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After payment, how long does it take to get my items back and files sent to me?
Average time is currently 2-3 weeks.
Longer if repairs, cleaning or extra preservation efforts of any kind are needed. Larger amounts of media to be worked with will increase the time frame as well.
Longer if repairs, cleaning or extra preservation efforts of any kind are needed. Larger amounts of media to be worked with will increase the time frame as well.
Can you transfer Super VHS/S-VHS or BetaMax?
No, not currently.My video cassettes are dirty/damaged/ have mold growing in it. Will you still work with it? Can anything be done?
This is on a case by case basis.
- Mold -- is usually a lost cause, but I am looking into some options for a possible solution for cassettes that suffer from it.
- Dirty/Dusty -- If the media is extremely dirty/dusty/covered in dried stains, there is a cleaning fee of $40 per item. Most VHS cassettes I come across don't need that, but sometimes media isn't stored in dust or smoke free places, and it can damage the tapes further upon playback as well as the equipment I have in the studio.
- Broken VHS cassette shells -- have a possibility of being repaired by having the magnetic tape be placed into a new cassette/reel set up. This is extremely time consuming and delicate work for me to do. I will be offering this in a limited capacity soon.
- Severed/Torn Magnetic Tape VHS/VHS-C/Hi8/Video8 -- Some basic repair can be made to the magnetic tapes for temporary repairs to get them digitized. Damage incurred from any physical tearing or contact with other surfaces often compromises video and audio quality in affected areas.
- Broken/Moldy VHS-C/Hi8/Video8 cassettes -- There is no real feasible way to fix these. No reproduction shells are manufactured today, and the internals of these cassettes are a bit more complex and fragile compared to the relative simplicity of larger VHS cassettes.
What happens if my VHS/VHS-C/Video8/Hi8 Cassette breaks?
Even in the best of circumstances, accidental breakage can occur with age, wear and tear from just rewinding or viewing over the years, or even not having been played in some time. The simple fact is that these are media formats that were not meant to last longer than 15 to 25 years even in the best of circumstances or storage efforts.
I take extra effort to treat every cassette as if it were my own, and make sure that the playback and capture equipment I use is clean and working optimally so as to minimize chances of cassette failure.
IF a VHS cassette breaks, I will reach out immediately and let you know.
With VHS-C and Hi8/Video8 cassettes, repair is challenging and very time consuming since finding replacement parts for the cassettes isn't easy. The magnetic tapes in them are also from my experience, far more fragile as well. I may endeavor to provide repair for these as well at a later date, if possible.
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| More info and pricing coming soon! |
What size photos can be currently digitized?
- 8"x10" and smaller.
Is there a minimum number of photos for service order placement?
More detail information and an infographic will be added soon! Please feel free to use the form on the Contact Page if you have more questions. Here are the basic rates and minimums are as follows:
- Photo Scans by themselves - 20 plus photos minimum per order
- Photo Scans ordered with Video Transfer Service - no minimum number of photos per order
In what file format are the digitized images saved?
- JPEG/JPG (300dpi)
What causes photos to fade or discolor?
Photos degrade in albums due to acidic materials used during manufacturing (glue,
cheap paper, plastic) releasing chemicals, environmental factors (light, heat,
humidity), and poor construction, especially in older albums, leading to yellowing, fading, sticking, and brittleness by breaking down
the emulsion and paper fibers. Here are some specific aspects to be aware about:
Photo Album Causes:
- Magnetic Albums: The adhesive, cardboard, and plastic sleeves release acids and gases that stain, stick to, and damage prints.
- Acidic Materials: Cheap paper, glues, and tapes used in many albums contain acids (like lignin) and chemicals that eat away at the photo, causing yellowing or browning.
- Plastic Sleeves: Trapped moisture, creasing, or off-gassing from the plastic can harm the photo's surface.
Environmental Factors:
- Light (UV): Ultraviolet light from sun or fluorescent bulbs causes fading and discoloration.
- Heat & Humidity: High temperatures and humidity speed up chemical reactions, leading to cracking, brittleness, or mold growth.
- Air Pollutants: Ozone and other chemicals in the air can react with photo dyes, causing fading.
What actions to take to preserve your photos:
- Digitize: Scan your photos to create permanent digital backups.
- Use Archival Albums: Store photos in acid-free, lignin-free albums with polypropylene sleeves or use photo corners on archival paper.
- Store Properly: Keep photos in a cool, dark, dry place away from extreme temperatures and light.
