Video tape conversions to DVD
VCR and camcorder video tape transfer to DVD services. High encode rate, high quality edited video transfers.
High quality for the right price, done right the first time.
Transfer of VHS, VHS-C, SVHS, Hi8, 8mm or Video8, Digital8, Mini-DV and UMatic to DVD in either PAL or NTSC
“Overall great service! We were able to transfer all of our family videos that we thought for sure we would never see again! The quality of service and the end product far exceeded my expectations. Thank you for all your work and advice; we now have invaluable family memories at the tip of our fingers!”
— Monique C.Video to DVD conversion details
- Analog VCR cassettes—VHS, VHS-C, S-VHS, Hi8, Video8, U-matic to DVD
- Camcorder digital cassettes—Digital8, Mini-DV to DVD
- High MPEG-2 encoding rate to maintain quality of original recording
- PAL to NTSC or NTSC to PAL scan rate conversions to DVD
- NTSC, PAL and SECAM videotape conversions
- Free removal of obvious non-relevant video material
- Free editing to cleanup video tracks
- Free image stabilization and audio EQ - where possible
- Optional publishing to long life Archival Gold DVD media
- Optional AVI DV or MAC Quicktime DV file creation—free dump to your hard drive
- VHS cartridge and media cleaning services for mold and mildew buildup
We convert the most popular analog and digital camcorder and VCR video tape formats to DVD. Our video to DVD transfer service includes home movie conversion of the older VHS, SVHS, VHS-C, SVHS-C and U-Matic videotape types to DVD, followed by the smaller more recent camcorder size video cassettes like Video8 (sometimes called 8mm), Hi8, Digital8 and Mini-DV videotapes. We support digital video conversions in either NTSC (North American) or PAL (European) broadcast standard formats.
All of your videotapes are handled with care while the video conversion to DVD process and post-production work are underway. Your digitized videos will always be encoded at a higher than standard rate to ensure that you get the best results your video tapes can offer, without the contribution of unnecessary compression artifacts and video noise byproducts that would certainly be introduced at lower encode rates. We would rather provide you with more DVD disks than give you poor quality.
As an additional benefit and at no extra cost, we will edit out those annoying blue screens, very poor video segments and long stretches of nothing—like those moments of forgetting to turn off your camera. Our aim is to provide watchable and entertaining video rather than include useless footage on your newly minted DVD disc(s). The final word is that you can expect professional grade results and attention to detail at competitive prices when having HomeDVD convert your videotapes to DVD. VHS to DVD transfers at it's best.
If our website does not answer all of your questions, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
How much it costs
We charge $19.95 per hour of video or less (VHS, Hi8, 8mm, Digital8, MiniDV, VHS-C), minimum $19.95 per cassette. U-matic is $49.95 per hour of video. Costs are pro-rated per hour of video after minimums have been met.
There is a minimum of $45.00 per transfer job.
Transfers involving foreign formats (PAL/SECAM) incur an additional cost of $5.00/hr of video.
VHS
S-VHS
NTSC/PAL
VHSC
S-VHSC
NTSC/PAL
Hi8
8mm/Video8
Digital8
NTSC/PAL
MiniDV
NTSC/PAL
Important options
TV Playable DVD's on Gold
add $7.00 / disc
Instead of using standard DVD-R discs as your playable media, we can burn your project onto Archival Gold discs. These discs are the latest in archival quality media and use 24 karat gold as the reflective layer, offering maximum resistance to chemical breakdown—one of the major causes of disc failure.
DV Files on Hard Drive
Your video tapes can be captured as DV AVI Type 2 files and transferred to a hard disk (in either Windows or Mac DV format). These DV files can be used as video source material ready for editing in your NLE of choice.
Options:
- Provide DV files on hard disk only (no TV playable DVD's): no extra charge
- Provide both DV files on hard disk and standard TV playable DVD's: add $5.00 per hour
To complete this option, you can purchase a hard disk from our web shop, or provide a spare hard disk you already own.
DV Files on Gold
Your video tapes can be captured as DV AVI Type 2 files and transferred to archival grade gold DVD's (in either Windows or Mac DV format). These DV files can be used as video source material ready for editing in your NLE of choice.
Options:
- Provide DV files on hard disk only (no TV playable DVD's): no extra charge
- Provide both DV files on Gold disks and standard TV playable DVD's: add $7.00 per DV disk
Archival Gold discs are the latest in archival quality media and use 24 karat gold as the reflective layer, offering maximum resistance to chemical breakdown—one of the major causes of disc failure.
MPEG2 Files on Hard Disk
We can provide the original unauthored ISO-MPEG2 DVD compliant files that are generated when your video tapes are first captured. These MPEG2 files can be used for very simple cut & re-arrange editing. For more advanced editing, consider DV files.
Options:
- Provide MPEG2 files on hard disk only (no TV playable DVDs): no extra charge
- Provide both MPEG2 files on hard disk and standard TV playable DVD's: no extra charge
MPEG2 Files on Gold
We can provide the original unauthored ISO-MPEG2 DVD compliant files that were generated when your video tapes were captured. These MPEG2 files can be used for very simple cut & re-arrange editing. For more advanced editing, consider DV files.
Options:
- Provide MPEG2 files on Gold DVD-R only (no TV playable DVDs): add $7 per MPEG disk
- Provide both MPEG2 files on Gold DVD-R disk and standard TV playable DVD's: add $7 per MPEG disk
Archival Gold discs are the latest in archival quality media and use 24 karat gold as the reflective layer, offering maximum resistance to chemical breakdown -- one of the major causes of disc failure.
VHS tape Cleaning
add $10.00 / tape
Our cleaning process removes dust, mold and airborne contaminants from dirty VHS videotapes, which helps eliminate video snow and poor audio sound. This service only applies to VHS category videotapes.
The $10.00 charge applies only to orders that include a transfer service. Cleaning on its own is $20.00 per cassette.
Extra Copies
add $9.95 / disc
Each extra copy is fully packaged just like the one included with your order. If you would prefer to have the copies burned onto Archival Gold DVD-R discs rather than standard DVD-R discs, add another $7.00 per disc.
PAL/SECAM Formats
Add $5.00 per hour of video
For any videotapes or DVD's involving foreign format processing such as PAL and SECAM, an additional $5.00 per hour of video applies.
How long it takes
An initial baseline of two (2) weeks applies to all video tape orders of a single tape cassette. Add one day for each additional video tape cassette. The actual delivery date can be narrowed down when we discuss your order details. For rush orders (less than 7 days), expect a 25% surcharge on the value of the entire order.
Payment and shipping options
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Interac. Cash and cheques accepted on location only.
Shipping methods include UPS, FedEx and Canada Post. Our shipping kit service is designed with UPS as the carrier.
What you get from your video transfer
Corrected Video
All videos we receive are image stabilized and audio equalized to ensure the product you get back is as clear and clean as possible.
Image Stabilzation
Professional Artwork and Packaging
Our system automatically extracts 20 images** at equally spaced time intervals from your video and publishes them directly onto the top surface of your DVD disc. Likewise, these same pictures appear in your DVD menu (numbered correspondingly) so you can easily choose the scene you would like to view.
**Note: Images cannot be published on Archival Gold DVD's due to non-printable surface for color images.
Your DVD's will be packaged in professional archival grade media cases.
DVD Menu Screen
DVD Disk Surface
Satisfaction guarantee
Our ultimate goal is to make sure that you're happy with your home videos that we capture in time for you—making sure that you don't lose precious memories to the normal decay of videotape.
If you have problems with your DVD's, we will make every attempt to resolve them. Simply send us your DVD's with a note explaining the problem. If it has been determined that the problem originates with HomeDVD, we will do our utmost to resolve it at no charge to you (we'll also pay for shipping).