VHS tapes are familiar to us all. They never gave the best pictures to
be honest, and are starting to look very dated today. Furthermore the
tapes degrade with age, and if your precious recordings are left on VHS beyond
around 20 years, there is a real risk that the quality will suffer. In
extreme cases, the recordings may be lost forever. Also VHS is now an
obsolescent technology for which players will not be commonly available for much
longer. Time to move your important recordings to DVD!
A few full sized VHS camcorders were sold for a short time, but most VHS
camcorders were of the VHS-C (Compact) variety. The format never really
caught on, but in the late 1980's to early 1990's, a few manufacturers sold
camcorders of this type. If your old camcorder was JVC or Panasonic, it
would have probably have used the VHS-C format. A handful of other brands
used it for a short time too. VHS-C camcorders are occasionally still sold
today, often as kids toys. The thing people remember about the VHS-C
format is that you could play the tapes in a VHS video recorder using a
(sometimes temperamental) adaptor cassette.
VHS-C
tapes could be played back on a VHS video recorder with an adaptor.
S-VHS, or Super-VHS is a higher quality version of VHS using tapes of the
same size. Several camcorders of this type were sold, and often they gave
very good results. Smaller camcorders could use the S-VHS-C (or
Super-VHS-C) type of tape, though very few of these were sold.
I can transfer all of the above types of tape to DVD, using expensive NV-FS88
and NV-FS200 Panasonic S-VHS edit decks. This gives us HiFi stereo sound, and is
connected up using S-Video signals to get the best possible colour performance
from S-VHS recordings.
Transfers to DVD:
Basic Menu, £12: Up to 2:30 hours on one DVD, though I can extend
this a little if necessary, with top quality pictures and sound. The menus
are limited to just a title, but you get a chapter point every 5 minutes so it
is easy to move around the DVD. Extra copies of these DVDs cost just
£3.50 each and are recommended.
Deluxe Menu £18: Up to 1:30 hours on one DVD, with top quality
pictures and sound. Nice menu icons showing what is on that part of the
recording, and if you email me with titles I will put them on the DVD for you
too. I place the chapter breaks at points of interest or new
recordings. These menus look like professionally recorded DVD films.
Extra copies are very cheap, just £2.50 each, and well worth taking.
DVD-ROM £15: Up to 1:30 hours on one DVD-Rom in top quality
MPEG2 video files. If you have a lot of tapes, VHS to computer hard disk
files start from just £7 per hour.
If you have a recording made on equipment from USA or another country which
uses a different television system, I can do these too at no extra cost, just let
me know. Not all transfer companies can do this, and even if they can
they may not be able to recover the HiFi sound track, but we do it all. We
can even do strange requests like copy to S-VHS in NTSC, almost nothing is
beyond us.
Options include transfer to MPEG2 files, DV AVI format files on hard disk for larger
quantities of tapes (5 or more), transfer to miniDV or even DVCAM. Just email
me for details.
How
to request a VHS/SVHS video transfer.
We have a new and
easy order page, just select what kind of tapes you have and supply your
details. I will then confirm
the price, or best guess at the price, and let you know the address to send the
tapes. Some recordings 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 and more.
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. I understand that in many cases you will not be
able to tell how much material is on the original recordings.
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 £2.50 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.
Some recent testimonials for www.video99.co.uk
VHS and S-VHS video transfers
"Great communication, Great service and the result brilliant. Mouldy
tape to superb DVD recording. Saved from the Waste bin Thanks
Bobby" Mouldy VHS tape cleaned up and run to two DVDs.
13.05.10
"Colin Just a quick note to let you know that the DVDs arrived safely
in today's post. The quality is excellent and the cover design is first
class. May I take this opportunity of thanking you for providing such
exceptional service and I certainly know where to come if a similar service
is required in the future." VHS to DVD. 13.05.10
"Again I must thank Colin for transfering a camcorder tape over to
DVD, I had not even seen this tape before so imagine my surprise when I
watched my mother again talking on a DVD. A quick and fast service once
again. Philip." Damaged VHS-C tape repaired (no extra charge) and
run to DVD. 21.04.10
"Testamonial: Very fast reliable service, that was also great value.
Mr Fletcher, Leicester." 21.04.10
"Hi Colin, Once again many thanks for your excellent work in
repairing my torn VHS Camcorder tape and the transfer over on to DVD of
that, and the remainder of the set was superb and your service and
turnaround in less than 5 days was exceptional . My children and I will have
now a much more secure and longer lasting record of those early childhood
memories. Once again many thanks Terry" VHSC tape repaired and
transferred to DVD. 17.03.10
"I received our DVDs today and were very impressed at how quickly you
had done them, less than a week (good work). We sat and watched one of them,
it was great to see our kids when they were babies and to think they have
their own children now, and we are now grandparents. We hadn't seen any of
that footage for years because it was on Video tape, and are grateful we
found you so we could transfer them onto DVDs. We have some more tapes that
we would like you do for us at a later date, so we will be in touch. Regards
Mark." Several VHS tapes to DVD. 11.02.10
"Colin The discs arrived safely today, and are working perfectly,
they will enable my Mum to re-live some happy memories of holidays past. I
can't thank-you enough for the wonderful service provided, I have been kept
informed by email form start to finish, and I will have no hesitation in
recommending you to friends and family. Thanks again Ian" VHS-C
tapes to DVD, 01.02.10
"Thank you again for all your advice regarding the transfer of tapes
to DVDs. You have replied promptly to my e mails giving me help and advice
at every step. I was very pleased with the dvd's and impressed with your
very quick service. I will recommend you to all my friends and would not
hesitate to use your expertise again. Sue" VHS tapes to DVD, 29.01.10
"Dear Colin, The DVDs have arrived, and both of them play
successfully. Thank you for taking so much time and care with the chapter
points; it really makes the DVD a pleasure to watch, and a great improvement
on the original video. I am sure that I wouldn’t have received such
thorough and helpful assistance from a large commercial organisation, and
will be sure to recommend you to any friends or colleagues looking for this
service. Regards Elaine" VHS to DVD with special chapter point
instructions. 17.01.10
"Dear Colin, Thank you for the excellent and professionally produced
DVDs. My old VHS tapes would otherwise have been lost from my wife and
daughter forever – the replacements made great presents! In fact they say
that the quality of the DVD surpasses the original VHS thanks to your
processing. The quality of service I received was truly amazing. Many, many,
thanks from all of us. Chris." VHS tapes run to Deluxe Menu DVDs,
with digital noise reduction applied to improve the quality. 12.01.10
"I can warmly recommend this friendly service. My request was dealt
with with great efficiency throughout and a friendly email 'presence' to
answer my every query. Thanks again Colin. Patsy" VHS to DVD,
18.12.09
"Hi Colin Just to let you that the DVD’s turned up safely today and
have just tested them. Just wanted to thank you so much, the quality is
great and we can actually watch it now. You have most definitely made my mum’s
xmas, thank you so much for all of your work. We are really pleased with
them. Thanks again. Kind regards Jo." Very poor VHS tape, applied
digital restoration techniques to make a significant improvement to the
picture quality. 08.12.09
"The DVD's have safely arrived and appear to be working fine. Very
many thanks for your prompt attention in handling my transfers. The whole
transaction has been surprisingly smooth from start to finish and the end
result is fabulous. Thanks again. Paul" VHS tapes to DVD in boxes
for Christmasm 07.12.09
"DVDs have arrived safely. I am absolutely delighted with the quality
of the DVDs and your efficient & easy to use service. I will certainly
be recommending it & using it again myself." VHS tape was
recorded in the French SECAM television system, no extra charge for handling
that. 02.12.09
Customer asked "I gave them into a local company to put onto DVD, he
called to say that he cant do it as they are so old, he told me he only
copies exactly what is on the video he does not do any repairs or anything.
Would this be something that you could do?" I run the tape
successfully, and customer replied "Morning Colin, I received the DVD
on Saturday, I was extremely pleased with it I cant beleive you managed to
get the old vidoe onto a DVD it was excellant. Thank you again, I'll be
recommending you to any firends that might need video's put onto DVD. The
extra one will be a nice surprise for my mother in law's Xmas. Once again
thanks for a job well done. Jackie" Very worn VHS tape run to
DVD. 26.10.09.
"Hi Colin Your advice worked great. Thanks again for all you help.
Your customer service is way and beyond anything I have known in the past.
The quality of the conversion is much better than I expected. It was after
all a 15 year old cassette. I have managed to produce 30 minutes of
hightlights for a family DVD. Great stuff..... Many Thanks again david"
S-VHS tape to DV-AVI file spanned across several DVD-Rom disks.
20.10.09
"Colin, I was off yesterday but just popped in to pick up the DVD’s.
The initial “look” of the DVD covers was absolutely stunning, the whole
family was very impressed. I have checked the DVD’s and again, I have to
say they are excellent and we are totally satisfied with the work you have
done which is beyond our expectations. You have the entire family’s
gratitude for helping us preserve some very precious moments that are
special to all of us. Once again, many many thanks and confirm that it’s
ok for you to return the original VHSC’s at your convenience. Regards Prad"
Quantity of VHS-C tapes to DVD. 16.10.09
"Hi Colin Many thanks for the VHS to DVD conversion. Quick turnaround
and good value for money. Would definitely recommend you." VHS
tape to DV-AVI file on DVD-Rom and web upload Quicktime for immediate
viewing. 05/10/09
"As October 02 2009 was a milestone date I decided to convert a VHS
tape I had shot,it was my first effort with a camera eight years ago,the
result convinced me not to give up my day job,as I would never match the
work of Steven Spielberg. What Video 99 has done is quite amazing in the way
they have enhanced and transferred the tape to DVD. I expected to pay more
than their Standard charge because of the poor quality of the tape, but
Colin came back with no extra thanks we take the rough with the smooth.In
this day and age it really was a pleasant surprise to find a company who are
so efficient and understanding.I would recommend them to anyone. Mike"
Particularly challenging VHS tape transferred to DVD. 02.10.09
"Hi Colin I have received my DVD today and i was amazed at how well
you had managed to copy the Betamax video as it 24years old. I am well
impressed with it and would recommend you to anyone without hesitation. Kind
Regards Pam" Beta and S-VHS tapes put to one DVD. 25.08.09
"Hi Colin Just to say that I'm very impressed and pleased by your
speedy turnaround time bearing in mind the number of videos and camera
cassettes that I have sent in total. I have already spread the word and
recommend you whenever I can! Thanks very much indeed Lesley" VHS
and Hi8 tapes to DVD. 20.08.09
"Colin gives the best customer service from start to finish. Was very
helpful, answered all my questions and then kept me updated all along the
way. I was reassured by this constant updating that my precious videos were
in good hands. The end result was great too. Some good quality video - DVD
production and finished off with some great picture covers for all the DVD's
I ordered. This is a first class service and at an exceptionally good price
too! Ramsey Soudah" VHS to DVD. 14.08.09
"Hi Colin, Many thanks for the DVD.. it is exactly how I wanted it..
Excellent service.. I would definately use your services again.. Thanks
again Patricia" An exercise video, set up with chapter points so
the DVD's subjects can quickly be navigated. 08.08.09
"Hi Colin,all the DVDs were tested and were fine.I'll be pleased if
you would send my original VHS tape back to meThanks again,,I'm really
delighted with the DVDs. Hope to be in touch with you in the future.
Stan" VHS to DVD, 20.07.09
"Colin Thanks for your promt reply to my order, the copies have come
out much better than expected a great job many thanks. Regards
Richard" Particularly worn and poor quality VHS tape, digitally
processed and cleaned up for DVD. 14.07.09
"Hi Colin, The DVDs have arrived safely and play perfectly. Thank you
so much for doing this - an excellent and thoughtful service from start to
finish with a high quality result, including the lovely colour printed
inserts. I gave your address to a work colleague as soon as I opened the
parcel and have recommended you to several other people already too.
I'm sure that having this done and being so pleased with the results will
prompt some of my friends, colleagues and family to do the same. Best
wishes, Ann" Wedding VHS tape to DVDs with colour printed
boxes. 22.06.09
"Dear Colin Many thanks, DVD received well packed and in good order.
I have now had the chance to run it and I am very pleased with the quality
of the transfer and also the graphics on the box. You have done a first
class job. I bought the tape recently on EBay with no information as to its
quality. Thanks again, I would have no hesitation in using you again. Best
wishes. Sincerely. Peter" Single VHS tape to DVD, 09.06.09
"Testimonial; “I chose Colin at Video99 because alongside details
of the video to DVD transfer service, I saw his requests for betamax
equipment, sometimes offering his work as part-payment. From this I deduced
he was *really* into his field and cared, not just some cheap outfit who had
bought a TV card for their p.c, hooked it up to an old video player, and
were knocking out as many videos as they could. Great communication, quality
of product and fast turnaround” Neil" 31.05.09, SVHS to DVD-Rom
DV-AVI file.
"Hi Colin, I've just received my DVD. An excellent
conversion,everything that I wanted and great quality too. If and when I
need anything else transferred I know where to come. I shall be reccomending
your service to anyone I know. Absolutely excellent. Cheers.
Dave." 2.5 hour VHS tape put onto DVD (cost £12), 28.05.09.
"Thank you so much for your service which took less than 48 hours
start to finish. I'm totally thrilled with the dvds which considering the
poor quality of the video are excellent. Emma" A very
grainy VHS tape, I was able to use digital processing to improve the picture
somewhat. 23.05.09.
"Dear Colin The video-DVD transfers work very well on my machine and
are excellent picture quality especially considering the age of my old video
tapes. Thank you very much for the clear layout and separation of programmes
and chapters. Very nice editing. Eleanor. VHS to DVD, menus put
in for programme starts. 14.04.09
"Sorry I have taken so long to say I have received the DVDs and they
play fine, you have managed what I thought would have been a impossible task
from video's that are twenty five years old, how technology moves on, they
are probably now preserved for another 25 years or longer thanks again
Colin. Alexander" 09/04/09 VHS Wedding video to DVD with colour
printed boxes. I was able to make some corrections to the original
recording too.
"just recieved the dvd you transfered from a broken video tape of 3
of my daughters birthday parties when she was younger. to say i was thrilled
with them is a understatement. they were brillant and the cover on the dvd
is a lovely touch. i know we will enjoy watching it for many years to come.
thankyou once again. regards vicky" VHS to DVD with boxes.
02.04.09
"Colin, I've now seen the DVD's you produced and once again you've
done a great job. The quality is really excellent and the boxes with the
inserts set it all off perfectly. You made some very good choices for the
pictures! Please feel free to use my comments for testimonials as they are
well deserved. Thanks again. Regards Bruce" S-VHS tapes to DVDs
in boxes with colour printed inserts. 23.03.09
"Contacted Colin with just a week to go to my husbands birthday. I
sent him masses of tapes for transfer and Colin was able to meet my tight
time schedule. The finished product is fantastic, the professional covers a
much appreciated extra and we now have all our precious memories safely
stored. Thanks Colin for a brilliant job. Would recommend you to any one who
is looking for a great finished product and excellent customer service.
Thanks again Lynda 21/3/09" VHS, VHS-C and Video8 to DVD, urgent
job.
"Dear Colin, I'm absolutely delighted with my VHS to DVD transfer. I
was very impressed with the super fast and efficient service and
communication. Very professional. That's how all companies should operate. I
will definitely be recommending you to family and friends. Thanks again.
With Kind Regards, Alyson" Two VHS tapes to one DVD.
06.03.09
"With 17 hours of priceless footage of my young daughter I was very
cautious in choosing someone to convert my VHS tapes. Colin answered all my
questions speedily and sensitively. The service was quick and efficient, and
when a problem arose it was resolved without fuss. The final cost was as
promised and good value for the quality of the work produced . I have no
hesitation in recommending Video99 and will use the service again.
Ian" VHS to DVD, 26.01.09
"You're Fantasic. Richard Stewart, www.shotmaster.co.uk"
VHS promo film to DVD. 23.01.09
"Dvd is great thank you so much, really appreciate your
services. Stephanie." American NTSC VHS tape to UK PAL
DVD. 18.01.09
"Dear Colin Just to say THANK YOU SO MUCH. The DVDs have arrived and
we've already had great fun watching some of them. Its amazing how much is
forgotten over time and the DVDs have reminded us of a lot of wonderful
times. I'm sure our family will have just as much fun watching the
recordings when they come for visits! I just wish we had more old videos to
send you - you offer a fantastic and brilliantly reliable service that
doesn't cost the earth, for which we are very grateful. Thank you one again
and we will be sure to recommend you to anyone we hear of who needs videos
transferred. with our best regards Paula and Jim" VHS tapes to
DVD. 13.01.09
“The service that Colin McCormick gives for transferring videos to dvds
is very professional, fast and efficient and the end product is excellent
and I would have no hesitation at all in recommending him to you and you can
feel assured your precious memory tapes are safe with him. Best wishes
Linda" VHS to DVD 07.01.09
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.
VHS-C
tapes could be played back on a VHS video recorder with an adaptor.
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.