Any type of Home Video or Camcorder tape to HD Digital

VHS, VHS-C, Hi8, MiniDV, Video8, Betamax or any Camcorder tape or Mini DVD

Your Home Video Tapes Converted to HD Digital

 

Thanks to a very happy customer of ours SmurfyDan for the screen grabs, full video on his Youtube page 

Other Video formats we convert

Our State of the Art H.264 HD Video Studio

Our video editing suit is state of the art and offers a superior level of video scanning. We  capture direct to digital H.264 files in real time to get the highest quality HD video from all popular video cassette formats.

50fps  (Frames per second)*

Frame Size 1920 by 1080

Average bitrate 10,000kbps+

Audio bit rate 250kbps+

Audio Sample Rate 48K

Click here for a sample clip

 

Before we start !!

 

Stuart Knight – Mr Scan Managing Director has more than 30 years experience working with video systems, he has previously worked with many police forces and prison services on CCTV video correction and enhancement engineering, he has also worked on digital video storage and enhancement engineering at the National Gallery London, to name just a few.

 

Stuart started his career as a test, calibrate and build engineer for G2 Video systems a video specialist who design and sell top of the range broadcast time-base correction equipment which we also use in house for all our video conversions to produce high end stable video results.

so YES, we are very experienced in this field unlike many others online.

Experience is everything !!

You only want to do this once so why not get it done professionally first time with Mr Scan. Beware of others who us cheap domestic equipment and charge very low prices that are too good to be true as often they are and may damage your precious tapes forever.

We are professionals, we only use top of the range equipment which is always well maintained.

VHS, VHS-C, S-VHS, Betamax, BetaCAM SP & Digital, Hi8, Video 8, DV, MiniDV, HDV, HD-MiniD, Mini DVD, Standard DVD, DVCAM, Digital-8, U-Matic

 

We highly recommend having your videos put onto a USB stick or SD card, we can supply these from our website or we are happy if you supply your own.

What’s the advantages of Digital Video over tapes?

Digital video can be copied & shared endlessly without any quality loss

DVD’s are more durable than tapes

Digital video quality will not degrade over the years

No rewinding or fast forwarding

They take up less space

Digital video footage will look exactly the same as the original tape

Digital video is the new standard, tape players are fading out

 

 

Equipment used in our studio for video conversions

Time-base correction units : G2 Systems MSTC-Component

Video players – Sony and Sanyo Beta

Dedicated rack mount Hi8/video 8 Professional video players player

Sony Betacam SP Digital VCR – Sony DVW-A510P

Panasonic DV and mini DVD player

Vicon video switch unit

Panasonic and LG DVD recorders

Audio: Denon X1800 mixer – Denon Media Players

Numark audio mixer

Sony Micro MV Digital Tape Players

 

Professional film archive scanning of home movies and video cassettes to Digital download, USB or DVD.

HD quality film archiving at low costs, VHS, Betamax and camcorder

PAL, Secam or NTSC (Foreign) videos converted to PAL (UK) .

We also repair/join ripped and damaged tapes (as below)

We convert most types of camcorder tapes and discs

At Mr Scan we use a state of the art time-base correcting system to obtain the best quality conversion of your old video tapes to DVD

Important Information – Video Tape to Digital Conversion (VHS, Video8, MiniDV & More)

Video Format & Codec

We convert all video tapes into high-quality MP4 digital files using the most compatible and widely supported codec. MP4 works on Windows, Mac, Smart TVs, Xbox, PlayStation, iPhone, iPad, Facebook, YouTube and more.

If you’d like to test compatibility before ordering, simply download our demo video above.

Please note: We are not responsible for playback software on your personal device. Visit our Help Page for recommended free media players.

Frame Rates

• Most conversions are supplied at 50FPS for smooth playback.

• Some tapes require 25FPS to achieve the best possible result.

---

How We Capture Your Tape

We begin capturing from the start of the tape and continue until the footage changes to static or blank screen for at least 60 seconds.

If you know there is important footage towards the end of a tape, please tell us the approximate position in your paperwork so we don’t miss it.

---

Blank Tapes

If a tape appears blank, we check the first 10 minutes:

• If still blank, no conversion is carried out.

• If you believe footage is later on the tape, please provide rough timings.

---

USB Sticks

All your converted videos are saved digitally.
Multiple tapes will be placed on one suitable-sized USB stick for convenience.

---

Clear, Simple Pricing

We charge per tape, not by footage length. This keeps pricing simple and transparent.

---

TV Broadcast Footage on Tapes

If your tape contains recorded TV programmes (e.g., EastEnders, sports, news):

• We convert up to 2 hour, or to a natural cut-off point.

• If you require all of a broadcast or a specific segment (e.g., you appeared on “The Weakest Link”), please tell us in writing and give approximate timings.

Confirmation Required

If you do NOT want any TV broadcasts converted:

• Tell us clearly.

• We will play up to 10 minutes only to check for home-video content.

---

Unedited Conversions

All transfers are supplied exactly as on the original tape, with no editing.
Editing services are available upon request.

---

Old or Damaged Tapes

Many old tapes naturally degrade over time.

• If the footage plays on our equipment, we will convert all playable video.

• If the tape will not play at all, we return it unconverted.

• If your tape requires a repair, our standard repair fee applies.
  Repairs are only available when paired with a digital conversion.

Please remember:
You only get out what you put in.
Old tapes cannot be transformed into modern HD broadcast quality.

---

Unsupported Tape Formats

Any tape or film not listed on our services page will be returned. A small shipping/handling fee applies.

---

Tape Numbering & Order

Because multiple machines are used, we cannot guarantee tapes are converted in your preferred order.
However, all files are clearly labelled so they can be matched to your original tape numbers or titles.

---

Format Conversions (PAL, NTSC, SECAM)

When converting international formats such as NTSC to PAL, you may see slight tearing at the top or bottom of the frame. This is completely normal.

Some cases require output at 25FPS instead of 50FPS.

---

Mini DV Tapes Recorded in LP Mode

MiniDV tapes recorded in LP mode often suffer from:

• Glitches

• Dropouts

• Compatibility issues unless played back on the original camcorder

If you know your tapes were recorded in LP, we may ask you to supply the original camcorder for best results.

---

Extended Play (EP / Long Play) Tapes

If your tape runs over 3 hours, a double-charge may apply.

---

U-Matic Tapes

Hi-Band U-Matic tapes are converted in monochrome only.

---

Copyright

We assume you own the rights or have permission to digitise the material.
We are not responsible for any copyright issues that may arise after conversion.

---

Converting Your Video to DVD – What You Need to Know

Although most customers now choose USB, we can still create DVDs upon request however we no longer recommend it.
Please be aware:

DVD Compatibility

We use:

• DVD+/-R single-layer discs for up to 120 minutes

• DVD+R DL dual-layer discs for longer footage

Your DVD player must support recordable discs.
Most players (approx. 95%) do, but a few older models may not.

If unsure, check your DVD player manual or search the model number online.

We test all discs before dispatch, but cannot guarantee compatibility with every DVD player.

---

Multiple Tapes on One DVD

If you have several short tapes (under 120 minutes each), they can be placed on one DVD with a menu showing each tape as a separate chapter.

If you prefer one tape per disc, just let us know.
Additional discs requested later may incur an extra fee.

Important Information – Video Tape to Digital Conversion (VHS, Video8, MiniDV & More)

Video Format & Codec

We convert all video tapes into high-quality MP4 digital files using the most compatible and widely supported codec. MP4 works on Windows, Mac, Smart TVs, Xbox, PlayStation, iPhone, iPad, Facebook, YouTube and more.

If you’d like to test compatibility before ordering, simply download our demo video above.

Please note: We are not responsible for playback software on your personal device. Visit our Help Page for recommended free media players.

Frame Rates

• Most conversions are supplied at 50FPS for smooth playback.

• Some tapes require 25FPS to achieve the best possible result.

---

How We Capture Your Tape

We begin capturing from the start of the tape and continue until the footage changes to static or blank screen for at least 60 seconds.

If you know there is important footage towards the end of a tape, please tell us the approximate position in your paperwork so we don’t miss it.

---

Blank Tapes

If a tape appears blank, we check the first 10 minutes:

• If still blank, no conversion is carried out.

• If you believe footage is later on the tape, please provide rough timings.

---

USB Sticks

All your converted videos are saved digitally.
Multiple tapes will be placed on one suitable-sized USB stick for convenience.

---

Clear, Simple Pricing

We charge per tape, not by footage length. This keeps pricing simple and transparent.

---

TV Broadcast Footage on Tapes

If your tape contains recorded TV programmes (e.g., EastEnders, sports, news):

• We convert up to 1 hour, or to a natural cut-off point.

• If you require all of a broadcast or a specific segment (e.g., you appeared on “The Weakest Link”), please tell us in writing and give approximate timings.

Confirmation Required

If you do NOT want any TV broadcasts converted:

• Tell us clearly.

• We will play up to 10 minutes only to check for home-video content.

---

Unedited Conversions

All transfers are supplied exactly as on the original tape, with no editing.
Editing services are available upon request.

---

Old or Damaged Tapes

Many old tapes naturally degrade over time.

• If the footage plays on our equipment, we will convert all playable video.

• If the tape will not play at all, we return it unconverted.

• If your tape requires a repair, our standard repair fee applies.
  Repairs are only available when paired with a digital conversion.

Please remember:
You only get out what you put in.
Old tapes cannot be transformed into modern HD quality.

---

Unsupported Tape Formats

Any tape or film not listed on our services page will be returned. A small shipping/handling fee applies.

---

Tape Numbering & Order

Because multiple machines are used, we cannot guarantee tapes are converted in your preferred order.
However, all files are clearly labelled so they can be matched to your original tape numbers or titles.

---

Format Conversions (PAL, NTSC, SECAM)

When converting international formats such as NTSC to PAL, you may see slight tearing at the top or bottom of the frame. This is completely normal.

Some cases require output at 25FPS instead of 50FPS.

---

Mini DV Tapes Recorded in LP Mode

MiniDV tapes recorded in LP mode often suffer from:

• Glitches

• Dropouts

• Compatibility issues unless played back on the original camcorder

If you know your tapes were recorded in LP, we may ask you to supply the original camcorder for best results.

---

Extended Play (EP / Long Play) Tapes

If your tape runs over 3 hours, a double-charge may apply.

---

U-Matic Tapes

Hi-Band U-Matic tapes are converted in monochrome only.

---

Copyright

We assume you own the rights or have permission to digitise the material.
We are not responsible for any copyright issues that may arise after conversion.

---

Converting Your Video to DVD – What You Need to Know

Although most customers now choose USB, we can still create DVDs upon request.
Please be aware:

DVD Compatibility

We use:

• DVD+/-R single-layer discs for up to 120 minutes

• DVD+R DL dual-layer discs for longer footage

Your DVD player must support recordable discs.
Most players (approx. 95%) do, but a few older models may not.

If unsure, check your DVD player manual or search the model number online.

We test all discs before dispatch, but cannot guarantee compatibility with every DVD player.

---

Multiple Tapes on One DVD

If you have several short tapes (under 120 minutes each), they can be placed on one DVD with a menu showing each tape as a separate chapter.

If you prefer one tape per disc, just let us know.
Additional discs requested later may incur an extra fee.