Lost? This page is about the early video cassette format
known as VCR. If this isn't what you are looking for, go to video99.co.uk
to find the right kind of tape.
The first really successful video cassettes were of the VCR type, way back in
1972, and the similar VCR-LP format was in use until the early 1980's.
Often these were known by the video recorder model numbers N1500 or N1700, but
the early machines may be numbered N1501, N1502 and the later ones N1701 or
N1702 or similar numbers. A further development known as SVR, was marketed for a very short time by ITT
and Grundig in 1979, and I now even cover this rare format.
The first
successful video cassette recorder from 1972.
These are square cassettes in which the tape starts at the bottom
and
winds its way to the top. Sometimes the format is known simply as
VCR,
and was also marketed by Dynatron, ITT, Grundig, Loewe, Pye and
Skantic. N1500 tapes run for up to one hour and N1700 tapes run
for up to
three hours, but neither recording will play in machines intended
for the other. A further development known as
SVR (Super Video Recording), was marketed for a very short time by ITT
and Grundig in 1979, and video99 is almost certainly the only transfer
company
also able to carry out these transfers. Tapes are
sometimes marked with both N1500 and N1700 recording times on
them. Tape
markings include VC15, VC30, VC60, LVC120, LVC180 or SVC3, SVC4 and are
usually branded
Philips, Agfa, ITT or BASF.
You have come to the right place for these transfers, www.video99.co.uk
is almost the only video transfer service in the world able to handle the very early Philips VCR
N1500 and VCR-LP N1700 and Grundig SVR tapes. The other UK based company charges £85 - £105 per
tape, and they can't handle all variants. Often you can't tell by looking at a tape, which of the three
variants it is, anyway www.video99.co.uk
is almost certainly the only video to DVD service in the world capable of
handling all three variants.
Early Philips
VCR N1500 and VCR-LP N1700 tapes can be copied to DVD.
I usually offer the one
service for VCR (N1500), later VCR-LP (N1700), and Grundig SVR tapes, with basic
menus. Priced at £40 per
tape, with extra copies (highly recommended) at
just £3.50 each. Note that N1500 or N1700 tapes which
have been badly stored are likely to be very difficult, occasionally impossible,
to recover. I do however "go the extra mile" and have
constructed a special tape polishing rig just for working difficult tapes on
this format, and I also have a tape baking process. If a tape requires
such restoration, there may sometimes be a small charge to help towards time and
materials, but usually I waive this. If you do require Deluxe
Menu transfers for this format, just ask.
The
exceptionally rare Grundig SVR (SVR4004) format is supported by video99.co.uk
How
to request a VCR (N1500/N1700/SVR) video transfer.
We have a new and
easy order page, just select what kind of tapes you have and supply your
details. If for any reason you get stuck filling out the form, just email me and I'll
help you personally. It's a personal service I offer, not like some
of the big video editing houses. These old recordings sometimes require particular personal attention,
just let me know of any particular requirements. Usually I transfer to
video-DVD but options include transfer to computer file, miniDV tape, DVD-Rom and more,
just ask.
If you want your tapes back after you have
the DVD copies (recommended):
Not
everyone
needs their tapes returned once they have the DVDs, but if you do,
please remember to include postage costs. For a single video tape in
the UK, this is just
£3.50. For larger quantities, and tapes from outside the UK, I will let
you know.
Ideally can you ensure you send the tapes in a package which is
sufficiently large and robust for me to use to send back your original
tapes. Usually I will send the DVDs to you ahead of returning your
tapes, then when you've confirmed you are happy with the
DVDs, I will return your tapes. This way I can help you further if
necessary - for example you can now see you want a different part of a
tape transferred on its own or you want extra copies.
If you have a dead N1500, N1502 or N1512 video
recorder that you don't require, please email me
because I'm always looking for spares for these.
TESTIMONIALS
Some previous testimonials for www.video99.co.uk
N1500/N1700/SVR video transfers
"Hi Colin
I couldn't believe the high quality of the sound and vision on the DVDs
you did for me. Those Phillips tapes dated back to the mid
seventies, and I truly doubted whether you'd be able to rescue anything
at all, let alone get it to such a high standard and in double quick
time, too. When I sent those ten videos to you I saw it as a
gamble, and feared that I would be wasting my money, when in fact it's
the best value for money possible. I shall certainly spread the
word of your expertise far and wide. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Remember "Born With A Smile On My Face"? N1500 to DVD, 27.11.11
Hi! Got it yesterday and
have read the whole DVD. Amazing quality considering the age!
Thanks! Jonathan " N1500 tape restored and run to DVD, no charge for tape restoration. 08.01.12
"Colin, This to let you know this morning we received
the dvd you made for us, starting from the 33 years old SVR tape we
sent you. It plays very good on our equipment. We feared its content
was lost after so many years, so we were very pleased to see the
result. You really did a good job, and we will recommend you to all our
friends in case they need to transfer their old tapes to dvd!
" SVR tape to DVD for customer in Belgium, 10.11.11
"I am absolutely delighted with the DVD video99 have made
for me from a video tape which was over 30 years old and not in the
best of condition. The quality of both the video transfer and video99’s
service were outstanding: within a week of my sending this old and
unplayable tape I had a set of DVDs returned to me. Now, my friends and
I can see our young selves on a TV show in which we appeared all those
years ago, along with some our number now sadly departed. It’s a real
window into the past: treasured memories revived. There is no price you
can put on that. Thank you Colin." N1500 tape restored and run to
DVD, 19.10.11
"Hi Colin, DVD’s arrived last week and I am so thrilled with the
results. How you managed to bring back to life memories of my TV show recorded
in 1979, considering the tapes I sent to you were dinosaurs, I will never
know! Thank you so much. It meant so much to me. All my enquiries to you were
promptly answered which I really appreciated and receiving the DVD’s so
quickly is another reason that I would not hesitate to recommend you to all my
friends, family and colleagues. Well done for giving such an excellent and
professional service which sadly one doesn’t find often today. Amanda"
N1500 and Umatic tapes to DVD 16.06.11
"Video99 not only did a great job recovering the family memories on our
28 year old N1500 tapes, they also did so in a very curteous and efficient
manner. Fantastic personable service and high quality, Video99 definitely
deserve all the positive testimonials we read before making our order! Cheers,
Tobias" N1500 tapes to DVD for customer in Sweden. 05.04.11
"Hello Colin, Thew DVDs arrived safely today. Have just played it through
and it's first rate. Thank you so much for the care and expertise you showed
in producing it also for the swiuftness with which the whole operation was
conducted. Regards, Gareth" N1500 to DVD, gave very good results.
"Excellent: * Communications * Quality *
Service Highly recommended! John
Hofner. Thanks again, John [the ageing magician]" N1500 tape from a
magician's performances on Tyne Tees Television in the 1970's. 11.02.11
"Dear Colin, I receives the Video and played on my DVD recorder very well
, the quality is good . Thanks for the copy print cd . Chaniotakis"
N1500 tape restored (was mouldy) and run to DVD for customer in Belgium.
01.02.11
"Just to say the DVD has arrived and considering the age and format of
the tape you have done a remarkable job. Happy to recommend your service to
any one wishing a similar transfer" N1700 to DVD, quite a poor tape
restored to give good results.
"Dear Mr McCormick, My son-in law recently gave me one of the best
surprises of my life and I would like thank you for your part in it, as I
believe you transfered that ancient video casette of mine onto DVD. The video
contained much treasured material from some of my concerts recorded in the
1970's and I have been told that no one on this planet could transfer it to
DVD as the original equipment do not exist anymore. Fortunately he would not
accept this and, through the internet, contacted you, miles away, in Plymouth.
And now, through your expertise, I am able to relive those precious moments in
my career when I and my voice were much younger . Thank you so much, you have
no idea just how happy this is making me. Best wishes from Cape Town, South
Africa, Sincerely, Margaretha" N1500 tape to DVD for customer in
South Africa. 15.10.10
"Colin, Sorry to only get back to you now - DVD was excellent, better
than we hoped it could be. Be sure you have really added something special to
a reunion for a bunch of 40 somethings and on their behalf can I say a really
big thank you for making the effort to get the project completed in one day,
especially as you were busy at the time and still managed to make a 400 odd
mile trip for the original tape possible in just a few days." N1500
tape received on Thursday morning, repaired, run to DVD and sent out same day,
with the customer on Friday morning. 24.09.10
"Dear Colin, I have received back the DVD copies taken from my 42 year
old Phillips N1500 tapes. They are excellent and I am delighted with the
results. I have to confess that after I sent them to one of your competitors
north of the border, I really thought that I would never see either DVDs or
the original tapes again. It took nearly two months to get the tapes back
after they, having promised they could transfer the tapes, then couldn't. But
within a few days of dispatching them to you, you were able to come up with
results. I am even more impressed when you reported that the original tapes
were covered in mould as a result of being stored in a damp environment. Thank
you so much for achieving what you did and I will recomment you to my
friends." N1500 (then Betacam) to DVD. We all know who they
are! 17.08.10
"Hi Colin, DVD arrived yesterday and the result
is superb. An old Phillips 1500 tape from 1976 and a TV performance
that I was involved with brought back to life and I only sent the tape
four days ago. Many thanks, I will always recomend you.
Paul"
"Hi Colin, All arrived safely. Thanks for your rapid turnround and
excellent service and quality copying. I wouldn't hesitate to highly
recommend you. Thanks once again. Roy" VCR-LP (N1700) tape
to DVD. 06.06.10
"Dear Colin, Thank you for the DVD transfers received in my post
today from a very old cassette copy of a BBC television recording I made
with my guitar performance in 1976. Quite honestly, I had given up all hope
of ever enjoying the recording again. Not only did you perfectly edit and
fade the damaged area's but retained the sound quality and improved the
finished result with special care and attention to detail. As a professional
musician can I say in my opinion your workmanship is excellent and I would
not hesitate to recommend Video99. With best regards, John
Anthony" N1500 to DVD with some editing, 10.04.10.
"Colin Many thanks. The DVD arrived on Monday morning and I have been
able to play it this evening. The quality is not bad is it for such a
vintage tape. It was good to see all the old, and in some cases departed,
faces. It's amazing to think it's 30 years ago - during which time the tape
was never played at all. I was a bit worried that the tape might be in a bad
state after those 30 years but it was great to find someone who had the
equipment and the care to do the conversion... Thank you very much for
an excellent service - from the response to my original query to the very
rapid conversion of the tape the whole process was completed in 5 days. We
are very pleased with the result - so beware I might be tempted to get out
all my old Philips 2000 tapes out of the loft!!!" N1500 tape to
DVD 17.03.10
"I would like to recommend video99 to every one. I found a tape 40
years old and video99 has successfully Transferred the tape on DVD Which has
brought back sentimental memories.with a 4 day turn around. I found the
service very professional and very quick I would mark their service
10/10." VC-60 tape to DVD, included tape restoration and editing
in price, 26.02.10
"Hello Colin Just wanted to let you know that the DVD was a great
success, thank you very much! My husband was so sure that it couldn't be
done. Thank you once again. Will pass the word on Regards Sandra"
N1500 tape supplied by the BBC in the early 1970's, run to DVD in time for
Christmas. 28.12.09
"Thanks, Colin I've received and played the DVD. Thank you for
restoring it as well as you have. My 1970s appearance will make our
grandchildren smile! Regards Barry" N1500 tape to DVD, 02.12.09
The following testimonial was a number of N1500 format tapes of early Roxy
Music and Bryan Ferry recordings, which were transferred to DVD and hard
disk on his behalf, September 2009, names used with permission:
Colin, I also wanted to say that we are
all very happy with the quality of the transfer and it has been a
pleasure for me to work with you. It is very rare to find such a
personal and efficient service for such an affordable price. I will
be very happy to recommend your services to others. I wish you all
the best and many thanks again for your hard work ! Studio
One, Bryan Ferry's office.
"Colin, You've done an excellent job! The quality of the transfer is
far better than I'd imagined would be possible after 30 years hidden in a
loft. Many thanks, Chris" VC-45 N1500 format from 1976, tape put
to DVD. A challenging tape which gave very good results in the
end. 24.08.09
"Colin, Received in the post whilst away on holiday. Watched it
already - very happy indeed with it. Still think 30 years later I was
'robbed' in the quiz. thanks again Andy" An episode of "Screen
Test" from 1979, my customer was a contestant. 31.05.09.
"Got the DVDs today – thanks very much. I’m amazed you got such
good material off them. Sinead" Two N1500 formats transferred to
DVD (one of which required extensive restoration) for a UK television channel. 26.03.09
"I am very pleased to have had these tapes transferred on to DVD, and
congratulate you on your very professional service. Best Wishes,
Tim" Two N1500 tapes put to DVD and also DV-AVI files on
DVD-Rom. Also a selection of N1700 tape reviewed in case they
contained anything useful (no charge for this). 08/04/09
"Dear Colin DVDs arrived safely and play fine. That colour wobble at
the top of the screen doesn't do much harm and the quality in general is in
fact better than I'd hoped for. Pity it cuts out at the end, of course - but
as you know, I suspected as much. Anyway, thank you so much for doing such
an excellent job on my scruffy old VCR tape. I was also impressed by the
speed of the whole operation and the promptness with which you answered my
questions - I felt that I was dealing with someone who understood the
problems both from a technical and a human standpoint. These ancient videos
are precious to the people involved in them, and you obviously recognise
that. Thank you again, All best wishes, Colin". N1500 recording
to DVD, alas the tape was shorter than the programme! 23.03.09.
"Dear Colin Just got back from holiday and played the DVD. I am
really thrilled with it, was much better than I could have hoped for.
Thanks for all your help Regards Mandy" South African N1500
recording to DVD. 18.02.09
"I contacted Colin after I found his website through google, having
had an ancient VC-60 tape with an television interview of my dad, that I've
never seen, gathering dust for probably more than 20 years. I had given up
hope of ever finding a way to convert this to a modern format and preserve
his treasured memory for posterity, but luckily for me Colin specializes at
vintage and rare equipment, and converted it to DVD and even went as far as
grabbing beautifull screenshots, all in a very tight deadline. Not only was
his service professional, speedy and accomodating but also at an incredibly
modest price, I cannot recommend him highly enough. To see my dads eyes
light up with pride at forgotten achievements will be priceless."
N1500 to DVD, 08.12.08
"Colin Many thanks for copying my video tapes which were recorded in
1984 in the old Phillips format and were of great sentimental value. I
received the DVDs today and we are more than pleased with the result and
very impressed by your speedy and efficient service. With Best Wishes
Michael" N1700 VCR-LP recordings to DVD. 28.10.08
"Hi Colin, Apologises for such a late reply! Both DVD's were
absolutley fantastic to watch...my God we laughed so much there were tears
running down all our faces! It was such a fantastic surprise for my Dad as
he didn't have a clue, the DVD's really made his 60th Birthday an even more
special one than any others by bringing back such good memories that were
such and still are a big part of his youth and life and also for all his
family (especially his duaghters) see our own Dad be famous!!! So cool! Both
of the DVD's were viewable and the one that had the tracking problem at the
beginning seem to get much better thorughout the film. I am so grateful for
all your hard work and what a smashing job you have done to restore them and
to put them onto DVD. I am so pleased that my sisters and I were able to
make our Dad's 60th one to remember!! Thank you so much Natalie P.S If I get
any more old style videos, I'll be coming straight to you."
VC-60 and VC-45 tapes (N1500 format) to DVD. One had a recording
defect but was still viewable, 26/08/08.
"Hi Colin received DVDs to-day excellent, thank you very much kind
regards David" SVR tape to DVD, 12/08/08. Tape looked like an SVR
recording but was actually N1500 (since we cover them all, that is no
problem).
"DVD's arrived and in good working order, Colin. Thanks for the
service, which was prompt, professional and reasonably priced. Will be in
touch with further material to transfer. Cheers, Edward." VCR
N1500 format tape transferred to DVD. 07/08/08.
"From a dusty tape which followed me around for more than 25 years, I
am so thrilled with the result of your transfers. Regards Simon"
Tape with mixed N1500 and N1700 format recordings on it, recovered to
DVD. 02.06.08
"Hi! The DVD has arrived and I must say that I am very impressed with
the way you helped us. Fast, great quality and at a good price! Thanks
again! Fredrik" N1700 VCR-LP tapes from Sweden, 20/03/08.
Required some restoration, carried out at no charge.
"DVDs arrived March 13, thanks for a good job. Tomorrow our archives
assistant will carry a new batch to the post office. Regards, Bo"
Part of an ongoing job to transfer a large amount of N1500 VCR tapes to DVD
and DV-AVI files on computer, for the Gothenburg City Archives in
Sweden. March 2008.
"Colin Tape received safely today and viewed. Quality OK - you did a
great job. Regards John" VC-60 tape to DVD. 12.03.08.
"I've checked the discs and they are fine. Many thanks for doing a
great job transfering my difficult and ancient N1500 video tapes for Zurich
University. I am happy to recommend your services. Regards Pete - Reynolds
Mastering." Three VCR tapes which really didn't want to play,
given a lot of attention and restored to working order, transferred to
DVD. No extra charge for restoration (I usually include it within the
price). 08/12/07
"They have arrived! Despite the obvious problems brought about by
their age (they were recorded in 1980/1981) we are having a most nostalgic
evening of wonderful memories. The remaining (read: living) cast members are
in for a real treat when we have them around for a “showing”. Thank you
so much, it was certainly worth it. With sincere thanks Ray &
Jenny" 24.10.07 Two VCR-LP N1700 tapes from Australia, copied to
DVD.
"Colin, I have received the DVD's and after running through them I am
pleased to say that I am delighted with the results. The tapes are rather
special to me because I was at the BBC recordings of the shows. Considering
that the tapes are 30 years old and that the original Philips format was
never very reliable even then ( my machine was very temperamental and I gave
up on it as soon as the Betamax machines appeared ) it is marvellous to be
able to recover the content in such quality. I kept these two tapes as I
could not bring myself to dispose of them. I'm glad I didn't now. Thank you
very much for your excellent work, and I will certainly recommend your
service to anyone needing media transfers. Best wishes, Neil."
Two N1500 tapes copied to DVD, from 1976-1977, results were really very
good. 14.08.07
"Hi Colin Indeed I did receive the DVD’s, my apologies for not
getting back to you sooner. I have to say I am more than impressed with the
quality of the transfer you performed for me, and my family and I are now
able to enjoy watching what we thought we’d never be able to see again.
Many thanks for your outstanding works. You have managed to preserve an
important part of our family history and you have mine and my family’s
deepest gratitude. Is it possible to make additional copies of the DVD’s?
My brother and sister now want a copy of their own! Regards
Gavin" Philips N1500 video to DVD. 31.05.07
"Thank you I have received the dvds. They are fine. The early news
items are fuzzy but the fashion report, which is what I am interested in, is
clear. Thank you for all your work. Claire B", "Tape
received. Thank you very much. Tremendous service I am very
pleased." A very poor condition Philips N1500 video tape copied
to DVD, quite good results in the end. 30.05.07
"Dear Colin, The DVD has arrived this morning! We have received an
envelop with two DVDs. The results are better than we hope, well done! My
parents are very happy and I'm very grateful to you. Thank you for all your
services. Best wishes, Francesc" N1500 (VCR format) tape from
Spain. 21.04.07
Hi Colin I have received my Video-DVD transfer
and have viewed it on my DVD player. Thanks very much for doing this
transfer for me. It has brought to life a memory of an event thirty years
ago. I am very impresssed with the quality of your service. You were willing
to accept a task that others would not touch. You kept me informed whist you
were doing it and have produced a transfer of a clarity that I only dared to
hope for considering the age of the tape. I will definitely recommend
www.video99 .co. uk to people I meet wising to transfer video to DVD.
Regards Nigel" N1500 (circa 1976) transferred to DVD.
Video99.co.uk is almost the only video transfer service for these ancient
tapes. 06.01.07
"For about the past 16 years on and off, I
have been searching for a company who could transfer an old Phillips tape
for me as I have not seen it since 1979. Every company I have approached
told me they could not do it. I found you through a quick Google
search very recently and was delighted when I e-mailed you and you said you
could do it. The tape was posted to you on the Thursday and on
Saturday you e-mailed me to say everything was looking good. I got home from
work on Monday to find the DVD through the letter box. I could not believe
the speed in which you did this. I watched the DVD last night and it was
superb quality. It brought back the most wonderful memories of when my
brother was on Jim'll Fix It in 1979, I was on the bean bags!!!! Your
service was absolutely 100%, I could not have asked for anything more from
you. I would certainly recommend you without hesitation. Once again,
thank you so much for everything you have done. Kim "
Early Philips VCR tape was sent, found to be of the later VCR-LP N1700
format. Transferred to DVD with an extra copy, and tape returned.
03.10.06
"When I returned from London, your's was one
of the more interesting items delivered by the postman! The time
you've spent on restoring an old Philips videotape of mine from 1978 goes
way beyond good service!. The tape had got damp and the surface was flaking
off, so I expected you to say my video was far too old and damaged . But you
have tried every means to recover these images for me and wouldn't give up.
Because you kept thinking of "just one more thing to try", you've
finally succeeded in restoring most of that video onto a DVD - brilliant,
well-done.-Best wishes Mike, Norwich." Very poor condition N1700
VCR-LP tape, baked and polished using my specially constructed rigs.
"Thanks DVDs arrived safely and played boy
did I look young and fit not the old person I see in the mirror now. I
willbe passing your details on (email and website) to a colleague at work as
he has some tapes ..... Susan." Philips VCR-LP (N1700) to
DVD paid for in part by a non-working machine.
If you have any questions, just email
me and I'll reply promptly. Also see the video99.co.uk Questions
and Answers (FAQ) All material on
this web site is copyright www.video99.co.uk
and www.colin99.co.uk though trade
marks remain with the manufacturers.
The first
successful video cassette recorder from 1972.
Early Philips
VCR N1500 and VCR-LP N1700 tapes can be copied to DVD.
The
exceptionally rare Grundig SVR (SVR4004) format is supported by video99.co.uk
me and I'll reply promptly. Also see the video99.co.uk Questions
and Answers (FAQ) All material on
this web site is copyright www.video99.co.uk
and www.colin99.co.uk though trade
marks remain with the manufacturers.