Betamax to Digital Conversion Service

Base Pricing*

We only charge for program time on the tape:

  • 30 minutes or less: $20
  • 30 - 60 minutes: $24
  • 60 - 120 minutes: $28
  • More than 120 minutes:  $28 + $10/ additional hour

Before quantity discount. Flash drive additional (or provide your own). Shipping not included. Minimum order $85.

Request a Quote

Betamax Video Tape Transfers

In the beginning, Sony created Betamax, It was the first consumer home video format to achieve success in the market and it was amazing at the time. But the JVC/Panasonic consortium soon introduced VHS, and because a certain sector of the prerecorded tape market adopted VHS, Beta lost the battle as a consumer format. Sony then modified the format to Betacam, which became a staple in broadcast and professional markets until tapeless capture became a reality. 

If you still have home movies on Betamax, you've come to the right place. Bring us your Betamax tapes and you can see the memories again.

We charge only for time on the tape. For estimation purposes we may use the full length of the tape, but the tally invoice will reflect the actual runtime of home video content. It could be less or more than the estimate.

Options
(Extra cost)

Enhancements:

  • Color Correction
  • Videotape Repair
  • Upres to HD (Qualified tapes only)

Deliverables:

  • Flash Drive (standard)
  • DVD ROM (for computer)
  • DVD with Menu (for set-top box)

Transfer Process

In the Advent Media production studio, we play your tapes on a vintage Betamax HiFi machine, using time base correction to stabilize video as much as possible. It is digitized first to the professional DV codec as a robust, high-bitrate "source" file (I-frame DV AVI in standard definition). This source file is then compressed to a consumer MP4 "Release" file, ready for playback on any media player device or streaming service.

What You Get
(Future-Proofed Data)

On your flash drive or portable USB hard drive, you will receive BOTH the Source File and the MP4 (compressed) Release File of each item. The Release file can be viewed on any computer or modern TV, shared with your family or uploaded to your favorite streaming service or cloud storage. The Source file is your future-proof master backup, which is best to use when editing the footage, or to transcode to the next new consumer format. You can opt to omit the source files to save cost on storage.

You may also choose to receive output on optical media, either as a computer-readable ROM disc, or a set-top player compatible CD (audio only), DVD (SD only) or BluRay (HD). Authoring fees apply, and discs have capacity limits.

We provide instructions on easy backup strategies to protect your investment.

How it works.

2. Drop Off
3. Pick Up

Turnaround Time:1

Typically within 1-2 weeks. Larger orders may take longer. Rush service available (extra cost).

We're located in NW Columbus, Ohio, very near the OSU airport.
(We accept major carrier shipments if you're not in the Columbus area. You provide the box!)

$85 minimum per order.*

Betamax Video Q&A

  • What do I need to provide for an accurate quote?

    When you request a quote, please provide:

    • The TYPE of materials you want to transfer (Video, movie, stills, etc.) Combination orders are welcome and qualify for greater discounts
    • The LENGTH of program on the tape. If you don't know how full the tape is, just report the number on the case, e.g. T120.
    • The SPEED at which it was recorded, if you know.
    • The QUANTITY of each type of material
    • IF DAMAGED: describe the problem
    • OUTPUT PREFERENCE: whether you want your files on a flash drive or optical drive (DVD)

    If you're unsure about what you have, make an appointment to drop it off and we'll inventory it for you. You'll get a quote to approve before we begin.

  • Can you transfer my tapes in HD?

    All Betamax videos in the US are recorded in "Standard Definition." They are captured in the NTSC-SD format (720x480 pixels, 29.97 frames/second, interlaced), which is also the DVD standard. Assuming the video quality is good, it will look great if viewed on a small TV, especially one with a CRT picture tube, but may look fuzzy on a big HD or 4K TV. For best results view in a window on a computer, or at a distance if using a big TV.

    If the video is "clean" (free of excessive video noise), it may qualify for uprez to HD at extra cost. Tapes recorded at Long Play or Extended Play speeds cannot be successfully uprezzed.

  • How about longer tapes?

    Consumer videotapoes have three speeds. The slower speeds, Long Play (LP) and Super Long Play (SLP). SLP could record 6 hours on a 120 minute tape - with very poor quality.  If a tape exceeds 2 hours, add $15/hour for each additional hour. Note that extended play quality will be less than standard play.

  • Can you transfer time-shifted broadcast programs?

    Occasionally we will find tapes with time-shifted broadcast content. There are copyright issues in the transfer of this material. Unless you have permission, time shifted broadcast cannot be copied. If we find a tape with home video followed by time shifted broadcast, we will transfer the home video and skip the broadcast. You will only be charged for what is transferred.

    Should you insist on transferring copyrighted material, you bear full responsibility for any copyright violation claim.

  • Why would my tape need "baking?"

    Certain brands of tape had a manufacturing defect. The glue that binds the oxide to the tape base would absorb moisture and turn to goo. This gunks up the fragile tape heads and can even jam the machine. To transfer such a tape it needs to be "baked" in controlled conditions for at least 72 hours to dehydrate it, then we have a few hours to transfer it before it turns to goo again. We will advise you if we encounter this problem. Tape baking is an extra cost option.

  • What are my delivery options?

    USB Flash Drive:
    Most of our customers choose delivery on a USB flash drive or portable hard drive. With so many sizes available, we can usually fit all your content on one USB drive. Most modern TV sets and all computers (Mac/PC) will play content from a flash drive. We include instructions on how to backup and safeguard your investment

    DVD
    Some customers prefer delivery on optical disc, usually DVD. While we can "author" the disc to play on a set-top player, DVD has the following disadvantages:

    • Maximum 2-hour runtime (DVD)
    • Cannot reorder or rename files
    • Can lose data after 10-15 years - difficult to back up
    • Players are becoming rare

    We do NOT use cheap DVD recorders to transfer your footage direct to DVD. We create DVD from the robust Source File made at time of capture, meaning full fidelity of the signal is preserved on a USB drive for future use.

    Digital Download
    We do not provide digital upload/download service except if preview or approval is necessary. More on Digital Download

  • Can I provide my own disk for output?

    Yes, we support BYOD (bring your own disk). While we normally provide output on our media (cost varies with drive size), you can instead provide a new-in-box (sealed) flash drive or portable hard disk/SSD at no extra charge. We can estimate drive size needed with your estimate, and confirm it when transfers are complete.

  • Can I make my own copies?

    Absolutely! We make no copyright claim on your content, so you are free to make copies (provided, of course, the material is not copyrighted by a 3rd party.) If you prefer for us to make your copies, they're available for only the cost of the media.

    Additional copies may be ordered from our master files with or without the source files for up to 3 months following delivery. Our masters are scheduled for deletion after 3 months unless you choose the archive option.

Take the next step.
Let us know what legacy materials you have to see how we can help.
Get a quote