Preserve Your Tapes for Generations
VHS, Hi8, Mini DV, Pro Formats & More
Relive your cherished memories by digitizing your old tapes with Scan5’s expert video transfer services in Chicago.
Scan5's video manager, Michael J. Gerrity, has been transferring tapes professionally for over 15 years. Detailed notes will be provided if any quality issues are detected.
We do not charge for any transfer that cannot be reasonably enjoyed due to natural deterioration. If a tape is blank or contains only recorded TV shows, there is only a small fee for searching the tape for home movies. We've got your back!
Formats We Digitize
We specialize in converting VHS to digital, along with a wide variety of other video tape formats.
VHS and VHS-C to digital
Mini DV to digital
Hi8 / Video8 / Digital8 to digital
Betamax to digital
Betacam to digital
U-Matic 3/4 inch to digital
DVCAM to digital
DigiBeta to digital
PAL & SECAM Formats
S-VHS to digital
3 Quality Options
1.) Standard Transfer: Standard Quality MP4
-Smaller file sizes for convenient storage
-Comparable to DVD quality
-Minor compression artifacts may be visible
Best for: Everyday viewing, sharing, and general use
2.) High Quality Transfer: High Quality MP4
-No visible loss of detail compared to the original transfer
-Smooth motion and clean edges
-Larger files than Standard, with improved fidelity
Best for: Customers who want the best image without compromise
3.) Archival / Editing: Master Quality .MOV -ProRes, Avid DNx, CineForm, etc.
-A professional-grade master designed for editing
-Minimal compression to preserve all captured detail
-Very large file sizes
Best for: Editors, filmmakers, archivists, and anyone planning future restoration or post-production work
Repairing Damaged Tapes
If your tape's case or ribbon is damaged, don’t worry. We can usually repair them in-house to ensure the best possible outcome.
Tape Repair and Mold:
Fixing broken cassettes and removing mold when present.
Custom Editing:
Need your footage organized or trimmed? We’ll help tell your story.
Choose the Best Way to Preserve Your Memories
Once your physical items are digitized, you have a few options for how to store them. While all methods are secure, cloud hosting offers the ultimate flexibility and peace of mind.
Cloud Hosting
(FREE Downloads!)
USB or HDD
Trusted by Families and Institutions
We’ve worked with families and institutions to help preserve decades of important history.
Family Home Movies
We transfer home movies all day, every day. Bring us your collection and rest easy knowing your home movies are safe in the cloud.
Archival Projects
Have 100s or 1000s of tapes? We can handle a large volume of tapes and offer competitive turnaround and pricing.
Tape Digitizing FAQ:
VHS, Mini DV, Hi8, Betacam & More
We transfer VHS to digital and support a wide range of tape formats, including
- VHS
- VHS-C
- Hi8, Digital8, Video8
- Mini DV
- PAL and SECAM Formats
- Betamax
- U-Matic 3/4 inch
- Betacam
- S-VHS
- DVCAM
- DigiBeta
If your tape format isn’t listed please contact us.
Tapes degrade over time due to exposure to heat, humidity, and wear from playback. This degradation leads to a loss of picture quality, sound distortion, and unwatchable footage. Digitizing now ensures your memories are preserved before they’re lost forever.
Yes, we can usually repair broken cassette cases and torn ribbons. Our goal is to ensure the best possible outcome during the conversion process. We can remove mold from VHS, Hi8, and U-Matic tapes. We recommend sending other formats to Pacific Video Repair for this type of specialty restoration.
We just charge a small fee rather than the normal transfer rate for any tapes that are blank or contain only copyrighted material. We will search the entire tape for home movies and if none are found, we will provide notes describing the contents of the tape. For example: "Tape #005 is blank" or "Tape #018 only contains cartoons".
You can choose from:
- Cloud Hosting: Access your videos anytime, anywhere. Cloud storage ensures automatic backups and easy sharing with family and friends.
- USB or External Hard Drive: Store your files locally for easy access and compatibility with your devices.
- DVD: Yes, we can still make them!
We offer high-quality .mp4 files and optional ProRes .mov files. Learn more at our detailed blog post here.
You have several convenient options to get your tapes to us:
- Drop Off: Visit our local office for a personal handoff.
- Courier Pick Up: We can arrange a secure courier to collect your tapes.
- UPS Shipping: Use our prepaid UPS shipping service, and we’ll notify you when your tapes arrive.
Most projects take 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the size of the order. Rush service may be available for select projects. Contact us to discuss.
Yes, we offer basic custom editing services, such as trimming, organizing, and merging footage. Contact us to discuss.
Our cloud storage is highly secure, utilizing industry-standard encryption to protect your files. Sharing is entirely optional, and you have control over who can access your content.
Our technicians use professional-grade equipment to handle all media with care. Each item is labeled and tracked throughout the entire process to ensure it’s returned to you in the same condition.
Yes, we provide bulk discounts for larger collections. Contact us with the size and details of your project, and we’ll provide a custom quote.
Your Privacy Is Our Priority
Your memories are personal, and we treat them with care. We guarantee your items will be handled securely and privately, and never shared with third parties.
Ready to Get Started?
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Let Scan5 digitize your collection now.
