Digital Format

All tapes are converted to high-quality MP4 digital files, compatible with Windows, Mac, Smart TVs, phones, tablets, Xbox, PlayStation, Facebook, YouTube and most modern devices.

Most conversions are supplied at 50FPS for smooth playback. Some tapes and international formats require 25–30FPS for the best and most accurate result.

How We Capture Your Tape

We capture from the beginning of the tape until the recording changes to static or remains blank for approximately 60 seconds. If you know important footage appears much later, please provide approximate timings.

Blank tapes: We normally check the first 10 minutes. If no recording is found, the tape will not be converted unless you have advised us that footage exists later.

USB / Digital Delivery

Multiple converted tapes can be supplied together on one suitably sized USB stick or SD card. Files are clearly labelled to correspond with your original tape numbers or titles.

Simple Per-Tape Pricing

We charge per tape, rather than by the amount of footage recorded. Tapes containing over 3 hours of footage may incur an additional charge.

TV Recordings

For tapes containing recorded television programs, we normally convert up to 2 hours or to a natural stopping point. If you require a complete program or specific section, please provide approximate timings.

If you do not want TV recordings converted, please tell us. We will check up to 10 minutes for personal/home-video footage.

Tracking & Tape Quality

Older or degraded tapes can suffer from tracking problems, dropouts, picture instability and other age-related defects. Some professional VCRs may briefly display tracking information while locking onto a difficult signal; this is part of the playback process and cannot always be avoided.

We capture all playable footage, but the final quality is ultimately limited by the condition and quality of the original recording. Old analogue recordings cannot be transformed into modern HD-quality footage.

Unedited Transfers

Conversions are supplied as recorded on the original tape, without editing unless an editing service has been specifically requested.

Damaged Tapes

If a tape plays, we will convert the usable footage. If it cannot be played, it will be returned unconverted. Where a physical repair is possible, our standard repair charge applies. Repairs are only offered alongside conversion.

PAL, NTSC & SECAM

We support various international video standards. Frame rate and resolution may vary depending on the original recording, and some format conversions can show minor edge tearing or other characteristics inherent to the source.

MiniDV LP Recordings

MiniDV tapes recorded in LP mode can suffer from glitches, dropouts and compatibility problems, particularly when played on equipment other than the original camcorder. In difficult cases, we may recommend supplying the original camcorder.

U-Matic

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

Tape Order

We use multiple professional playback machines, so tapes may not be processed in numerical order. Your finished files will still be clearly labelled to match the originals.

Unsupported Formats

Tapes or films in formats not listed on our website will be returned. A small shipping/handling charge may apply.

Copyright

By submitting material, you confirm that you own it or have permission to have it digitised. Mr Scan Ltd cannot accept responsibility for subsequent copyright issues.

DVD Conversion

Most customers now choose digital files on USB, which we recommend, although DVD copies are still available on request.

We use DVD+/-R for recordings up to approximately 120 minutes and DVD+R DL where required for longer recordings. DVDs are tested before dispatch, but we cannot guarantee compatibility with every DVD player, particularly older models.

Several short tapes can be placed onto one DVD with a menu and separate chapters. If you require one tape per DVD, please tell us when ordering, as additional discs requested later may incur an extra charge.