Unlike our "box" competitors who are trying to commoditize digital transfers, we at Advent Media, Inc. provide a wide variety of specialized personal services, and our prices are near to or in some cases less than our competitors. We treat each job as special, because your films, tapes or images are special. We don't think it's fair to charge the same for a 5 minute roll of film as for a 6-hour VHS tape recorded at super-slow speed, so our pricing is dependent on quantity or time.
What We Need
To give you an accurate estimate, we need to know:
- What type(s) of items you have
- How many of each type of item, and
- The size, or length (runtime) of the items
Yes, we can do "combination" orders of various types of legacy media.
Scroll down or click for details on your source media type:
Prints/Negatives/Slides Movie Film Videotape Audio Recordings Devices PROFESSIONAL
Process Overview
- Send us a list - a detailed inventory of what you have to transfer (see below).
- Well send you an estimate with an agreement to sign based on the inventory. Discounts apply, so the more you order the bigger the discount – up to 25%! You can combine various media types in the same order and get the bulk discount on everything.
- Drop Off: Make an appointment to drop off (or ship) the materials. For orders over $250 we ask for a deposit of 50% of the quote. Orders under $250 require a deposit of the full estimate. For all transfers, minimum order is $85 (plus tax). Checks or credit/debit cards are accepted. If shipping is required, we'll provide the address and instructions. (Use your own box, and ship via your preferred carrier with tracking and signature required.)
- We transfer all the materials right in our studio. They never leave the building. We'll keep you posted on progress.
- Tally Invoice: After completing the transfer, we’ll tally the quantity of the materials actually transferred (time, footage, number of pictures or data) and adjust the balance due (if any) accordingly.
- Pick Up: We make another appointment for you to pick up the materials, or we arrange for shipping. The adjusted balance is due upon delivery. Credit cards are welcome, and may be paid online before dropping off or picking up. Return shipping via FedEx is extra. We recommend purchasing a return shipping label and including it when sending your materials.
Scroll down or click for details on your source media type:
Prints/Negatives/Slides | Movie Film | Videotape | Audio Recordings | Devices
Prints, Negatives or Slides:
What we need:
We simply need to know the NUMBER of images to transfer, the TYPE of images (prints, slides or negatives), and what FORMAT they are (snapshots, portraits, albums for prints, or film size for slides/negatives).
- PRINT TYPES
- "Machine Scanning" providing high quality at low cost for loose prints (not those in albums).
- Any print size up to 8.5 x 14 inches may be scanned, including snapshots and portraits
- 2 sided scanning is an option to capture writing on the back. Please note if that is desired.
- NEW: Machine scans provide two files - "normal" scan and "enhanced" to restore faded colors
- "Flatbed Scanning" provides the same quality as Machine Scans
- For thicker prints, such as Polaroids or those mounted to artboard
- For fragile prints from long ago
- Album or scrapbook pages, up to 8.5x14
- "Copystand" scanning is required for larger items:
- Any framed photos that cannot be removed from frames
- Photo album layouts
- Prints larger than 8.5x14
- Copystand prints are captured in the RAW format and color correction is performed for the JPG images you receive.
- Prints with cracks, wrinkles or other damage will appear as you see them unless you specify print restoration (at extra cost). We can sometimes do miracles with Photoshop.
- How many prints do I have? Here's how to estimate the quantity:
- If your prints are still in packages from the film processor from 35mm film, there are either 24 or 36 prints in a package. You can judge the quantity by the thickness of the pack.
- For older film types (127, 620, etc), the number of prints would vary by format. If they're still in packs, count the number in one bundle, then you can guess about the others.
- If your prints are in stacks (as in a shoebox), normal paper prints yield around 90 prints per linear inch. You can measure the stack and do some math
- SLIDE FORMATS
- Please specify what kind of slides you have:
- 2x2-inch 35mm, Instamatic or 127 (Superslides)
- Tiny formats like Pocket Instamatic or Minox (sizes less than 2x2-inch)
- Large format slides from 645 to 70mm
- And other sheet transparencies up to 8x11 inches (view camera films or overhead transparencies)
- For 2x2 slides there is a significant discount if slides are loaded in Carousel trays.
- We can use either 80 or 140 slide trays. If using 140 trays, be sure they are in genuine Kodak trays.
- Slides in other types of trays will be removed from the trays and returned in stacks.
- Color correction is an option for faded slides, though results may vary. Transfer in RAW (at extra cost) may facilitate color correction.
- How many slides do I have? Here's how to estimate quantity
- If slides are in Carousel trays, you'll have either 80 or 140 in a tray. Tray slots are numbered so you can look at the tray to see how many in each tray.
- If slides are in boxes from the processor, you'll have either 20 or 36 photos. The fatter box will have 36, the thinner box 24.
- If slides are in cardboard or thin plastic mounts, there are about 20 per linear inch.
- If slides are in "slide sorter" containers, the slots are usually numbered, so you can easily see how many are in each container.
- Negatives
- Please specify what kind of negatives these are:
- 35mm negatives in strips, either loose or in plastic sleeves
- Larger format negatives from 2 1/4 to 8x10 inches
- Tiny negatives from Pocket Instamatic or Minox
- Negative transfer is a time-consuming process starting with transfer in highest-resolution RAW format, followed by several processing stages to invert and color correct the image. The Adobe Lightroom catalog is included if you prefer to do further editing.
- Documents
- Machine scanning of documents up to 8.5x14 at 600dpi is available. Output is in PDF.
- Copystand photos of documents is an option, at fixed resolution, same as slides. Copystand required for framed documents or those larger than 8.5x11. Output in JPG or PNG.
- OCR can be performed on machine-transferred PDFs to render the text searchable, or to be able to copy/paste content to another program. OCR not available for copystand transfer.
Specify Capture Options:
- Sequence: If you want the images in a particular sequence on your release media, arrange them before delivery and mark them with a sequence number. On prints, lightly write the number in pencil on the back. Never use ink on photo prints. If you submit without numbering, we will sort by print size and transfer randomly. For slides, load the tray in the sequence you want them to appear, or if not in trays, create stacks and mark the sequence of stacks and which slide would be first in each stack. You may deliver your images in packs (boxes, bundles, envelopes or bags.) We will segregate images in each pack into folders on the release drive. Negatives cannot be sequenced like slides or prints, but they will be captured together as a folder.
- Re-Sequencing (Renaming): Images will be scanned in the order specified by you. If there is no specification, they will be randomly processed. If delivered on writable media (Flash drive or upload), you may rename them to change the order. If delivered on optical media, they cannot be renamed without first copying to writable media.
- Video Photo Album. Our normal transfer service gives you individual image files, like you'd get from a digital camera. We can combine still images into a DVD or MP4 video or a PowerPoint show that will run on any PC. You need to provide sequencing information, because once locked onto a video file, the order of images cannot be changed. (PowerPoint sequences can be changed.)
- File Type: Machine and flatbed scans are all captured as high-quality JPGs from the scanning software. Copystand images are captured in RAW and processed before exporting as JPG. Any other file type may be specified. Uncompressed or lossless formats will require larger release drives.
- Lower Resolution Export Option: High quality full-resolution JPGs are quite large and may be unsuitable for Web usage or social media. You may request bulk export of images at a lower resolution or with more compression for image sharing.
Request Quote for your Print/Slide transfer
Home Movie Film:
What we need
We need to know the TYPE of film 8mm, Super 8mm or 16mm, the NUMBER OF REELS, and the DIAMETER of each reel (or film pack on the reel).
The type of film can be identified by the type of sprocket hole and reel:
Regular 8mm is slightly wider than ¼”, has larger rectangular sprocket holes that are aligned with the frame lines (between frames) and a small (¼”) hole in the middle of the reel.- Super 8mm is the same width, has tiny sprocket holes that are centered on the frame, and the frame lines are almost nil. Reels have a large (3/8") hole in the middle. Super 8 with a brown stripe down one edge has sound. Super 8 with a squiggly line down one edge also has sound. Super 8 sound was introduced in 1973, so films before that won’t have sound.
- 16mm home movie film is about 1/2" wide with sprocket holes on both sides and the reel has a square hole. If the film has sprocket holes on only one side and squiggly lines or a brown stripe down the other, it is a sound film. We can also transfer negative movie film.
Reel Diameter: Because film has a standard thickness, we can estimate the length by the size of the reel (measuring in inches from edge to edge, across the middle) or the diameter of the film pack on the reel if it is not full. Typical sizes:
- 3" diameter = 50'
- 4" diameter = 100'
- 5" diameter = 200'
- 6" diameter = 300'
- 7" diameter = 400'
Some larger reels have footage indicators marked on the spokes. If the reel isn't full and the reel is so marked, report the footage indicated.
Films in Cassettes
Some Super 8mm films are in cassettes or have "auto-rewind" clips locking the film to the reel. If you open the cassette you will find a reel. We can accept films in cassettes, but the film must be taken out for transfer. Any auto-rewind clips will be removed (the auto-rewind function will not work after transfer unless you restore the clips.)
Films with Sound
We can transfer Super-8 and 16mm Films with Sound
- "Optical" sound uses squiggly lines on one edge of the film. We capture that alongside the image and digitally convert it into a soundtrack. Optical sound is usually found only in commercial films.
- "Magnetic" sound has a brown stripe along the same edge. We separately extract the soundtrack and sync it to the picture digitally.
- There was also a Bell & Howell Super 8 sound process that recorded sound on a separate cassette tape. If the tape exists we can sync that as well.
- "Separate System Sound" for 16mm film production often utilized synchronous open reel tape. We can transfer and sync these tapes with the film. (Sorry, we cannot transfer magnetic film.)
About Reel Sizes
For home movies, all but the smallest are reels have been spliced together by someone in your family, and they may not be full. For a more accurate quote, measure the diameter of the film pack itself. Splices in spliced reels vary widely in quality and may not hold up. We allow for repair of one broken splice per reel. Additional splices are extra.
Damaged or Aged Film
Often colors have faded. You can request color correction at extra cost. We have encountered some films that are too degraded or brittle to transfer. We will examine the films upon receipt and let you know if they can be salvaged. NOTE: Replacing splices, or splicing out damaged footage always results in loss of some footage. We have experienced films that are curled or brittle. Curled, brittle film may not transfer well - you may see frame skips or other artifacts. Badly aged film may be too brittle to pass through our transfer machine. We are not responsible for film breakage if film is badly degraded. If film has a strong chemical smell, degredation has begun.
Transfer Options:
We now transfer all films in high definition. We can transfer in either 16:9 (with pillarbox black bars on edges) or 4:3 (full frame legacy style). Some films have image area beyond the normal frame that is typically cropped in the projector. If we transfer in 16:9 we can capture that extra data for a wider picture. Read more about film transfer quality.
Source Option:
Home movies are captured as very robust "source files," which are very large. They are then rendered to the common .MP4 format for release, which is compatible with all modern media players. You may request the source files for only the cost of additional storage. Please let us know if you prefer to receive the source files.
DVD Option:
Normally we deliver digital files on Flash drive, which is not only less expensive, but there is no time limit on how much program you can put on a drive (larger drives may be required). DVD is limited to 2 hours. If you desire DVD (Standard Definition) or BluRay (High Definition) disks, there is a mastering fee, plus a fee per copy.
Please don't confuse movie FILMS with sprocket holes on reels, with home movie VIDEOTAPES, which have no holes and are in cassette shells.
Request quote for your Film Transfer
Video Cassettes (Home Movie Tapes)
What we need:
We need to know the TYPE of videotape, the LENGTH, and the SPEED (if known).
- Tape TYPES are usually noted on the tape label or a logo stamped on the cassettes. PLEASE BE SPECIFIC as to tape type. Consumer types we support include:
- VHS/SVHS (full size)
- 'VHS-C (smaller)
- 8mm/Hi-8mm/Digital-8
- Betamax
- DV (Mini-DV)
- Mini DVD (camera discs)
- Tape LENGTH is usually noted by the number stamped on the cassette
- "T120" is common for a 2-hour VHS tape at "standard speed."
- Other common lengths are 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180.
- Tapes may not be full. If you think they're less than full, specify how long you think the program is. We'll adjust the fee once we determine exact length.
- Tape SPEED affects how much time can be on the tape. If you know what speed was used to record, we can accurately estimate. If not we'll assume they're standard speed.
- A T120 at SP (Standard Play) can hold up to 2 hours of program
- A T120 at LP (Long Play) can hold 4 hours
- A T120 at SLP (Super Long Play) can hold 6 hours
- All tape types have slower speed options. The slower the speed, the lower the quality of video. Results of low-speed tapes are not guarantee.d
Videotape Restoration Options:
If a tape has come off is spool, we can disassemble the cassette and reconnect the leader. If tape has become mangled or broken, we can splice the videotape (some program time will be lost). If the tape exhibits "Sticky Shed Syndrome" and doesn't play smoothly in your VCR, we can bake the tape at extra cost. Click for details.
Output Options:
Normally we deliver digital files on Flash drive, which is not only less expensive, but there is no time limit on how much program you can put on a drive (larger drives may be required). DVD can hold only 2 hours of Standard Definition (SD) program material. All analog tapes and the "DV" variety of digital tapes are captured natively in SD in the 4:3 aspect ratio. HDV tapes are high definition and will be delivered in 720p. If released on set-top-compatible DVD, HDV tapes are converted to widescreen SD. Blu-ray disks are a HD option. The 2 hour per disk limit applies.
Delivery Options:
Analog videotapes are initially captured as very robust DV "source files," which are very large. They are then rendered to the common .MP4 format for release, which is compatible with all modern media players. You may request the source files for only the cost of additional storage. Please let us know if you prefer to receive the source files.
AI Upres to HD:
If videotapes qualify, we can use our AI system to "upres" your SD tapes to HD. Not all tapes will make this transition well, as they need to be low-noise and well exposed for the AI to work right. DV or Digital8 tapes are most likely to qualify. We can advise on suitability for upres once tapes are transferred.
Please don't confuse movie FILMS with sprocket holes on reels, with home movie VIDEOTAPES, which have no holes and are in cassette shells.
Request quote for your video transfer
Audio Tapes and Records:
What we need:
We need to know how many of what size you have because transfers are priced on recording length. For audio, this can get complicated:
- Open Reel tapes are on reels that can be 3”, 5”, 7” or 10.5” in diameter. They can be recorded on one or two sides, the tape can be three different thicknesses and they can be recorded at 4 different speeds, providing a wide variety of possible program lengths. We have a separate article to help determine what your tape length may be. If you think they may not be full, let us know how much recording time might be on the tape, and whether you think it’s recorded on one or both sides. If it's too confusing, make a guess for the quote and we'll find out exact length when we play it for transfer.
- Cassettes are much easier. On the label or stamped somewhere on the body is a number for how long they are. Typically you'll see C60, C90 or C120, which refers to playing time on both sides. If you know there are only recordings on one side, you can specify half the listed length (30, 45 or 60). Since cassettes all run at the same speed, just specify how many of each cassette length. If you think the cassettes may not be full, let us know how much time might be on the tape.
- Phonograph Records can be mono or stereo 78s, 45s, and LPs up to 12” in diameter. Specify quantity, speed and disk size. Let us know if you want one or both sides or the record transferred. Also, we need to know if you want songs on an LP altogether as one file, or split into separate files (required for export to CD). You can request extensive audio cleanup of records (at extra charge), or we can deliver them with ticks/pops and surface noise as received. (Commercial photograph records have copyright restrictions. See below.)
Tape Restoration Options
Aging magnetic tape may have issues. High-output tape from the 80s and 90s may exhibit the "Sticky Shed Syndrom," where the tape layers adhere to each other. "Tape Baking" is required to make those tapes playable at extra charge. Splices in edited tapes may have dried out and will break when played. We allow one splice repair per reel. Additional splice repairs are extra cost. Cassettes with broken tape may be repaired. If the shell has no screws, a new shell can be provided. If a tape is physically stretched, the section will be spliced out. If a tape is mangled, we will attempt to play, but audio will be garbled. You may not know these conditions exist until we examine the tapes or begin transfer. Additional charges for repair will be added to the final invoice.
Delivery Option:
Normally we release audio files as MP3 or WAV files on flash drive. You can request your recordings be released in the standard Audio-CD format, playable in a CD player. Recording time per disk is limited to 74 minutes, and there are fees to create the master, and the release disk.
Request Quote for your Audio Transfer
Transfers from Devices
What we need:
Transferring from a device and (where necessary) transcoding to a common format are priced based on Gigabytes of data transferred. We can read SD, CF and USB media, 3.5" floppy drives and even bare hard drives from old computers (working PATA or SATA only). We can also transfer from non-copyright-protected DVD or CD. If you have media stuck on an old device without removable media, we can extract the data if it has a common USB or Apple connection, and the device still functions when plugged in (assuming the battery is expired). If the connection is not common, we will need a USB connecting cord with the device.
Let us know what the device is, and we may have to continue the discussion to arrive at a firm quote. For all transfers, minimum order is $75.
Request Quote for your Device Transfer
Professional Legacy Formats
We have capability of transferring several professional legacy formats:
- Betacam/Betacam SP
- 3/4 U-matic (field recorder tapes only)
- DVCAM
- HDV
- Digital-8
- DAT audio
- 16mm movie film negatives
Please specify the number of tapes and approximate length.
For other specialty formats, if you have a working playback machine, we can use it to digitize your content. Please contact us with details.
Ask about transferring professional or unusual formats
NOTICE FOR MATERIAL(S) PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT: It is illegal to share copies of any materials protected by copyright. This includes ALL music recordings less than 100 years old. Details about copyright and usage.