downloading files (e.g. internet connectivity or opening zipped files) are the customer's responsibility.
ONLINE ('CLOUD') LINK DOWNLOAD:
All* of our digitising and file transfer services include providing you with a secure online 'Cloud' link to your files via OneDrive with instructions for downloading to your computer. Most customers find the Cloud to be a convenient way to get their files from us. Note - there is no reduction in quality to your files being downloaded from the Cloud compared to transferring your files to USB/hard drive. You will NOT need to create a OneDrive account to download your files. If you have your own OneDrive account, you will need to log into your OneDrive to download your files and then upload the files to your OneDrive account if this is where you will be storing them. As part of our standard service will provide you with a link to your files as well as on USB/customer-supplied hard drive if USB/customer-supplied hard drive is requested. If however you do not wish to receive an online Cloud link to your files, you can opt out of receiving this on the order confirmation form that we will send you to complete prior to undertaking your job.
Only you and we will be able to see your files in the link we send you, as well as anyone else you choose to send the link to – great for sending to friends and family in different parts of the country or overseas so they can download the files too.
Your files must be downloaded within 28 days as we will delete them from the link after this time. We do not offer long-term storage for your files. To download your files from our OneDrive Cloud server you will need a high-speed Internet connection (and preferably be on an 'Unlimited Data' plan) as file sizes can be large, especially for video files. The maximum recommended combined file size to download at a time from OneDrive is 10 GB. If your combined file sizes come to greater than this, we will upload your files into separate subfolders to be downloaded one folder at a time.
After downloading your files to your computer you will be able to move or copy your files to another location on your computer, a hard drive or USB flash drive, or upload the files to your own Cloud (online file storage) account or a video sharing website.
If you do not feel comfortable downloading from an online link, or have a large number of videos tapes/DVDs, 8mm film or CDs to be digitised and have encountered problems in the past with unzipping files on your device, or if you experience internet connection issues we recommend that we supply you with your files on a USB or customer-supplied hard drive instead (see details below).
*Due to copyright if we are converting commercially-released Vinyl, CD & Audio Cassettes we can only provide you with your digitised files on either the Cloud or on one USB/hard drive (in addition to one CD if required for vinyl or cassettes). Under copyright law in New Zealand, it is legal to have a copy of commercially-released music/recordings in a different format (e.g. CD, MP3) for each device you own for your own personal use.
TRANSFER TO STORAGE MEDIA (USB):
If you do not feel comfortable downloading from an online link, or have a large number of videos tapes/DVDs, 8mm film or CDs to be digitised and have encountered problems in the past with unzipping files on your device, or if you experience internet connection issues we recommend that we supply you with your files on a USB or you can provide us with a hard drive. If you would like to supply your own USB or hard drive, all files must be removed first to remove any risk of viruses or malware contaminating your or our files. If we are provided with a USB or hard drive on it with files on it, we will need to delete all files before we can use it.
Cost of USBs are between $15.00 and $35.00; USB size needed will depend on final file sizes and we will provide the USB size required to fit all your files. In most cases your files will all fit onto one USB. If you would like duplicate copies of your files on more than two USBs or hard drives, there is an additional charge of $5.00 per transfer (first two transfers are included).
NOTE: Any issues related to downloading files (e.g. internet connectivity or opening zipped files) are the customer's responsibility.
ONLINE ('CLOUD') LINK DOWNLOAD:
All* of our digitising and file transfer services include providing you with a secure online 'Cloud' link to your files via OneDrive with instructions for downloading to your computer. Most customers find the Cloud to be a convenient way to get their files from us. Note - there is no reduction in quality to your files being downloaded from the Cloud compared to transferring your files to USB/hard drive. You will NOT need to create a OneDrive account to download your files. If you have your own OneDrive account, you will need to log into your OneDrive to download your files and then upload the files to your OneDrive account if this is where you will be storing them. As part of our standard service will provide you with a link to your files as well as on USB/customer-supplied hard drive if USB/customer-supplied hard drive is requested. If however you do not wish to receive an online Cloud link to your files, you can opt out of receiving this on the order confirmation form that we will send you to complete prior to undertaking your job.
Only you and we will be able to see your files in the link we send you, as well as anyone else you choose to send the link to – great for sending to friends and family in different parts of the country or overseas so they can download the files too.
Your files must be downloaded within 28 days as we will delete them from the link after this time. We do not offer long-term storage for your files. To download your files from our OneDrive Cloud server you will need a high-speed Internet connection (and preferably be on an 'Unlimited Data' plan) as file sizes can be large, especially for video files. The maximum recommended combined file size to download at a time from OneDrive is 10 GB. If your combined file sizes come to greater than this, we will upload your files into separate subfolders to be downloaded one folder at a time.
After downloading your files to your computer you will be able to move or copy your files to another location on your computer, a hard drive or USB flash drive, or upload the files to your own Cloud (online file storage) account or a video sharing website.
If you do not feel comfortable downloading from an online link, or have a large number of videos tapes/DVDs, 8mm film or CDs to be digitised and have encountered problems in the past with unzipping files on your device, or if you experience internet connection issues we recommend that we supply you with your files on a USB or customer-supplied hard drive instead (see details below).
*Due to copyright if we are converting commercially-released Vinyl, CD & Audio Cassettes we can only provide you with your digitised files on either the Cloud or on one USB/hard drive (in addition to one CD if required for vinyl or cassettes). Under copyright law in New Zealand, it is legal to have a copy of commercially-released music/recordings in a different format (e.g. CD, MP3) for each device you own for your own personal use.
TRANSFER TO STORAGE MEDIA (USB):
If you do not feel comfortable downloading from an online link, or have a large number of videos tapes/DVDs, 8mm film or CDs to be digitised and have encountered problems in the past with unzipping files on your device, or if you experience internet connection issues we recommend that we supply you with your files on a USB or you can provide us with a hard drive. If you would like to supply your own USB or hard drive, all files must be removed first to remove any risk of viruses or malware contaminating your or our files. If we are provided with a USB or hard drive on it with files on it, we will need to delete all files before we can use it.
Cost of USBs are between $15.00 and $35.00; USB size needed will depend on final file sizes and we will provide the USB size required to fit all your files. In most cases your files will all fit onto one USB. If you would like duplicate copies of your files on more than two USBs or hard drives, there is an additional charge of $5.00 per transfer (first two transfers are included).
Q. Can I provide you with my own USB? What size USB will I need?
Yes, you can provide us with your own USB - please ensure there are no files on it first. USB size needed will depend on the number of items you have for digitising. The following file sizes are approximate as file sizes vary:
MP4 Video Files:
3 hour video tape: 2.5 GB
3 hour video tape with 'tidy up' editing: 6 GB
1 hour digital video tape ('Mini DV' or 'Digital 8'): 3 GB
3 inch 8mm film reel: 500 MB
5 inch 8mm film reel: 3GB
7 inch 8mm film reel: 4 GB
MP3 Audio Files:
Audio Cassette Tape: 400 MB
12" Vinyl: 200-500 MB
Music Compact Disc: 200-500 MB
JPEG Image Files:
100 scanned photos/slides/negatives: 500 MB
In most cases your files will all fit onto one USB.
You are welcome to bring us additional USBs to transfer duplicate copies of your files to. Please note there is an additional charge of $5.00 per transfer for 3 or more USBs (first two transfers are included).
MP4 Video Files:
3 hour video tape: 2.5 GB
3 hour video tape with 'tidy up' editing: 6 GB
1 hour digital video tape ('Mini DV' or 'Digital 8'): 3 GB
3 inch 8mm film reel: 500 MB
5 inch 8mm film reel: 3GB
7 inch 8mm film reel: 4 GB
MP3 Audio Files:
Audio Cassette Tape: 400 MB
12" Vinyl: 200-500 MB
Music Compact Disc: 200-500 MB
JPEG Image Files:
100 scanned photos/slides/negatives: 500 MB
In most cases your files will all fit onto one USB.
You are welcome to bring us additional USBs to transfer duplicate copies of your files to. Please note there is an additional charge of $5.00 per transfer for 3 or more USBs (first two transfers are included).
Q. Can you name my files for me?
Yes, we will do this. In the case of Video Tapes, DVDs, 8mm Film, Vinyl and Cassette Tape recordings we will name your files with whatever we can see is handwritten or printed on your original media. In the case of CD ripping, album details are automatically added as part of the conversion process. In the case of Photographic media, we will batch name your jpeg files according to what is handwritten or printed on the album/box/sleeve your original media is in.
Q. How long will it take to do the work?
Timeframes may vary depending on what type of media you have and number of items, who’s ahead of you in the queue, and time of year (e.g. Christmas). Our services are time consuming but we run multiple systems so we can undertake various jobs simultaneously.
Turn around time for our conversion services is generally between one and five weeks. Before we start work on your job we will confirm completion date and if the timeframe for your job will differ to these timeframes. Please let us know if you have special event or occasion you need your media for, and we will do our utmost to accommodate you.
Turn around time for our conversion services is generally between one and five weeks. Before we start work on your job we will confirm completion date and if the timeframe for your job will differ to these timeframes. Please let us know if you have special event or occasion you need your media for, and we will do our utmost to accommodate you.
Q. What types of payment do you accept? When is payment required?
We accept payment via bank transfer/deposit only. We regret we are unable to accept cash. Please note we do not have eft-pos, debit card or credit card payment facilities.
Once we have completed the work we will email through a sample of your digitised media (this is just to give you an idea what to expect in terms of condition/quality rather than content) along with an invoice for payment. Full payment will be due within 7 days of invoice by bank transfer/deposit.
Once payment into our account has cleared we will email you through an online link to your files (unless opting not to receive your files this way), and we will either send your items back to you, or contact you to arrange a time to collect your original media and any storage media we are providing your files on.
Once we have completed the work we will email through a sample of your digitised media (this is just to give you an idea what to expect in terms of condition/quality rather than content) along with an invoice for payment. Full payment will be due within 7 days of invoice by bank transfer/deposit.
Once payment into our account has cleared we will email you through an online link to your files (unless opting not to receive your files this way), and we will either send your items back to you, or contact you to arrange a time to collect your original media and any storage media we are providing your files on.
Q. What steps do you take to ensure my digitised files are secure and virus free?
We take steps to ensure that your digitised files are free from viruses. All our computer systems are regularly updated with anti virus software and we won't move your files to any computer or device that is not part of our system. As a further safety measure, we are only able to accept USBs and hard drives with no files on them to remove any risk of viruses or malware contaminating your files. If we are provided with a USB or hard drive on it with files on it, we will need to delete any files before we can use it.
Our Cloud server is hosted by Microsoft OneDrive. We take the tightest security measures that OneDrive offers and in addition, we back up all of your uploaded files to our local system. We don't store any other files or documents on our Cloud server - it is dedicated solely to our customers' files. Your folder containing your files is secure and is only visible to you once you have clicked on the link we send you via email.
Our Cloud server is hosted by Microsoft OneDrive. We take the tightest security measures that OneDrive offers and in addition, we back up all of your uploaded files to our local system. We don't store any other files or documents on our Cloud server - it is dedicated solely to our customers' files. Your folder containing your files is secure and is only visible to you once you have clicked on the link we send you via email.
Q. How do you protect my privacy?
We respect the privacy of our customers. Your materials will not be used for any purpose other than the digitising of your media. We do not monitor your media during the transfer process other than for the purpose of quality checking your transfer. We will not use or distribute your media to any third parties. In other words, your files are safe with us!
For further information on how we protect your privacy, please see our Terms of Service.
For further information on how we protect your privacy, please see our Terms of Service.
Q. How long do you keep my files for?
We will keep your media on a secure Cloud link for you to access for 28 days after completing your job and we will then delete your files from the Cloud link. We will keep copies of your files on our server for 6 months before we delete them.
Q. Where should I store my digitised media files?
IMPORTANT: We recommend keeping each digitised file in at least two different locations, for example on a hard drive and a Cloud (online file storage) location like OneDrive or Google Drive. For videos, if you don't have a Cloud account, YouTube is a good alternative as it allows you to set your videos to 'Private' or 'Unlisted' meaning only people you share the links with can view them.
Note about USB Flash Drives: While USBs are great for portability and gifting to people, we don’t recommend using them for long term storage of files in case they are misplaced. If we provide your files to you on USB, we recommend copying your files off them immediately to at least 2 to 3 different locations (as above) for back up.
Note about USB Flash Drives: While USBs are great for portability and gifting to people, we don’t recommend using them for long term storage of files in case they are misplaced. If we provide your files to you on USB, we recommend copying your files off them immediately to at least 2 to 3 different locations (as above) for back up.
Q. What should I do with my original media after it has been digitised?
We recommend keeping your original media. If the digital formats we currently convert to are superseded in the future, or should your digital copies ever be accidentally deleted, lost or damaged (can happen!), having possession of the originals is a back up. Keep your media in a dry area away from direct sunlight or very strong lights, and keep your video tapes stored away from speakers or other magnetic forces. Check on your media every few months to ensure dampness hasn't affected it. For 8mm film, ensure you keep it in a dry, cool place and open the tins or containers they are in regularly to air the film to help avoid a form of decay called 'vinegar syndrome'.
We recommend keeping your media in a raised location in sealed waterproof bags especially if they are being stored in an area susceptible to flooding.
If you would prefer not to keep your original media however, we can securely dispose of it for you after your job has been completed. Ensure you keep copies of your digitised files in at least 2-3 different locations as a back up (see question above). Note - We are unable to securely dispose of hard copy photographs.
We recommend keeping your media in a raised location in sealed waterproof bags especially if they are being stored in an area susceptible to flooding.
If you would prefer not to keep your original media however, we can securely dispose of it for you after your job has been completed. Ensure you keep copies of your digitised files in at least 2-3 different locations as a back up (see question above). Note - We are unable to securely dispose of hard copy photographs.
VIDEO TAPE & DVD CONVERSION SERVICES
Please see our PRICING page for costs. If you can't find the answer to your question below, please check above under 'GENERAL', or CONTACT US.
Q. Why should I get my video tapes & DVDs digitised?
Video tapes degrade over time and DVDs are prone to scratches causing image, sound and playback issues. Mould is also a very common problem that can damage your tapes. Old video tape formats are no longer watchable unless you still have the original player or camcorder. Digitising your video tapes and DVDs means that you can watch the footage on your mobile device, iPad, computer or through your TV screen. It also means you can share your videos online with family and friends, and rest easy knowing that future generations can enjoy your treasured memories too.
Q. Why don't you convert video tapes to DVD?
The main reasons we don't convert to DVD are that discs are becoming obsolete and are prone to scratches and playback issues. We will convert your tapes and DVDs to MP4 file format which means that you can watch your digitised media on your mobile device, iPad, computer or TV. See below for ways to watch your digitised footage through your TV screen*, and gifting your media.
*Note: some models of TV do not support MP4 playback so we recommend testing MP4 playback on your TV first.
*Note: some models of TV do not support MP4 playback so we recommend testing MP4 playback on your TV first.
Q. If I still have the original camcorder tapes or 8mm films (round reels), should I provide you with these instead of VHS tape or DVD copies?
Yes, we recommend you supply us with the original camcorder tapes or 8mm films (round reels) if you still have them as the better quality version of your footage is invariably going to be from the original source. In the case of DVDs we will clean your discs prior to conversion, however as discs are vulnerable to damage including scratches, occasionally media is unable to be retrieved from the discs, so having the original source is preferable in case this happens.
Q. Are there any additional costs in digitising my media that I should be aware of?
Additional costs that may apply to your Video Tapes/DVDs are detailed below. Any relevant additional costs that we determine while undertaking your job will be added to final invoice (you can opt to be notified of any additional costs before job completion).
TAPE REPAIRS – Any type of tape that has snapped before we receive them or that snaps during playback is $30.00 per tape to splice (with exception of 8mm or Mini DV tapes with mould (see below). If your tape will not play in any of our equipment, this often means that new casing is required. We will need to transfer it to a replacement cassette; cost per tape is $40.00. If a different type of tape repair is required, we will contact you separately to confirm if we can repair your tape and to provide a quote.
CLEANING VHS, VHS-C & BETAMAX TAPES WITH MOULD – There is a $20.00 per tape cleaning charge for these types of tapes with mould.
8MM & MINI DV TAPES WITH MOULD – As 8mm and Mini DV tapes are fragile, if they have mould they need to be treated differently to other tape types as they are prone to snapping if not treated first. We will need to open up the tape casing and manually wind the tape to gently unstick it from itself – manually winding the tape places less tension on the tape compared to playing/fast forwarding/rewinding in a machine which will continue to snap the tape. The cost per tape for this process is $35.00 - $75.00. Note: Tape can still be prone to snapping during this process, but is less likely to occur. If it does snap during this process, splices will be factored into the above price band. Final cost varies within the above price band depending on the current starting position of the tape and number of splices required as the tape is wound.
TAPES/DVDs WITH MORE THAN 3h05m FOOTAGE – This usually just applies to VHS tapes/DVDs. Conversion prices on our website are for tapes/DVDs with up to 3h05m of footage on them. If you have more footage than this on any of your tapes/DVDs, conversion prices are normally twice the standard price per tape/DVD but we can be flexible on pricing depending on how much footage you have in total.
HOME VIDEO FOOTAGE SEARCH – We can search through any particular tapes to locate home video footage (usually just applies to VHS tapes). Cost will be an additional $10.00 - $20.00 per tape for time spent searching (tapes will need to be marked/pointed out separately for us if you have any in this category, otherwise we will undertake a search if we determine it is needed).
REMOVING COPYRIGHTED FOOTAGE – We may occasionally end up needing to digitise copyrighted footage in order to locate your personal footage. If any video tape/DVD footage contains copyrighted material (e.g. items /shows off TV), we will need to search through & edit it out before providing you with a copy. There will be no cost for removing copyrighted footage that is at the start or at the end of your tapes. However if copyrighted footage is interspersed throughout your footage, cost to remove it will be an additional $10.00 - $20.00 per video tape/DVD/8mm film reel (cost dependent on extent of editing required).
DUPLICATED FOOTAGE – We usually only come across duplicated footage on VHS tapes or DVDs copied from camcorder tapes or 8mm film (round reels). If you have a combination of tape types/DVDs/films to be converted we will convert any non-duplicated VHS tapes and DVDs after digitising all your camcorder tapes/8mm films. This is to ensure we provide you with footage from the original version, as invariably the camcorder tape/8mm film footage will be the better quality version. Please note the following re. duplicated footage:
Note 1 - We will stop the conversion in the first couple of minutes if we recognise footage we have already digitised for you and if we suspect the tape/DVD is a straight copy of another tape/DVD (no additional charge).
Note 2 - If we digitise duplicated footage that is further into your tapes/DVDs that we were not able to pick up on during conversion, cost will be at the full price for a tape/DVD conversion.
Note 3 - If you need us to check right through any particular tapes/DVDs for duplicated footage before converting, or if we determine we need to do so during the conversion process, we charge $10.00 - $20.00 per tape/DVD for time spent checking through and extracting any non-duplicated footage (tapes/DVDs will need to be marked separately for us if you have any in this category, otherwise we will undertake a search if we determine it is needed).
TAPE REPAIRS – Any type of tape that has snapped before we receive them or that snaps during playback is $30.00 per tape to splice (with exception of 8mm or Mini DV tapes with mould (see below). If your tape will not play in any of our equipment, this often means that new casing is required. We will need to transfer it to a replacement cassette; cost per tape is $40.00. If a different type of tape repair is required, we will contact you separately to confirm if we can repair your tape and to provide a quote.
CLEANING VHS, VHS-C & BETAMAX TAPES WITH MOULD – There is a $20.00 per tape cleaning charge for these types of tapes with mould.
8MM & MINI DV TAPES WITH MOULD – As 8mm and Mini DV tapes are fragile, if they have mould they need to be treated differently to other tape types as they are prone to snapping if not treated first. We will need to open up the tape casing and manually wind the tape to gently unstick it from itself – manually winding the tape places less tension on the tape compared to playing/fast forwarding/rewinding in a machine which will continue to snap the tape. The cost per tape for this process is $35.00 - $75.00. Note: Tape can still be prone to snapping during this process, but is less likely to occur. If it does snap during this process, splices will be factored into the above price band. Final cost varies within the above price band depending on the current starting position of the tape and number of splices required as the tape is wound.
TAPES/DVDs WITH MORE THAN 3h05m FOOTAGE – This usually just applies to VHS tapes/DVDs. Conversion prices on our website are for tapes/DVDs with up to 3h05m of footage on them. If you have more footage than this on any of your tapes/DVDs, conversion prices are normally twice the standard price per tape/DVD but we can be flexible on pricing depending on how much footage you have in total.
HOME VIDEO FOOTAGE SEARCH – We can search through any particular tapes to locate home video footage (usually just applies to VHS tapes). Cost will be an additional $10.00 - $20.00 per tape for time spent searching (tapes will need to be marked/pointed out separately for us if you have any in this category, otherwise we will undertake a search if we determine it is needed).
REMOVING COPYRIGHTED FOOTAGE – We may occasionally end up needing to digitise copyrighted footage in order to locate your personal footage. If any video tape/DVD footage contains copyrighted material (e.g. items /shows off TV), we will need to search through & edit it out before providing you with a copy. There will be no cost for removing copyrighted footage that is at the start or at the end of your tapes. However if copyrighted footage is interspersed throughout your footage, cost to remove it will be an additional $10.00 - $20.00 per video tape/DVD/8mm film reel (cost dependent on extent of editing required).
DUPLICATED FOOTAGE – We usually only come across duplicated footage on VHS tapes or DVDs copied from camcorder tapes or 8mm film (round reels). If you have a combination of tape types/DVDs/films to be converted we will convert any non-duplicated VHS tapes and DVDs after digitising all your camcorder tapes/8mm films. This is to ensure we provide you with footage from the original version, as invariably the camcorder tape/8mm film footage will be the better quality version. Please note the following re. duplicated footage:
Note 1 - We will stop the conversion in the first couple of minutes if we recognise footage we have already digitised for you and if we suspect the tape/DVD is a straight copy of another tape/DVD (no additional charge).
Note 2 - If we digitise duplicated footage that is further into your tapes/DVDs that we were not able to pick up on during conversion, cost will be at the full price for a tape/DVD conversion.
Note 3 - If you need us to check right through any particular tapes/DVDs for duplicated footage before converting, or if we determine we need to do so during the conversion process, we charge $10.00 - $20.00 per tape/DVD for time spent checking through and extracting any non-duplicated footage (tapes/DVDs will need to be marked separately for us if you have any in this category, otherwise we will undertake a search if we determine it is needed).
Q. I don't know what's on my video tapes or DVDs – can I use your equipment to check what is on my tapes?
Unfortunately we are unable to offer the use of our equipment to check the contents of tapes/DVDs prior to digitising them.
If we will be digitising your tapes/DVDs for you, we can search through any particular tapes/DVDs before digitising to locate home video footage and advise what is on them. Cost will be $10.00 - $20.00 per tape for time spent searching (tapes will need to be marked separately for us if you have any in this category).
Alternatively you may be able to pick up a VHS player on TradeMe.
If we will be digitising your tapes/DVDs for you, we can search through any particular tapes/DVDs before digitising to locate home video footage and advise what is on them. Cost will be $10.00 - $20.00 per tape for time spent searching (tapes will need to be marked separately for us if you have any in this category).
Alternatively you may be able to pick up a VHS player on TradeMe.
Q. What video tape and DVD formats can you digitise?
We can convert VHS (PAL + NTSC), Betamax (PAL + NTSC), VHS-C, S-VHS, S-VHS-C, Hi 8, Video 8, Mini DV (PAL + NTSC), and Digital 8.
We are also able to convert Video DVD and MiniDVD.
Please see note below under 'Q. What if my tapes contain footage duplicated on other tapes/films I give you?' about supplying us with the original camcorder tapes or 8mm films (round reels) instead of your VHS tapes/DVDs, if you still have these.
Note: All tapes/DVDs are played from start to end during conversion to ensure all footage is captured (unless otherwise requested).
We are also able to convert Video DVD and MiniDVD.
Please see note below under 'Q. What if my tapes contain footage duplicated on other tapes/films I give you?' about supplying us with the original camcorder tapes or 8mm films (round reels) instead of your VHS tapes/DVDs, if you still have these.
Note: All tapes/DVDs are played from start to end during conversion to ensure all footage is captured (unless otherwise requested).
Q. What file format do you convert video tapes and DVDs to? How big will my files be?
Your video tapes and DVDs will be converted to MP4 file format, which is widely supported by most digital platforms and playback devices. You will be able to share and edit your videos if you wish.
We will convert each tape/DVD to one MP4 file - so if you have 8 tapes/DVDs, there will be 8 files. We will name your files according to what we can see is written or printed on each item. You will be able to re-name any files if you wish.
File sizes vary depending on the length of your footage, but generally you can expect each file to be anywhere between a few MB and 6GB.
We will convert each tape/DVD to one MP4 file - so if you have 8 tapes/DVDs, there will be 8 files. We will name your files according to what we can see is written or printed on each item. You will be able to re-name any files if you wish.
File sizes vary depending on the length of your footage, but generally you can expect each file to be anywhere between a few MB and 6GB.
Q. What if my tapes have mould or are broken? Is there any risk in digitising my tapes?
We will clean tapes with signs of mould prior to conversion - there is no cost for cleaning tapes with light mould. For tapes with moderate to extensive mould, cost to clean is $20.00 per tape.
After conversion, occasionally there may be some picture/audio disruption due to damage to the tape surface from mould. There is a chance that tapes can be damaged during playback due to the often fragile nature of tapes. Mould can weaken the structure of tape over time meaning it is sometimes prone to snapping during playback. Note: as mould can be pervasive there may not always be visible signs of mould or degradation of any type on your tapes.
If your tape has snapped or snaps during playback we can splice it back together and re-attempt conversion. Splice repairs are $20.00 per tape. If your tape requires new casing replacement casing is $40.00. If a different type of tape repair is required, we will contact you separately to confirm if we can repair your tape and to provide a quote.
While the utmost care is applied to your tapes, Get Set2Digitise is not liable for tapes damaged during the conversion process. Our conversion equipment is regularly maintained and cleaned to minimise the risk to your tapes. In the event your tape snaps during conversion, we will take reasonable steps to repair your tape without any obligation to engage third parties.
We reserve the right to refuse any materials that upon initial inspection appear to have level of mould we deem too advanced for conversion or that are in an advanced state of disrepair.
After conversion, occasionally there may be some picture/audio disruption due to damage to the tape surface from mould. There is a chance that tapes can be damaged during playback due to the often fragile nature of tapes. Mould can weaken the structure of tape over time meaning it is sometimes prone to snapping during playback. Note: as mould can be pervasive there may not always be visible signs of mould or degradation of any type on your tapes.
If your tape has snapped or snaps during playback we can splice it back together and re-attempt conversion. Splice repairs are $20.00 per tape. If your tape requires new casing replacement casing is $40.00. If a different type of tape repair is required, we will contact you separately to confirm if we can repair your tape and to provide a quote.
While the utmost care is applied to your tapes, Get Set2Digitise is not liable for tapes damaged during the conversion process. Our conversion equipment is regularly maintained and cleaned to minimise the risk to your tapes. In the event your tape snaps during conversion, we will take reasonable steps to repair your tape without any obligation to engage third parties.
We reserve the right to refuse any materials that upon initial inspection appear to have level of mould we deem too advanced for conversion or that are in an advanced state of disrepair.
Q. Why does it cost more to convert Mini DV and Digital 8 tapes?
The capture and conversion process for digital tapes (Mini DV and Digital 8) is different to analogue tapes and is more time consuming. The price bands for Mini DV and Digital 8 tapes reflect this and are $5.00 more per band than the other types of tape we convert - please see our Video Tape Conversion page for costs.
If you have 8mm tapes that do not have ‘Digital 8’ printed on them but were originally recorded in a ‘Digital 8’ camcorder, they will fall under the Digital pricing bands. If you are not sure if they were recorded in a Digital 8 camcorder, this can only be determined at start of conversion.
If you have 8mm tapes that do not have ‘Digital 8’ printed on them but were originally recorded in a ‘Digital 8’ camcorder, they will fall under the Digital pricing bands. If you are not sure if they were recorded in a Digital 8 camcorder, this can only be determined at start of conversion.
Q. Why does it cost the same to digitise a 30 minute video tape/DVD as it does to digitise a 3 hour video tape/DVD? What if my footage is longer than 3 hours?
This is a fair enough question. It costs the same because there are a set number of steps to be undertaken for every tape/DVD we digitise regardless of length.
Prices on our website are for converting tapes/DVDs with up to 3h05m of footage on them. If you have more footage than this on any of your tapes/DVDs, conversion prices are normally twice the standard price per item but we can be flexible on pricing depending on how much footage you have overall (across all tapes/DVDs).
Prices on our website are for converting tapes/DVDs with up to 3h05m of footage on them. If you have more footage than this on any of your tapes/DVDs, conversion prices are normally twice the standard price per item but we can be flexible on pricing depending on how much footage you have overall (across all tapes/DVDs).
Q. What if my tapes contain footage duplicated on other tapes/films I give you? Can you check the contents before converting?
Please Note: If you have VHS tapes or DVDs with footage duplicated on them from camcorder tapes or 8mm films (round reels), we recommend you supply us with the original camcorder tapes or 8mm films if you still have them as the better quality version of your footage is invariably going to be from the original version on your camcorder tapes/8mm film.
We often see footage on VHS tapes or DVD that is duplicated on camcorder tapes or on 8mm film (round reels) because at some stage the footage was transferred from camcorder tape or 8mm film to VHS or DVD so it could be easily viewed through a TV screen.
If you are not sure what has been duplicated and what hasn't, you can give us all of your tapes/DVDs/8mm film reels and if there is a combination of types we will convert any non-duplicated VHS tapes and DVDs after digitising all your camcorder tapes/8mm films. This is to ensure we provide you with footage from the original version, as invariably the original camcorder tape/8mm film footage will be the better quality version.
Please also note the following regarding duplicated footage:
Note 1 - We will stop the conversion in the first couple of minutes if we recognise footage we have already digitised for you and if we suspect the tape/DVD is a straight copy of another tape/DVD (no additional charge).
Note 2 - If we digitise duplicated footage that is further into your tapes/DVDs that we were not able to pick up on during conversion, cost will be at the full price for a tape/DVD conversion.
Note 3 - If you need us to check right through any particular tapes/DVDs for duplicated footage before converting, or if we determine we need to do so during the conversion process, we charge $10.00 - $20.00 per tape/DVD for time spent checking through and extracting any non-duplicated footage (tapes will need to be marked separately for us if you are aware of any in this category).
We often see footage on VHS tapes or DVD that is duplicated on camcorder tapes or on 8mm film (round reels) because at some stage the footage was transferred from camcorder tape or 8mm film to VHS or DVD so it could be easily viewed through a TV screen.
If you are not sure what has been duplicated and what hasn't, you can give us all of your tapes/DVDs/8mm film reels and if there is a combination of types we will convert any non-duplicated VHS tapes and DVDs after digitising all your camcorder tapes/8mm films. This is to ensure we provide you with footage from the original version, as invariably the original camcorder tape/8mm film footage will be the better quality version.
Please also note the following regarding duplicated footage:
Note 1 - We will stop the conversion in the first couple of minutes if we recognise footage we have already digitised for you and if we suspect the tape/DVD is a straight copy of another tape/DVD (no additional charge).
Note 2 - If we digitise duplicated footage that is further into your tapes/DVDs that we were not able to pick up on during conversion, cost will be at the full price for a tape/DVD conversion.
Note 3 - If you need us to check right through any particular tapes/DVDs for duplicated footage before converting, or if we determine we need to do so during the conversion process, we charge $10.00 - $20.00 per tape/DVD for time spent checking through and extracting any non-duplicated footage (tapes will need to be marked separately for us if you are aware of any in this category).
Q. Can you improve the look of my footage for me?
Once your tapes have been converted, we can tidy up your footage to give it a more polished look and feel. This will include editing out any static and blue screens which are common on analogue video tapes and DVDs (we do not edit out sections that have sound or video), improving brightness, contrast & exposure, and correcting colour casts. We can also add Title Pages and Captions to your footage. Please see our Video Tape & DVD Conversion page for costs.
If you think you might like this service undertaken on any of your footage, before you drop off/send your tapes to us we recommend either taking a photo of all of your tapes with the titles/handwritten descriptions visible, or make a list of all of the titles/handwritten descriptions. You can then select the option to proceed with this service when we send you our Order Confirmation form to complete before we start work on your tapes.
PLEASE NOTE: We will name your final MP4 files with whatever is handwritten or printed on your tapes/DVDs as part of our overall service at no additional cost. Adding Title Pages and Captions are seperate services to naming your files. Title pages are designed to appear inside your footage at the start and captions are designed to appear throughout your footage.
If you think you might like this service undertaken on any of your footage, before you drop off/send your tapes to us we recommend either taking a photo of all of your tapes with the titles/handwritten descriptions visible, or make a list of all of the titles/handwritten descriptions. You can then select the option to proceed with this service when we send you our Order Confirmation form to complete before we start work on your tapes.
PLEASE NOTE: We will name your final MP4 files with whatever is handwritten or printed on your tapes/DVDs as part of our overall service at no additional cost. Adding Title Pages and Captions are seperate services to naming your files. Title pages are designed to appear inside your footage at the start and captions are designed to appear throughout your footage.
Q. Can I edit my videos myself after you have digitised them for me?
Yes, we convert your tapes to MP4 files, a readily editable file format accepted by most video editing software programs.
Q. What will the quality be like of my digitised video tapes?
When digitised, the footage is a capture of the current condition of your tapes, and there is no loss in quality through the digitisation process. While digitising your tapes won’t improve the quality of your recordings, it will preserve your footage. There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to the picture and sound quality of your digitised tapes.
VHS and 8mm tape are analogue formats that lose picture and sound quality over time. If your tapes have been in storage for a long time, the magnetic signal on the tapes deteriorates and this causes a loss of quality in your recordings. This can sometimes result in a band of static across sections of your footage or rolling bands/lines of static. Digital tapes such as Mini DV and Digital 8 have a higher picture resolution and better sound quality than analogue tapes, so footage will appear sharper and have better sound than analogue conversions - however this may not always be the case as tape quality can vary. So if you a bit paid more for your tapes and recorded your footage on high quality tapes, you can generally expect a better result than something recorded on cheaper ones.
A major factor that can contribute to graininess and reduced sound quality is the fact that your videos were recorded in Standard Definition. Most TVs and computers nowadays are High Definition meaning any imperfections in the original recordings will be evident.
In the case of VHS tapes, the original recordings of your home videos were usually recorded were usually made on another medium (usually 8mm film or camcorder tape) and were then transferred to VHS tape, so in many cases footage is likely to have slightly fuzzy edges.
Footage from digital tapes (Mini DV and Digital 8) can occasionally appear with a 'pixelling' or tiling effect (blocks of improperly assembled imagery), and footage can appear choppy in sections with audio/video break up. Inaccurate tape path alignment or wearing of the tape heads can contribute to this, interfering with the computer circuitry of the camcorder and therefore corrupting the footage recorded onto the tapes.
Footage shot indoors also tends to be slightly grainy.
Mould can also affect the final quality of your conversions leading to picture and sound disruption.
If your tapes were originally recorded in 'Long Play' mode (doubling the length of your footage), more information is stored at the expense of quality – your footage is likely to appear more blurred, with more tracking and colour issues.
We use high-quality video capture software with Advanced Video Coding that means files sizes can be kept relatively small without sacrificing quality.
For VHS tapes, your typical VHS VCR is not good enough for digitising tapes due to the fact that VHS tapes, being analogue, are a ‘lossy’ format to begin with, and many VHS VCRs tend to amplify errors rather than hide them. For VHS conversions we use Super-VHS VCR players equipped with audio/video filters, digital noise reduction, and built-in time base correctors for removing noise and cleaning video heads.
VHS and 8mm tape are analogue formats that lose picture and sound quality over time. If your tapes have been in storage for a long time, the magnetic signal on the tapes deteriorates and this causes a loss of quality in your recordings. This can sometimes result in a band of static across sections of your footage or rolling bands/lines of static. Digital tapes such as Mini DV and Digital 8 have a higher picture resolution and better sound quality than analogue tapes, so footage will appear sharper and have better sound than analogue conversions - however this may not always be the case as tape quality can vary. So if you a bit paid more for your tapes and recorded your footage on high quality tapes, you can generally expect a better result than something recorded on cheaper ones.
A major factor that can contribute to graininess and reduced sound quality is the fact that your videos were recorded in Standard Definition. Most TVs and computers nowadays are High Definition meaning any imperfections in the original recordings will be evident.
In the case of VHS tapes, the original recordings of your home videos were usually recorded were usually made on another medium (usually 8mm film or camcorder tape) and were then transferred to VHS tape, so in many cases footage is likely to have slightly fuzzy edges.
Footage from digital tapes (Mini DV and Digital 8) can occasionally appear with a 'pixelling' or tiling effect (blocks of improperly assembled imagery), and footage can appear choppy in sections with audio/video break up. Inaccurate tape path alignment or wearing of the tape heads can contribute to this, interfering with the computer circuitry of the camcorder and therefore corrupting the footage recorded onto the tapes.
Footage shot indoors also tends to be slightly grainy.
Mould can also affect the final quality of your conversions leading to picture and sound disruption.
If your tapes were originally recorded in 'Long Play' mode (doubling the length of your footage), more information is stored at the expense of quality – your footage is likely to appear more blurred, with more tracking and colour issues.
We use high-quality video capture software with Advanced Video Coding that means files sizes can be kept relatively small without sacrificing quality.
For VHS tapes, your typical VHS VCR is not good enough for digitising tapes due to the fact that VHS tapes, being analogue, are a ‘lossy’ format to begin with, and many VHS VCRs tend to amplify errors rather than hide them. For VHS conversions we use Super-VHS VCR players equipped with audio/video filters, digital noise reduction, and built-in time base correctors for removing noise and cleaning video heads.
Q. Can I watch my digitised footage on my TV screen? And what are other ways I can watch it?
Many smart TVs with a USB port will allow you to playback MP4 files which is the file format we convert your tapes and DVDs to. There are some exceptions however, including some Sony TV models so we recommend testing MP4 playback on your TV first.
Please note: To watch MP4s on a USB/hard drive through your TV you may need to format your USB/hard drive to be compatible with your TV model*. Remember to copy the files off the USB/hard drive first as formatting it erases all contents.
You can do any of the following to watch your videos through a TV screen:
1. Transfer the MP4 files onto a USB or hard drive, plug the USB/hard drive into your TV screen’s USB port, choose the appropriate setting on your TV to enable MP4 playback (the exact setting will vary depending on your TV model), and play the files through the TV screen; or
2. If you have the YouTube App on your Smart TV, upload your MP4 video files to YouTube and play them through the App on your TV screen. There tend to be fewer adverts and no pop-ups unlike through the desktop version of YouTube. This is a great way to share your files with friends and family (videos on YouTube can be set to "Unlisted" meaning only people with the link can see them); or
3. Connect a computer/laptop to your TV screen with an HDMI cable (if you are using an Apple device you will need an HDMI adapter), choose the appropriate setting on your TV to enable playing media through an HDMI cable, and play the files from your computer/laptop which will be displayed through your TV screen.
4. Use Google Chromecast which is one of the best streaming devices for the simplicity of being able to share your phone or laptop's screen directly onto your TV.
* What format should I format my USB/hard drive to so I can watch MP4s on my TV?
* How to format my USB/hard drive / I can't copy files that are larger than 4GB onto my USB - why is this and how can I fix this?
You can also transfer the files to your mobile device, iPad, or computer for convenient playback.
Please note: To watch MP4s on a USB/hard drive through your TV you may need to format your USB/hard drive to be compatible with your TV model*. Remember to copy the files off the USB/hard drive first as formatting it erases all contents.
You can do any of the following to watch your videos through a TV screen:
1. Transfer the MP4 files onto a USB or hard drive, plug the USB/hard drive into your TV screen’s USB port, choose the appropriate setting on your TV to enable MP4 playback (the exact setting will vary depending on your TV model), and play the files through the TV screen; or
2. If you have the YouTube App on your Smart TV, upload your MP4 video files to YouTube and play them through the App on your TV screen. There tend to be fewer adverts and no pop-ups unlike through the desktop version of YouTube. This is a great way to share your files with friends and family (videos on YouTube can be set to "Unlisted" meaning only people with the link can see them); or
3. Connect a computer/laptop to your TV screen with an HDMI cable (if you are using an Apple device you will need an HDMI adapter), choose the appropriate setting on your TV to enable playing media through an HDMI cable, and play the files from your computer/laptop which will be displayed through your TV screen.
4. Use Google Chromecast which is one of the best streaming devices for the simplicity of being able to share your phone or laptop's screen directly onto your TV.
* What format should I format my USB/hard drive to so I can watch MP4s on my TV?
* How to format my USB/hard drive / I can't copy files that are larger than 4GB onto my USB - why is this and how can I fix this?
You can also transfer the files to your mobile device, iPad, or computer for convenient playback.
Q. Given you don't convert tapes to DVD, how can I give my digitised media as a gift to someone?
A popular (and affordable) option with our customers is to put your digitised files onto a USB and into a USB gift box to give as a gift. We have a small selection of USB gift boxes and we supply USBs. See box options for Gifting Your Digitised Media and visit our Pricing page for more details.
Q. I can't copy files that are larger than 4GB onto my USB - why is this and how can I fix this?
This is due to 'FAT32' limitation on most USBs. Files larger than 4GB initially can not be stored on a 'FAT32' volume. This is a common issue with USBs and manufacturers do not tend to include instructions on their product packaging for how to fix this.
It is easily resolvable however by formatting the USB as 'exFAT' or 'NTFS'. Note, you will need to move all data you wish to keep off the USB first as formatting will delete all files on it.
This link includes instructions for fixing this issue:
kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/289/~/transferring-a-4gb-or-larger-file-to-a-usb-flash-drive-or-memory-card
It is easily resolvable however by formatting the USB as 'exFAT' or 'NTFS'. Note, you will need to move all data you wish to keep off the USB first as formatting will delete all files on it.
This link includes instructions for fixing this issue:
kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/289/~/transferring-a-4gb-or-larger-file-to-a-usb-flash-drive-or-memory-card
Q. How can I share my digitised media with friends and family?
Once we have digitised your media, you will be able to send the Cloud link that we send you with your files to anyone else (no matter where in the world they are) to download the videos as well. They will be able to download them within 28 days before we delete them; instructions will be given that you can pass on.
If you have your own Cloud account (online file storage) it will mean you can upload your files to it and share them with anyone anywhere in the world. Otherwise there are a number of other video sharing sites available (e.g. YouTube) that you can upload your videos to in order to share with others. We recommend YouTube for the fact it is free, allows large file uploads, and videos on YouTube can be set to "Unlisted" meaning only people with the link can see them.
If you have your own Cloud account (online file storage) it will mean you can upload your files to it and share them with anyone anywhere in the world. Otherwise there are a number of other video sharing sites available (e.g. YouTube) that you can upload your videos to in order to share with others. We recommend YouTube for the fact it is free, allows large file uploads, and videos on YouTube can be set to "Unlisted" meaning only people with the link can see them.
Q. What sorts of things are you unable to digitise for me?
Under copyright law we are unable to digitise programmes/shows or items recorded off TV, movies or any other items marked with copyright, unless you or your organisation owns the copyright. Please ensure that you own the copyright of any media you provide us with or that you have obtained the required permission of the copyright holder. We may ask to see written permission from the copyright holder. Click here for further information.
Q. What if some of my footage contains copyrighted material?
We may occasionally end up needing to digitise copyrighted footage in order to locate your personal footage. If any video tape/DVD footage contains copyrighted material (e.g. items /shows off TV), we will need to search through & edit it out before providing you with a copy. There will be no cost for removing copyrighted footage that is at the start or at the end of your tapes. However if copyrighted footage is interspersed throughout your footage, cost to remove it will be an additional $10.00 - $20.00 per video tape/DVD/8mm film reel (cost dependent on extent of editing required).
Q. Can you add music to my digitised footage?
No, we are unable to add music due to copyright restrictions.
8MM FILM CONVERSION SERVICES
Please see our PRICING page for costs. If you can't find the answer to your question below, please check above under 'GENERAL', or CONTACT US.
Q. Why should I get my 8mm film digitised?
8mm film degrades over time, causing image issues. Film stored in airtight environments traps the gases that it emits which accelerates the deterioration of film and can contribute to a form of decay called 'vinegar syndrome'. Mould is also a very common problem that can damage your film. We do not recommend watching your film through old film projectors as the heat from the lamp can scorch your film which is delicate.
Digitising your film NOW eliminates the concern that these factors will continue to further impact the condition of your film.
Digitising your film means that you can watch the footage on your mobile device, iPad, computer or through your TV screen. It also means you can share your videos online with family and friends, and rest easy knowing that future generations can enjoy your treasured memories too.
Digitising your film NOW eliminates the concern that these factors will continue to further impact the condition of your film.
Digitising your film means that you can watch the footage on your mobile device, iPad, computer or through your TV screen. It also means you can share your videos online with family and friends, and rest easy knowing that future generations can enjoy your treasured memories too.
Q. Why don't you convert 8mm film to DVD?
The main reasons we don't convert to DVD are that discs are becoming obsolete and are prone to sratches and playback issues. We will convert your films to MP4 file format which means that you can watch your digitised media on your mobile device, iPad, computer or TV. See below for ways to watch your digitised footage through your TV screen*, and gifting your media.
*Note: some models of TV do not support MP4 playback so we recommend testing MP4 playback on your TV first.
*Note: some models of TV do not support MP4 playback so we recommend testing MP4 playback on your TV first.
Q. What type of film can you digitise?
We can transfer silent Standard 8mm Film (also referred to as Normal or Regular 8mm) and Super 8 Film. We are currently not able to digitise film with sound or other film types.
We can transfer 8mm film that is on any reel up to 7 inches in diameter, including three of the most common reel sizes: 3 inches diameter (50 feet; fits in the palm of your hand); 5 inches diameter (200 feet); and 7 inches in diameter (400 feet). If you have film on reels of sizes other than these, contact us for a quote.
We can transfer 8mm film that is on any reel up to 7 inches in diameter, including three of the most common reel sizes: 3 inches diameter (50 feet; fits in the palm of your hand); 5 inches diameter (200 feet); and 7 inches in diameter (400 feet). If you have film on reels of sizes other than these, contact us for a quote.
Q. What file format do you convert 8mm film to? How big will my files be?
Your 8mm film will be converted to MP4 file format, which is widely supported by most digital platforms and playback devices. You will be able to share and edit your videos if you wish.
We will convert each film reel to one MP4 file - so if you have 8 reels of film there will be 8 files. We will name your files according to what we can see is written or printed on each reel. You will be able to re-name any files if you wish.
File sizes vary depending on the length of your footage, but generally you can expect each file to be anywhere between 500MB and 4GB.
We will convert each film reel to one MP4 file - so if you have 8 reels of film there will be 8 files. We will name your files according to what we can see is written or printed on each reel. You will be able to re-name any files if you wish.
File sizes vary depending on the length of your footage, but generally you can expect each file to be anywhere between 500MB and 4GB.
Q. How many minutes of footage do I have on my reels?
3 inch reels (50 feet) generally produce 3-4 minutes of footage; 5 inch reels (200 feet) 14-16 minutes; and 7 inch reels (400 feet) 28-32 minutes.
Q. What if my film reels are not completely full?
If you have 200ft (5 inch) or 400ft (7 inch) reels that are not completely full, contact us for a quote. 50 foot (3 inch) reels are not discounted and are at the rate set on our Pricing page.
Q. What if my 8mm film is broken?
That’s not a problem - we will repair it free of charge.
Q. I have a number of reels to be digitised - can I try you out first before getting them all done?
Absolutely, customers do this all the time. Give us a call or email to arrange dropping one or more reels off to us.
Q. I have 8mm camcorder tapes, not 8mm round reels - can you digitise these?
Yes, we can also transfer other common video tape formats, including 8mm (Video 8), Digital 8, Hi 8, VHS, Betamax, VHS-C, S-VHS, S-VHS-C, and Mini DV.
For further information, please see above under 'Video Tape & DVD Conversion Services'.
For further information, please see above under 'Video Tape & DVD Conversion Services'.
Q. What method do you use to digitise 8mm film?
We use a dedicated 8mm HD film scanner that scans each individual frame of film one-by-one using a progressive scan capture system. The cold LED light source built into our scanner ensures there is no risk of your film burning. Our scanner pulls the maximum details out of the frame, resulting in flicker-free transfers to digital that don’t soften the detail in the image and are ideal for viewing on a TV or computer.
Q. Do you clean my film prior to transfer?
The only cleaning we do prior to transfer is with an airbrush if we encounter a reel that appears to have some loose debris on it.
We don’t think it is a good idea to introduce chemical or liquid 'cleaners' to old film as all film has deteriorated somewhat over time, and we don't want to risk damaging the emulsion layer with chemicals when there is no way to know how much deterioration has occurred. We find that the overwhelming majority of film does not have any issues that would require a 'cleaning' in the first place.
We don’t think it is a good idea to introduce chemical or liquid 'cleaners' to old film as all film has deteriorated somewhat over time, and we don't want to risk damaging the emulsion layer with chemicals when there is no way to know how much deterioration has occurred. We find that the overwhelming majority of film does not have any issues that would require a 'cleaning' in the first place.
Q. What is included in your standard service?
Included in our base cost for converting your film is a basic colour balance and saturation and exposure correction if it is needed. Due to the age and condition of 8mm film, correction results may vary depending on level and type of discolouration to your original film.
Q. Can you improve the look of my footage for me?
Once your 8mm film has been converted, we can tidy up your footage to give it a more polished look and feel.
Once your film has been converted, we can tidy up your footage to give it a more polished look and feel. This will include removing gaps, recording mistakes and jams and jumps in film frames common on old film, largely due to splices and damage to sprocket holes from playing through film projectors. We will also undertake a more advanced level of colour, contrast and exposure correction.
Note: Most films we see need some of this type of editing and will benefit from it, however depending on the condition of the film it may not always be required. We can also add Title Pages and Captions to your footage. Please see our 8mm Film Conversion page for costs.
If you think you might like this service undertaken on any of your footage, before you drop off/send your films to us we recommend either taking a photo of all of your reels with the titles/handwritten descriptions visible, or make a list of all of the titles/handwritten descriptions. You can then select the option to proceed with this service when we send you our Order Confirmation form to complete before we start work on your film.
PLEASE NOTE: We will name your final MP4 files with whatever is handwritten or printed on your 8mm films as part of our overall service at no additional cost. Adding Title Pages and Captions are seperate services to naming your files. Title pages are designed to appear inside your footage at the start and captions are designed to appear throughout your footage.
Once your film has been converted, we can tidy up your footage to give it a more polished look and feel. This will include removing gaps, recording mistakes and jams and jumps in film frames common on old film, largely due to splices and damage to sprocket holes from playing through film projectors. We will also undertake a more advanced level of colour, contrast and exposure correction.
Note: Most films we see need some of this type of editing and will benefit from it, however depending on the condition of the film it may not always be required. We can also add Title Pages and Captions to your footage. Please see our 8mm Film Conversion page for costs.
If you think you might like this service undertaken on any of your footage, before you drop off/send your films to us we recommend either taking a photo of all of your reels with the titles/handwritten descriptions visible, or make a list of all of the titles/handwritten descriptions. You can then select the option to proceed with this service when we send you our Order Confirmation form to complete before we start work on your film.
PLEASE NOTE: We will name your final MP4 files with whatever is handwritten or printed on your 8mm films as part of our overall service at no additional cost. Adding Title Pages and Captions are seperate services to naming your files. Title pages are designed to appear inside your footage at the start and captions are designed to appear throughout your footage.
Q. Can I edit my videos myself after you have digitised them for me?
Yes, we convert your 8mm film to MP4 video files, a readily editable file format accepted by most video editing software programs.
Q. What will the quality be like of my digitised film?
Customers have reported that they have been very happy with their digitised film, often commenting on the clarity and colour likeness. While digitising your film won’t improve the quality of your footage, it will preserve it.
There are a number of factors that have a bearing on the quality of your digitised film. Namely, the age and quality of the film used, quality of the lens on the original home movie camera, indoor and outdoor lighting conditions, level of film degradation (how and where the film has been stored impacts this), and how often it has been played through an old film projector (heat from the lamp can cause film to scorch).
We occasionally see picture degradation in the form patchy brown or grey marks due to damage to the emulsion layer on film. We also sometimes see footage that may appear jittery caused by damage to sprocket holes in the film (by playing through old film projectors), film not being inserted into the original camera correctly, or an incorrect setting on the camera that may have been applied before filming.
Jumps in film frames and jams in the footage can occur occasionally, usually also caused by damage to just the occasional sprocket hole. We can edit out jumps and jams in film frames with our editing service so that your footage play more smoothly – click here for pricing.
When viewing your digitised files, they may sometimes appear to be grainy. The main reason for this is that most TVs and computers are High Definition meaning any imperfections and graininess in the footage will be evident. Larger screens will also magnify this. The age of the film also has a bearing - footage recorded in the 1950s and 1960s can sometimes appear grainier. Indoors scenes will often appear grainy due to low lighting.
We use a dedicated 8mm HD film scanner that scans each individual frame of film resulting in flicker-free transfers to digital that don’t soften the detail in the image and are ideal for viewing on a TV or computer.
There are a number of factors that have a bearing on the quality of your digitised film. Namely, the age and quality of the film used, quality of the lens on the original home movie camera, indoor and outdoor lighting conditions, level of film degradation (how and where the film has been stored impacts this), and how often it has been played through an old film projector (heat from the lamp can cause film to scorch).
We occasionally see picture degradation in the form patchy brown or grey marks due to damage to the emulsion layer on film. We also sometimes see footage that may appear jittery caused by damage to sprocket holes in the film (by playing through old film projectors), film not being inserted into the original camera correctly, or an incorrect setting on the camera that may have been applied before filming.
Jumps in film frames and jams in the footage can occur occasionally, usually also caused by damage to just the occasional sprocket hole. We can edit out jumps and jams in film frames with our editing service so that your footage play more smoothly – click here for pricing.
When viewing your digitised files, they may sometimes appear to be grainy. The main reason for this is that most TVs and computers are High Definition meaning any imperfections and graininess in the footage will be evident. Larger screens will also magnify this. The age of the film also has a bearing - footage recorded in the 1950s and 1960s can sometimes appear grainier. Indoors scenes will often appear grainy due to low lighting.
We use a dedicated 8mm HD film scanner that scans each individual frame of film resulting in flicker-free transfers to digital that don’t soften the detail in the image and are ideal for viewing on a TV or computer.
Q. Can I watch my digitised footage on my TV screen? And what are the other ways I can watch it?
Many smart TVs with a USB port will allow you to playback MP4 files which is the file format we convert your 8mm film to. There are some exceptions however, including some Sony TV models so we recommend testing MP4 playback on your TV first.
Please note: To watch MP4s on a USB/hard drive through your TV you may need to format your USB/hard drive to be compatible with your TV model*. Remember to copy the files off the USB/hard drive first as formatting it erases all contents.
You can do any of the following to watch your videos through a TV screen:
1. Transfer the MP4 files onto a USB or hard drive, plug the USB/hard drive into your TV screen’s USB port, choose the appropriate setting on your TV to enable MP4 playback (the exact setting will vary depending on your TV model), and play the files through the TV screen; or
2. If you have the YouTube App on your Smart TV, upload your MP4 video files to YouTube and play them through the App on your TV screen. There tend to be fewer adverts and no pop-ups unlike through the desktop version of YouTube. This is a great way to share your files with friends and family (videos on YouTube can be set to "Unlisted" meaning only people with the link can see them); or
3. Connect a computer/laptop to your TV screen with an HDMI cable (if you are using an Apple device you will need an HDMI adapter), choose the appropriate setting on your TV to enable playing media through an HDMI cable, and play the files from your computer/laptop which will be displayed through your TV screen.
4. Use Google Chromecast which is one of the best streaming devices for the simplicity of being able to share your phone or laptop's screen directly onto your TV.
* What format should I format my USB/hard drive to so I can watch MP4s on my TV?
* How to format my USB/hard drive / I can't copy files that are larger than 4GB onto my USB - why is this and how can I fix this?
You can also transfer the files to your mobile device, iPad, or computer for convenient playback.
Please note: footage may sometimes appear slightly grainy when viewed on a hi-definition TV or computer screen (results may vary on different screens).
Please note: To watch MP4s on a USB/hard drive through your TV you may need to format your USB/hard drive to be compatible with your TV model*. Remember to copy the files off the USB/hard drive first as formatting it erases all contents.
You can do any of the following to watch your videos through a TV screen:
1. Transfer the MP4 files onto a USB or hard drive, plug the USB/hard drive into your TV screen’s USB port, choose the appropriate setting on your TV to enable MP4 playback (the exact setting will vary depending on your TV model), and play the files through the TV screen; or
2. If you have the YouTube App on your Smart TV, upload your MP4 video files to YouTube and play them through the App on your TV screen. There tend to be fewer adverts and no pop-ups unlike through the desktop version of YouTube. This is a great way to share your files with friends and family (videos on YouTube can be set to "Unlisted" meaning only people with the link can see them); or
3. Connect a computer/laptop to your TV screen with an HDMI cable (if you are using an Apple device you will need an HDMI adapter), choose the appropriate setting on your TV to enable playing media through an HDMI cable, and play the files from your computer/laptop which will be displayed through your TV screen.
4. Use Google Chromecast which is one of the best streaming devices for the simplicity of being able to share your phone or laptop's screen directly onto your TV.
* What format should I format my USB/hard drive to so I can watch MP4s on my TV?
* How to format my USB/hard drive / I can't copy files that are larger than 4GB onto my USB - why is this and how can I fix this?
You can also transfer the files to your mobile device, iPad, or computer for convenient playback.
Please note: footage may sometimes appear slightly grainy when viewed on a hi-definition TV or computer screen (results may vary on different screens).
Q. Given you don't convert film to DVD, how can I give my digitised media as a gift to someone?
A popular (and affordable) option with our customers is to put your digitised files onto a USB and into a USB gift box to give as a gift. We have a small selection of USB gift boxes and we supply USBs. See box options for Gifting Your Digitised Media and visit our Pricing page for more details.
Q. How can I share my videos with friends and family?
Once we have digitised your media, you will be able to send the Cloud link that we send you with your files to anyone else (no matter where in the world they are) to download the videos as well. They will be able to download them within 28 days before we delete them; instructions will be given that you can pass on.
If you have your own Cloud account (online file storage) it will mean you can upload your files to it and share them with anyone anywhere in the world. Otherwise there are a number of other video sharing sites available (e.g. YouTube) that you can upload your videos to in order to share with others. We recommend YouTube for the fact it is free, allows large file uploads, and videos on YouTube can be set to "Unlisted" meaning only people with the link can see them.
If you have your own Cloud account (online file storage) it will mean you can upload your files to it and share them with anyone anywhere in the world. Otherwise there are a number of other video sharing sites available (e.g. YouTube) that you can upload your videos to in order to share with others. We recommend YouTube for the fact it is free, allows large file uploads, and videos on YouTube can be set to "Unlisted" meaning only people with the link can see them.
Q. What sorts of things are you not allowed to digitise for me?
Under copyright law we are unable to digitise programmes/shows or items recorded off TV, movies or any other items marked with copyright, unless you or your organisation owns the copyright. Please ensure that you own the copyright of any media you provide us with or that you have obtained the required permission of the copyright holder. We may ask to see written permission from the copyright holder. Click here for further information.
Q. Can you add music to my digitised film?
No, we are unable to add music due to copyright restrictions.
MUSIC & AUDIO CONVERSION SERVICES
Please see our PRICING page for costs. If you can't find the answer to your question below, please check above under 'GENERAL', or CONTACT US.
Q. Why should I get my Cassette tapes, Microcassettes, Vinyl or CDs digitised?
It’s a great question given that a great deal of music can be purchased online nowadays and many of the albums you own may well be available this way. Rarer recordings however – which are more often on vinyl and sometimes cassette tape – are unlikely to be found online so digitising them is the best solution for preservation and for the option of listening to your recordings wherever you go.
Ripping your CDs is inexpensive ($2.50 to $3.50 per disc). Purchasing the same album online is generally more expensive.
If you've got cassette tapes with a special event recorded them like a funeral service, an interview, diary entries, or just random recordings done for the fun of it, you can finally relive some of the old memories on them.
If there are dictaphone tapes (microcassettes) at your workplace that contain important recordings that need to be preserved for the organisation, getting them digitised means they can be stored and accessed in your filing system.
Most older media formats have factors that can shorten their lifespan considerably such as tape degradation, mould and scratches so digitising eliminates these concerns.
Ripping your CDs is inexpensive ($2.50 to $3.50 per disc). Purchasing the same album online is generally more expensive.
If you've got cassette tapes with a special event recorded them like a funeral service, an interview, diary entries, or just random recordings done for the fun of it, you can finally relive some of the old memories on them.
If there are dictaphone tapes (microcassettes) at your workplace that contain important recordings that need to be preserved for the organisation, getting them digitised means they can be stored and accessed in your filing system.
Most older media formats have factors that can shorten their lifespan considerably such as tape degradation, mould and scratches so digitising eliminates these concerns.
Q. Are there any Copyright restrictions as to what you can digitise for me?
We are unable to convert music or items recorded off the radio (unless you can demonstrate you own the copyright), copies made of commercially-released recordings or home-made mixed/compilation tapes/CDs. Click here for further information.
Under copyright law in New Zealand, it is legal to have a copy of commercially-released music/recordings in a different format (e.g. burned to CD; MP3) for each device you own for your own personal use. So this means for commercially-released Vinyl, CDs & Audio Cassettes we can only provide you with your digitised files on either the Cloud or on one USB/hard drive (in addition to CD if required for vinyl and cassettes), but you can put a duplicate copy on each device you own (e.g. your smart phone, home computer, or MP3 player).
Under copyright law in New Zealand, it is legal to have a copy of commercially-released music/recordings in a different format (e.g. burned to CD; MP3) for each device you own for your own personal use. So this means for commercially-released Vinyl, CDs & Audio Cassettes we can only provide you with your digitised files on either the Cloud or on one USB/hard drive (in addition to CD if required for vinyl and cassettes), but you can put a duplicate copy on each device you own (e.g. your smart phone, home computer, or MP3 player).
Q. I want to get my CDs converted but cannot drop them off to you. How can I keep courier costs down?
If sending us your CDs for conversion via courier, we would recommend (if feasible) removing the CDs from their cases to keep courier costs down. The CDs could be inserted into soft plastic CD sleeves or between sheets of paper before sending these to us.
Q. What types of media/formats can you digitise?
We can digitise Cassette Tapes and Microcassettes ('Dictaphone' tapes); 12" and 7" Vinyl Records (with the exception of 78 rpm records); and Compact Discs (CDs).
Q. What formats can you digitise my media to?
We can convert your Vinyl to MP3, M4A (AAC) or WAV, and your rip your CDs to MP3, M4A (AAC), AIFF, ALAC (Apple Lossless), WAV or FLAC. Your Cassette Tapes and Microcassettes will be converted to MP3 format. In addition we can burn your Vinyl, Cassette Tapes and Microcassettes to blank CDs.
IMPORTANT: We recommend you check the device/programme/system you will be playing your files on to see if it will play your preferred file format. All of the above file formats, with the exception of FLAC will play in iTunes (now known as 'Music').
See next question for what the best format is for you.
IMPORTANT: We recommend you check the device/programme/system you will be playing your files on to see if it will play your preferred file format. All of the above file formats, with the exception of FLAC will play in iTunes (now known as 'Music').
See next question for what the best format is for you.
Q. Can you explain what the different digital file formats are and what the best one for me is?
We can convert your Vinyl to MP3, M4A (AAC) or WAV, and your rip your CDs to MP3, M4A (AAC), AIFF, ALAC (Apple Lossless), WAV or FLAC. Your Cassette Tapes and Microcassettes will be converted to MP3 format. In addition we can burn your Vinyl, Cassette Tapes and Microcassettes to blank CDs.
All of the above file formats, with the exception of FLAC will play in iTunes (now known as 'Music').
See below for more info on the different formats:
MP3 and AAC are both lossy compressed audio formats. Lossy compression is a form of compression that loses data during the conversion process. In the context of audio, that means sacrificing quality and fidelity for file size. The good news is that, in most cases, you won't be able to hear the difference.
WAV and AIFF are uncompressed audio formats - the files contain real sound waves that have been captured and converted to digital format without any further processing. As a result, uncompressed audio files tend to be the most accurate but take up a lot of disk space.
ALAC and FLAC are lossless compressed audio formats which use a method that reduces file size without any loss in quality between the original source file and the resulting file. The downside is that lossless compression isn’t as efficient as lossy compression, meaning equivalent files can be 2x to 5x larger.
For most people, the decision is actually pretty easy:
For those who want utmost quality in their music playback, note that high-quality audio files won’t matter if your playback device can’t faithfully recreate those sounds. Meaning, you need to have good quality speakers or good quality headphones!
All of the above file formats, with the exception of FLAC will play in iTunes (now known as 'Music').
See below for more info on the different formats:
MP3 and AAC are both lossy compressed audio formats. Lossy compression is a form of compression that loses data during the conversion process. In the context of audio, that means sacrificing quality and fidelity for file size. The good news is that, in most cases, you won't be able to hear the difference.
WAV and AIFF are uncompressed audio formats - the files contain real sound waves that have been captured and converted to digital format without any further processing. As a result, uncompressed audio files tend to be the most accurate but take up a lot of disk space.
ALAC and FLAC are lossless compressed audio formats which use a method that reduces file size without any loss in quality between the original source file and the resulting file. The downside is that lossless compression isn’t as efficient as lossy compression, meaning equivalent files can be 2x to 5x larger.
For most people, the decision is actually pretty easy:
- MP3 is the most popular format and is supported by the majority of devices. Most people actually can’t hear the difference between MP3 and lossless music formats unless you listen to it on high end music equipment. It is ideal for listening to on most music devices and it takes up the least amount of disk space. AAC generally offers higher-quality sound than an MP3 while using the same amount of disk space or less. AAC files can be played on a range of non-Apple devices, including the game consoles and mobile phones running Google's Android OS, among others. Out of the two, we recommend MP3 for its ability to play on most devices.
- Choose WAV or AIFF (uncompressed formats) if you’re capturing and editing raw audio. This way you’re working with the truest quality of audio possible. When you’re done, you can export to a compressed format.
- Choose ALAC or FLAC (lossless audio compression) if you’re listening to music and want faithful audio representation. This is why audiophiles tend to go for for ALAC or FLAC over MP3. Note that you’ll need more storage space for this file type. Note: iTunes does not support playback of FLAC files.
For those who want utmost quality in their music playback, note that high-quality audio files won’t matter if your playback device can’t faithfully recreate those sounds. Meaning, you need to have good quality speakers or good quality headphones!
Q. How can you give me my digitised music/audio files?
We will upload your digitised audio files to our Cloud server* for you to download them to your computer or we can transfer your files to a USB**, or burn to CD.
*IMPORTANT: Under copyright law in New Zealand, it is legal to have a copy of commercially-released music/recordings in a different format (e.g. burned to CD; MP3) for each device you own for your own personal use. So this means for commercially-released Vinyl & Audio Cassettes we can only provide you with your digitised files on either the Cloud or on one USB/hard drive (in addition to CD if required), but you can put a duplicate copy on each device you own (e.g. your smart phone, home computer, or MP3 player). We are unable to convert music or items recorded off the radio or home-made mixed/compilation tapes/CDs. Click here for further information.
**If you have a large number of items to be digitised, or if you have encountered problems in the past with unzipping files on your device or experience internet connection issues we recommend that we supply you with your files on USB instead of downloading from Cloud. Please note, to minimise the risk of viruses we are only able to accept brand new or if used, formatted USBs with no files on them. We can also supply USBs (see PRICING page for details). If you wish, you can supply us with a hard drive to transfer your files to (note - all files must be moved off before providing to us).
*IMPORTANT: Under copyright law in New Zealand, it is legal to have a copy of commercially-released music/recordings in a different format (e.g. burned to CD; MP3) for each device you own for your own personal use. So this means for commercially-released Vinyl & Audio Cassettes we can only provide you with your digitised files on either the Cloud or on one USB/hard drive (in addition to CD if required), but you can put a duplicate copy on each device you own (e.g. your smart phone, home computer, or MP3 player). We are unable to convert music or items recorded off the radio or home-made mixed/compilation tapes/CDs. Click here for further information.
**If you have a large number of items to be digitised, or if you have encountered problems in the past with unzipping files on your device or experience internet connection issues we recommend that we supply you with your files on USB instead of downloading from Cloud. Please note, to minimise the risk of viruses we are only able to accept brand new or if used, formatted USBs with no files on them. We can also supply USBs (see PRICING page for details). If you wish, you can supply us with a hard drive to transfer your files to (note - all files must be moved off before providing to us).
Q. Do you clean my vinyl records as part of your service?
Yes, we deep-clean your records prior to conversion as cleaning them is a major factor in how your digitised music will sound. Dust settles and accumulates in the grooves of vinyl over a long period of time, so we use a wet cleaning method to remove particles.
Q. What does your service include?
Please see our Music & Audio Conversion page for what our service includes for your cassette tape, vinyl and CDs.
Q. Can you improve the sound quality of my recordings?
For vinyl and cassette tapes, in most cases, yes. We use professional audio equipment to convert your music to digital format - you may be nicely surprised at the improved sound quality. The final results will however also depend on the quality of the source material. In the case of cassette tapes, microcassettes and vinyl, we also use professional software to enhance and clean up your audio, reducing hiss, click and crackles from your recordings using noise reduction features.
Q. How can I listen to my music/recordings once they’ve been digitised?
You can import your files into iTunes (instructions will be provided) or another music program. You can also transfer the files to your mobile device, iPad, or MP3 player for convenient playback. If you have a modern hi-fi system with USB port you can transfer the files to USB and play them through your system. Or if we are burning your files to CD, you can play your files in your car CD player or CD player at home.
PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES
Please see our PRICING page for costs. If you can't find the answer to your question below, please check above under 'GENERAL', or CONTACT US.
Photos, Slides & Negatives Scanning
Q. How should I prepare my photos, slides & negatives in readiness for scanning?
Photos, Slides and Negatives:
We can accept a maximum of 2,500 photos and 1,500 slides or negatives per order.
Unless otherwise requested, we will provide you with subfolders for your scanned images, with one subfolder per box of slides/batch of negatives/pile/bag of loose photos, and we will also name the individual subfolders and files within them according to what is written/printed on each box of slides/batch of negatives/pile/bag of loose photos. If you would like your files provided to you this way, please label your slide boxes/batches of negatives/piles/bags of loose photos for us. Please note we may need to charge an administration cost if multiple subfolders are required.
Photos:
Our photo scanning prices are for scanning loose photos and photos that are up to 12"x8" (A4 sheet size). Contact us for a quote for scanning photos that are adhered to album pages or if you have larger images to be scanned. We are unable to accept photos in albums. If your photos are in frames, please remove them from their frames before bringing them to us. Contact us if you have any questions or concerns about this.
If required please put your images in the order you would like them scanned. If they are curled at the edges, that's no problem as our scanner will flatten them. Any photos in frames will need from the frame before providing to us.
All photos provided to us will be scanned. We will not scan duplicates if we are able to easily to identify them.
Slides and Negatives:
You can provide us with your slides and negatives in whatever boxes/containers/sleeves they are currently in. If required, please put your slides and negatives in the order you would like them scanned. If you do not require all images in a single negative film strip to be scanned, please write down the numbers of the negatives (e.g. 1, 1a, 3, 3a) that are shown on the strips that you would like to be scanned.
We can accept a maximum of 2,500 photos and 1,500 slides or negatives per order.
Unless otherwise requested, we will provide you with subfolders for your scanned images, with one subfolder per box of slides/batch of negatives/pile/bag of loose photos, and we will also name the individual subfolders and files within them according to what is written/printed on each box of slides/batch of negatives/pile/bag of loose photos. If you would like your files provided to you this way, please label your slide boxes/batches of negatives/piles/bags of loose photos for us. Please note we may need to charge an administration cost if multiple subfolders are required.
Photos:
Our photo scanning prices are for scanning loose photos and photos that are up to 12"x8" (A4 sheet size). Contact us for a quote for scanning photos that are adhered to album pages or if you have larger images to be scanned. We are unable to accept photos in albums. If your photos are in frames, please remove them from their frames before bringing them to us. Contact us if you have any questions or concerns about this.
If required please put your images in the order you would like them scanned. If they are curled at the edges, that's no problem as our scanner will flatten them. Any photos in frames will need from the frame before providing to us.
All photos provided to us will be scanned. We will not scan duplicates if we are able to easily to identify them.
Slides and Negatives:
You can provide us with your slides and negatives in whatever boxes/containers/sleeves they are currently in. If required, please put your slides and negatives in the order you would like them scanned. If you do not require all images in a single negative film strip to be scanned, please write down the numbers of the negatives (e.g. 1, 1a, 3, 3a) that are shown on the strips that you would like to be scanned.
Q. What sizes/types of photos, slides and negatives can you scan for me?
Photos
We can scan photos that are up to 12"x8" (A4 sheet size) at the prices stated on the website. Contact us for a quote if you have larger images to be scanned. Photo scanning prices are for scanning loose photos or photos that can easily be removed from albums and replaced. Contact us for a quote for scanning photos that are adhered to album pages.
Slides
We can scan 35mm, 110 & 126 slides. We are also able to scan 35mm glass mounted slides. If you are unsure what format your slides are please see our Photo & Film Scanning page.
Negatives
We can scan the following type of negatives:
35mm Negatives – Image area: 20mm x 32mm (may vary slightly)
126 Format Negatives – Image area: 26.5mm x 26.5mm (may vary slightly)
120 Format Negatives – Image areas: 120 medium format contains a range of frame sizes: 6×4.5cm, 6x6cm, 6x7cm, 6x8cm, and 6x9cm
We can scan photos that are up to 12"x8" (A4 sheet size) at the prices stated on the website. Contact us for a quote if you have larger images to be scanned. Photo scanning prices are for scanning loose photos or photos that can easily be removed from albums and replaced. Contact us for a quote for scanning photos that are adhered to album pages.
Slides
We can scan 35mm, 110 & 126 slides. We are also able to scan 35mm glass mounted slides. If you are unsure what format your slides are please see our Photo & Film Scanning page.
Negatives
We can scan the following type of negatives:
35mm Negatives – Image area: 20mm x 32mm (may vary slightly)
126 Format Negatives – Image area: 26.5mm x 26.5mm (may vary slightly)
120 Format Negatives – Image areas: 120 medium format contains a range of frame sizes: 6×4.5cm, 6x6cm, 6x7cm, 6x8cm, and 6x9cm
Q. What is included in the slides & negatives scanning service? Do you correct/enhance my images for me?
Before we scan your slides and negatives, we will give them a light clean to remove dust and debris.
Scanning prices on our website include correcting contrast, brightness and exposure, grain levels and fading. Prices exclude fixing colour casts, saturation levels, tone, shadows and highlights which are an additional cost (see bottom of our Photo & Film Scanning page for costs).
Scanning prices on our website include correcting contrast, brightness and exposure, grain levels and fading. Prices exclude fixing colour casts, saturation levels, tone, shadows and highlights which are an additional cost (see bottom of our Photo & Film Scanning page for costs).
Q. What resolutions do you scan to? What will the quality be like of my scanned images?
Photos are scanned to 600 dpi, and slides and negatives to 2,400 dpi, ideal for viewing on computer screens, printing 6"x4"s, creating photo books and online digital photo albums, and are ample for printing up to A3 size. Photos are scanned to a maximum resolution of 600 dpi as scanning any higher produces an identical result and will increase file sizes without giving any additional details in the image.
We can scan selected slides and negatives to higher resolution files for printing to larger sizes or for creating slideshows - contact us for a price.
We use high-speed Canon scanning equipment with professional film scanning quality to give you the best image reproduction. Before scanning we will remove any dust or dirt from your prints, slides and negatives.
Please note that the quality of your original prints, slides and negatives will also determine the final quality of your scanned images. The type of camera used to take your images, including the settings applied and the type of film will have a bearing on the final quality.
We can scan selected slides and negatives to higher resolution files for printing to larger sizes or for creating slideshows - contact us for a price.
We use high-speed Canon scanning equipment with professional film scanning quality to give you the best image reproduction. Before scanning we will remove any dust or dirt from your prints, slides and negatives.
Please note that the quality of your original prints, slides and negatives will also determine the final quality of your scanned images. The type of camera used to take your images, including the settings applied and the type of film will have a bearing on the final quality.
Q. Do you offer printing services?
We don't offer printing services, however we can scan photos, negatives and slides to resolutions suitable for prints and enlargements that you will be able to take to a printers on a USB. We are able to provide USBs if required.
Q. What if I want to get my photos, slides or negatives enlarged after you have scanned them for me?
Please Note: The standard resolutions of 600 dpi that we scan photos to and 2,400 dpi that we can slides and negatives to are ample for printing up to A3 size.
Upon request we can scan selected slides and negatives up to 9,600 dpi. This will enable you to print high resolution enlargements up to A0 (84.1 x 118.9 cm). Please contact us for a quote for scanning to higher resolutions.
Note that the quality of your original prints, slides and negatives will also determine the final quality of your enlargements. The type of camera used to take your images, including the settings applied and the type of film will have a bearing on the final quality.
Upon request we can scan selected slides and negatives up to 9,600 dpi. This will enable you to print high resolution enlargements up to A0 (84.1 x 118.9 cm). Please contact us for a quote for scanning to higher resolutions.
Note that the quality of your original prints, slides and negatives will also determine the final quality of your enlargements. The type of camera used to take your images, including the settings applied and the type of film will have a bearing on the final quality.
Q. What file format do you scan photos, slides and negatives to? How big will my files be?
Your photos, slides and negatives will be scanned to jpeg file format, which is a widely supported file format and can be easily edited, stored and shared.
Jpeg file sizes for scanned photos will vary anywhere between a few KB and up to around 12 MB. File sizes for scanned slides and negatives will vary anywhere between around 1 MB and up to around 20 MB. Note: these are approximate only. Editing (e.g. if enhancements are made to images) will increase file sizes.
Jpeg file sizes for scanned photos will vary anywhere between a few KB and up to around 12 MB. File sizes for scanned slides and negatives will vary anywhere between around 1 MB and up to around 20 MB. Note: these are approximate only. Editing (e.g. if enhancements are made to images) will increase file sizes.
Q. Do you clean slides prior to scanning?
We will give your slides a dust, applying light to medium pressure to remove any surface dirt. However we do not introduce water or any chemicals to your slides in order to reduce the risk of damage to the surface.
If there is mould on any of your slides, this may show up as blue/mauve spots on the final scan. We can edit these out for you after scanning (a seperate quote can be provided).
If there is mould on any of your slides, this may show up as blue/mauve spots on the final scan. We can edit these out for you after scanning (a seperate quote can be provided).
Q. What if I'm not sure what's on my 35mm Slides?
We have a 35mm Slides viewer that you can hire from us for $15.00.
Conditions of Hire
- Amount to be paid before hire of unit is $40.00 ($25.00 deposit + $15.00 hire cost)
- Only available for hire if you are able to collect and return in person to us in Wellington CBD within 5 days
- Unit can be collected when payment to our bank account has cleared or cash can be paid on pick up
- Deposit will be credited/debited against your scanning order or after hire period pending fulfilment of above conditions
Conditions of Hire
- Amount to be paid before hire of unit is $40.00 ($25.00 deposit + $15.00 hire cost)
- Only available for hire if you are able to collect and return in person to us in Wellington CBD within 5 days
- Unit can be collected when payment to our bank account has cleared or cash can be paid on pick up
- Deposit will be credited/debited against your scanning order or after hire period pending fulfilment of above conditions
Q. Can I edit my images myself after you’ve scanned them?
Yes, we convert to JPEG which is our standard format, so you’ll easily be able to make any edits to your images. If you would prefer to make improvements yourself to your scanned slides and negatives just let us know and we will provide you with unedited versions of your images.
Q. How can I share my scanned photos, negatives or slides with friends and family?
Once we have scanned your images, you will be able to send the Cloud link that we send you with your files to anyone else (no matter where in the world they are) to download the image files as well. They will be able to download them within 28 days before we delete them; instructions will be given that you can pass on.
If you have your own Cloud account (online file storage) it will mean you can upload your files to it and share them with anyone anywhere in the world. Otherwise there are a number of photo sharing sites available (e.g. Flickr or Google Photos) that you can upload your scanned images to and create online albums then share them with others.
We recommend Google Photos as it provides 15GB of free storage* and for the ease of being able to create and share online albums.
*accurate as at 18-Jan-22
If you have your own Cloud account (online file storage) it will mean you can upload your files to it and share them with anyone anywhere in the world. Otherwise there are a number of photo sharing sites available (e.g. Flickr or Google Photos) that you can upload your scanned images to and create online albums then share them with others.
We recommend Google Photos as it provides 15GB of free storage* and for the ease of being able to create and share online albums.
*accurate as at 18-Jan-22
Photo Restoration
Q. What sorts of improvements can you make to my photos?
See our Photo Restoration page for examples of the work we can do.
Q. How will I get my photos that I want restored to you?
If you have the original hard copy print, we prefer this to work from so that we can scan it to the optimal resolution for our restoration requirements. Otherwise, you can scan it to a high resolution (we will advise you first what resolution to scan to) and email it to us. If you only have a digital copy of your image, we can work from it, but depending on the resolution of the scan it may limit what size you can print your restored image to.
Q. Can you restore my photos so that they’re suitable for enlarging?
This depends on the size of your original image. If your image is 6x4” or larger, then we will be able to produce a scan that you can enlarge to at least A4. Smaller images (such as passport photos) may be limited to smaller print sizes.
Q. How long will it take to do the work?
Turn around time for our restoration service is dependent on the level of work required to restore your image and who's ahead of you in the queue. An indication of how long it will take will be given once we have seen your image, but is not likely to exceed 4 weeks.
Q. How much is it likely to cost? Can you provide a quote first for the work?
We price our restoration work on a three tier level (light, medium, heavy) depending on the amount of work required. See our Photo Restoration page for details.
Note: Prices for each level are a guide only and may vary depending on the level of work required. Please complete a Free Quote Form so we can firm up a price for you.
Note: Prices for each level are a guide only and may vary depending on the level of work required. Please complete a Free Quote Form so we can firm up a price for you.
Still got questions not answered above? CONTACT US today