FAQs

See our video transfer page for more details

We can convert a wide variety of Video Tape formats to digital media such as: VHS, VHS-C, Super VHS, 8mm Tape (Hi8), Digital 8, and Mini DV.

Yes, we can copy PAL and NTSC, providing they are not subject to copyright.

Yes, providing the original tape has not degraded too badly. Most VHS tapes will look better after transfer, particularly if we provide noise reduction and colour correction.

Yes! We can now convert your tapes into editable AVI or MP4 files.  Other formats are available on request. Pricing does not include a DVD/Blu-ray movie disc that will play in your DVD/Blu-ray player. If you would like discs there will be an extra charge.
Please Note: You must purchase an external hard drive from us if you would like to have your transferred tapes as editable files. Due to the risk of infecting our network with a virus, we cannot use a hard drive you already own.

Our archival quality print scanning is the best solution if you want a high quality scan for archiving and reprinting.  We use our Epson Photo V700 high quality flatbed scanner with Digital ICE or Silverfast SRDx

Yes. We manually rotate images to the correct orientation for no additional charge. We also crop the images to remove any border left by the scanning equipment

Typically, 35mm mounted slides are the most common but we can scan virtually every type of slide.

A strip of negatives is 2 or more frames.  Pricing is per frame/image. If you have a roll of uncut film, we will need to cut the roll into strips of 6 frames.

Standard Negatives are 35mm and 35mm Half Frame negative strips that have 2 or more. The negatives must be in reasonably good condition. Negatives that are excessively curled may require an additional handling fee to scan. "Good condition" means that the film is not warped, mouldy or curled, sticky, ripped, or torn. Colour issues (such as fading) and general age are not a factor in determining condition. We will try to fix colour issues as part of our basic service. Scanning of 35mm single frame negatives, however, will attract an additional handling fee per image for this service.

The most common sizes are:

• 35mm Strips
• 35mm Half Frame Strips
• 110
• 126
• 127

Please contact us for unusual sizes

Yes, and the pricing is the same as colour negatives. However, we recommend Black and White negatives are output as TIFF images for editing. Digital ICE scratch & blemish removal technology cannot be used when scanning black and white negatives, but we have the latest Silverscan SRDx technology available for this purpose.

Yes. We carry out manual colour and exposure correction to each individual image using Adobe Photoshop.

Professional photo printing requires that your image be 300dpi, or dots per inch. The actual dpi used to scan your prints depends on the size of the print. The minimum we would scan at would be 300dpi. Typically we scan images smaller than 4x6 at 600dpi, and larger prints are scanned at 300dpi. A 4x6 scanned at 600dpi results in a final image size of 2400x3600 pixels. Containing enough detail to accurately recreate an 8x12 of the image. Scanning prints at a dpi greater than 600 will not likely enhance the image, it may actually ad artifacts to the scan. This is different to scanning negatives or slides, where higher resolutions are essential because the area being scanned is much smaller.

We can scan your slides and negatives at high resolution. Our scanners are capable of scanning higher than 4,000dpi. You may select the resolution you desire. We recommend the 2000dpi option for most of our customers. A 35mm slide or negative scanned at 2000dpi will give you an image size that is suitable for making a good 8x10" reprint. If your film is good quality and taken at a low ISO/ASA, then 4000dpi may be a good option for you if you wish to create enlargements. If you're still unsure what is right for your project, we will be happy to make recommendations based your individual needs.

Absolutely not! We do nothing to your original image except scan it into our system. We then work with the scanned image and place your original in a safe place.

We use state of the art image editing. Digital technology enables us to make virtually any photo or image, even if it's in pieces, look as good or better than new. We can remove or add someone to a picture, change the background, add special effects, and add virtually anything you can dream up.

Yes. You will receive new  "digital negatives" that and can be used for reprints by anyone who can provide digital printing.

How does pricing for Photo Restoration and Photo Retouching work?
Please see the photo restoration pricing page. We price projects on the amount of work involved. Without actually seeing the photo, it is difficult to estimate the cost. You may submit a scan of your photo for an estimate.

We specialise in Regular 8mm, Super 8mm, and 16mm film types with the ability to transfer sound, if present.

50ft Reels are 3-4 Minutes. You can use this as a basic guide for your larger reels. For Example: a 400ft Reel would be 24-32 minutes in length.

Yes, look at the visual comparison chart below:

Our transfer equipment is imported from the USA and provides TRUE frame-by-frame transfer.  We do not film off the wall or use a variety of mirrors and contraptions to obtain our transfers.

We offer a variety of different formats but usually we output movies as MOV (HD or SD), AVI or MP4.  Other formats are also available and we can create playable DVD and/or Blu-ray discs.
WE CAN ALSO OUTPUT FULL MOVIES AS NUMBERED IMAGE SEQUENCES.

Through our colour correction and image enhancement services (included in the base price), most films will indeed look better with no flicker. They should be better than they have ever looked!

Yes! Although most home movie film is silent, we can transfer sound from some16mm and Super8 movie reels for an additional cost.  However, we would first need to check your film to make sure that we can capture the sound track.

Fungus. This arises if the film has been stored in a warm and damp location. The fungus grows in the gelatin emulsion layer of the film, where the image is. Since the gelatin has been eaten by the fungus, and replaced by fungal waste products, it is not possible to remove this.

The cellulose acetate film base is starting to decompose, known as “vinegar syndrome”, releasing acetic acid. This can fade the image and get the rest of the roll started going bad also. Store the film in a can that has holes drilled for air circulation and get it transferred to video soon.

Normally our transfers will take from 1 to 2 weeks. Rush Jobs transfers are completed in 1 to 2 days for an extra cost.

If your images have a copyright symbol we can scan them if permission is granted by the copyright owner, or if you agree to sign a waiver that you will only be using the media we make as a backup of the material you legally own and not for resale or other commercial purposes.

All work is carried out in-house and no material is sent out to third parties.

Trays, Slide Boxes, Preserver sleeves or anything that will keep your slides, negatives and photos organized and protected during shipment.  Remember that images and movies should be provided with sequence if you require the material in any particular order!

Yes! We always return your original film , negatives, slides and photographs.

Yes! We will transfer full quality uncompressed MOV OR AVI files from your 8mm and Super8 reels to a USB External Hard Drive. This hard drive can be used on both MACs and PCs.

If you require an external drive to be provided, an additional charge for the drive will be applicable.

We can also transfer the media to playable DVD or Blu-ray discs for an additional charge.

Yes! These discs work like any commercial DVD you buy in the store.

Yes, for an additional charge.

Yes, providing you have have the proper burning software and DVD/Blu-ray burner drive installed on your computer.