Service guide
Best VHS digitization services
Compare a 10-tape basket while keeping missing fees and turnaround visible.
Read this pageDigitize · Video tapes
Video tapes
Compare the cost of digitizing VHS, S-VHS, VHS-C, S-VHS-C, Video8, Hi8, Digital8, MiniDV, DVCAM, Betamax, Betacam, and PAL/SECAM tapes across US mail-in services.
Why digitize video tapes?
Videotapes degrade with every year in storage — magnetic particles shed and playback machines are getting rarer. Digitizing turns fragile cassettes into files you can actually watch and back up.
How pricing works
Most services price videotapes per tape or in bundles regardless of what's recorded on them. A 30-minute tape usually costs the same as a 2-hour tape. Watch for separate charges for USB drives, DVDs, or cloud access, and for return shipping.
How to identify what you have
Match your cassettes to the pictures above. Full-size VHS and S-VHS are the largest. VHS-C/S-VHS-C, the Video-8/Hi-8/Digital-8 family, and MiniDV/DVCAM are all small camcorder tapes — check the printed label, since the shells look alike.
How accurate are these prices?
Most prices come straight from each provider's official, dated price pages, so they match what you'll be charged. When a provider only gives custom quotes, or a cost like shipping isn't fully published, we mark that total an estimate and tell you what to double-check. We never invent a number.
Guides, costs and comparisons
Use these pages to identify your media, understand pricing, or compare overlapping providers before calculating your collection.
Alternatives
Legacybox alternatives
Compare alternative services on the same 10-tape download order.
Read this pageCost guide
VHS digitization cost
Compare source-dated totals for 2, 10, and 20 VHS tapes.
Read this pagePractical guide
Identify old video tapes
Use labels, cassette size, and playback clues to identify the format.
Read this pagePractical guide
How to digitize VHS tapes
Choose a DIY capture route or service, inspect the tape, capture, verify, and back up.
Read this pagePractical guide
Download vs USB vs DVD
Choose a delivery option based on access, sharing, and backup needs.
Read this pageCost guide
Hi8 digitization cost
Compare current estimates for 1, 5, 10, and 20 Hi8 tapes with shipping gaps visible.
Read this pageProvider comparison
Legacybox vs iMemories
Compare the same video-tape baskets, delivery, and published turnaround.
Read this pageProvider comparison
Legacybox vs The Digitize Center
See how fixed-capacity kits behave at different collection sizes.
Read this pageProvider comparison
Legacybox vs Capture
Compare kit pricing with Capture's per-item model across the same tape baskets.
Read this pageProvider comparison
iMemories vs The Digitize Center
Compare same-basket video estimates and incomplete charges.
Read this pageFrequently asked questions
How much does it cost to digitize a VHS tape?
Across US mail-in services, per-tape pricing commonly lands in the $10–$25 range before shipping and delivery add-ons; bundle pricing can lower the per-tape cost at higher volumes. Enter your counts above for a normalized total.
Do they charge more for longer tapes?
Usually no. Most providers price per cassette regardless of recorded length, so a 2-hour tape typically costs the same as a 30-minute one.
Will I get my original tapes back?
Most services return originals, but some treat it as optional or an extra fee. The comparison shows each provider's stated originals-returned policy.
What format will my videos be delivered in?
Common options are digital download (MP4 files), a USB drive, DVDs, or cloud access. Pick your preference above; prices update to reflect delivery add-ons where they're published.