Video tape & movie film transfers.
We digitize your VHS and camcorder tapes and your 8mm, Super 8 and 16mm home movies onsite, never send them out, and return your originals. Then watch, download and share your videos from your own private video portal. Drop off at either store in Quakertown, PA or Flemington, NJ, or mail them to us from anywhere in the US.
- Transferred in our own lab
- Originals returned
- Private video portal included
- Mail-in from anywhere in the US
Tapes, camcorder cassettes and home movie reels
Video tape
- VHS
- VHS-C
- Video8
- Hi8
- Digital8
- MiniDV
- MiniDVD
- Betamax
- Betacam
- PAL/SECAM VHS
No VCR or camcorder at home? That's fine. We have the players.
Movie film
- 8mm
- Super 8
- 16mm
- Silent or sound
Home movies on reels, in cans or boxes. Priced by the foot, so short reels cost less.
Something else, like S-VHS, DVCAM or U-Matic? Bring it in or call. Specialty media may require an estimate. Audio cassettes, reel-to-reel tapes and records are transferred too: see audio transfers.
Normal transfer rates
| Most video tapesVHS, VHS-C, Video8, Hi8, Digital8, MiniDV, MiniDVD | $35.00per 2 recorded hours |
|---|---|
| Each additional tape that fits in the same 2-hour block | $5.00per tape |
| Betamax, Betacam and PAL/SECAM VHS | $65.00per tape |
| Movie film: first 50 feet8mm, Super 8, 16mm | $35.00per order |
| Movie film: each additional foot | $0.23per foot |
| Sound filmSuper 8 or 16mm with a sound track | +$0.15per foot |
How the 2-hour block works: $35.00 covers up to 2 hours of recorded video. Short tapes share a block, at $5.00 for each additional tape that fits. Three 30-minute camcorder tapes fit in one block: $35.00 plus two tapes at $5.00, so $45.00.
Movie film is priced by the foot. The first 50 feet of each order are $35.00, then $0.23 a foot. A 400-foot reel of silent 8mm film comes to $115.50. We measure your film at drop-off, and the final price is based on what we actually transfer.
Your videos, online and in hand
| Custom video portalWatch, download and share your MP4 videos | Included |
|---|---|
| DVD | +$10.00per 2 hours |
| Blu-ray | +$15.00per 2 hours |
| USB drive | from $21.95 |
USB drive sizes: 32GB $21.95 · 64GB $32.95 · 128GB $39.95 · 256GB $52.95. Not sure what size you need? We'll help you pick when you drop off.
Your private video portal at my.blacklabimaging.com
Every transfer comes with a private online portal. When your order is ready, we let you know, and you sign in at my.blacklabimaging.com to see each tape and reel as its own video.
Watch
Tap any video to play it on your phone, tablet or computer. Rename each one so you know what's what.
Download
Save your MP4 files to your own computer or drive. The files are large, so use a good Wi-Fi connection.
Share
Send a private link to family by text or email. They can watch and download without an account.
From the closet to your phone in four steps
- Bring it to either store, or mail it in. We go through the box, note what you have and give you an estimate.
- We transfer it in our lab. Onsite, never sent out. Standard turnaround is 3–6 weeks. Rush service available. Ask in store.
- We let you know when it's ready. The final price is based on the actual recorded time and footage. Blank tapes are not billed.
- Watch, download and share in your portal, and pick up your originals plus any DVDs, Blu-rays or USB drive you ordered.
How to get your tapes and film ready
- Gather everything in one bag or box. Check closets, the attic and old camera bags. Camcorder tapes are often still inside the camcorder.
- Label what you know. A sticky note on each case with names, years or events (“Beach 1994”) helps us keep everything in order and helps you find things later.
- Tell us what matters most. If one tape is the wedding or the only video of Dad, let us know at drop-off.
- Keep film in its reel and can or box. Note anything written on the box. If you know a reel has sound, tell us.
- Store them cool and dry until drop-off. Keep them out of a hot car, a damp basement and direct sun.
- Don't try to fix it yourself. Don't play a moldy, wet or broken tape in an old VCR, and don't tape or splice film. Bring it in as it is. Repairs are $15.00 each.
- Don't worry about sorting or counting hours. We count it with you at drop-off.
Good to know
- Blank tapes are not billed.
- Repairs are $15.00 each.
- Custom editing is $60.00 per hour.
- Turnaround is 3–6 weeks. Rush service available. Ask in store.
- Damaged or specialty media may require an estimate.
- Your originals always come back to you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer VHS tapes to digital?
Most video tapes, including VHS, VHS-C, Video8, Hi8, Digital8, MiniDV and MiniDVD, are $35.00 for every 2 hours of recorded video. Short tapes can share a 2-hour block: each additional tape that fits in the same block is $5.00. Betamax, Betacam and PAL/SECAM VHS tapes are $65.00 per tape. Your private video portal is included.
How is movie film priced?
Movie film is priced by the foot, so you only pay for the film you have. The first 50 feet of each order are $35.00, then $0.23 for each additional foot. Sound film (Super 8 or 16mm with a sound track) adds $0.15 per foot. For example, 400 feet of silent 8mm film comes to $115.50.
How do I know how many feet of film I have?
Measure across the reel. As a rough guide, a 3-inch reel of 8mm or Super 8 holds about 50 feet (one roll of home movie film, about 3 to 4 minutes on screen), a 5-inch reel about 200 feet and a 7-inch reel about 400 feet. You don't need to work it out yourself: we measure the film when you drop it off and price the order from the actual footage.
What formats do you transfer?
Video tape: VHS, VHS-C, Video8, Hi8, Digital8, MiniDV, MiniDVD, Betamax, Betacam and PAL/SECAM VHS. Movie film: 8mm, Super 8 and 16mm, silent or with sound. Have something else, such as S-VHS, DVCAM or U-Matic? Bring it in or call us. Specialty media may need an estimate.
Do you send my tapes out to another company?
No. We transfer your tapes and reels onsite, in our own lab. They are never sent out, and your originals come back to you.
How long does it take?
Standard turnaround is 3–6 weeks. Rush service available. Ask in store.
How do I get my videos back?
Every order includes a private video portal at my.blacklabimaging.com where you can watch, download and share your videos as MP4 files. You can also add a DVD (+$10.00 per 2 hours), a Blu-ray (+$15.00 per 2 hours) or a USB drive (from $21.95). Your original tapes and reels come back to you.
Can I share the videos with my family?
Yes. From your portal you can create a private link for the whole order or for a single video and send it by text or email. The people you send it to can watch and download without making an account. You choose whether the link lasts 7, 14 or 30 days, and you can turn it off at any time.
What if a tape is blank, broken or moldy?
Blank tapes are not billed. Broken tapes and film can often be repaired, at $15.00 each. Please don't try to play a damaged tape or splice film yourself. Damaged or specialty media may require an estimate.
Can you edit my videos?
Yes. Custom editing is $60.00 per hour. Ask us what you have in mind when you drop off.
Can I mail my tapes and film to you?
Yes. We accept video tapes and movie film by mail from anywhere in the US. Ship to Black Lab Imaging, 308 W Broad St, Quakertown, PA 18951. Pack everything snugly in a sturdy box, include a note with your name, phone number, email and a list of what's inside, and use a trackable shipping service. Please call 267.576.4242 before you ship so we know it's coming and can tell you how your originals will come back to you.
Where can I drop off my tapes and film?
Bring them to either store: 308 W Broad St in Quakertown, PA (267.576.4242) or 26 Main St in Flemington, NJ (908.751.5131). We serve families across Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.
Bring it to Quakertown or Flemington
Walk in during store hours, or call first with questions.
Quakertown, PA
308 W Broad St
Quakertown, PA 18951
- Mon · Wed · Thu10am – 6pm
- Friday10am – 5pm
- Saturday10am – 3pm
- Sun & TueClosed
Flemington, NJ
26 Main St
Flemington, NJ 08822
- Tuesday–Thursday10am – 5pm
- Friday10am – 4pm
- Saturday10am – 3pm
- Sunday–MondayClosed
Not nearby? Mail it in.
We accept video tapes and movie film by mail from anywhere in the US. Ship to:
Black Lab Imaging308 W Broad St
Quakertown, PA 18951
- Pack everything snugly in a sturdy box with padding so nothing shifts.
- Include a note with your name, phone number, email and a list of what’s inside.
- Use a trackable shipping service and keep the tracking number.
- Please call 267.576.4242 before you ship so we know it’s coming and can tell you how your originals will come back to you.
Hours subject to change. Holiday and event hours are on the Quakertown and Flemington pages.