Digitize · 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.
What do the confidence labels mean?
- exact published price: Taken directly from the provider's current published price.
- estimated published price: Bounded from official pages where an exact figure isn't listed.
- partial estimate: Some fees (e.g. shipping or checkout-only charges) aren't fully confirmed.
- quote required: The provider doesn't publish enough to compute a confident total.
- conflicting sources: Official surfaces disagree — verify on the provider's site before ordering.
Frequently 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.