DVD to Digital Conversion - Digital Media Transfer Service

Base Pricing*

  • Camera Cards (SD, CF, Memory Stick) starting at $5 per GB
  • Camera discs ("finalized" Mini DVD) $15/disc with conversion to MP4
  • Full size video DVD $32/disc, with conversion to MP3/MP4
  • "Bare" or portable hard disks (USB, PATA, SATA): Ask (Specify drive size)

Other options available. Request quote for more info.
Before quantity discount. Flash drive additional (or provide your own). Shipping not included. Minimum order $85.

(NOT a data recovery service. Drives must be working.)

Request a Quote

Legacy Video DVD and Memory Card Transfers

It seems like only yesterday, tapeless and filmless capture became a reality. The miracles of videotape are now relegated to museums as everything now writes to some sort of memory device. And just like that, many early devices have become obsolete. We can help retrieve your content from devices you can't use anymore. Perhaps more importantly, these legacy storage formats have a shelf life (see Q&A, below). We can preserve precious data from vulnerable storage. Supported digital media formats include:

  • 3.5" Floppy Disks
  • Mini-DVD-R Camera Discs (Finalized)
  • Compact Flash (CF) memory cards
  • Secure Digital (SD) memory cards
  • Sony Memory Stick memory cards
  • Writable Optical Discs: DVD+R / DVD-R
  • Old Hard Drives: USB portables, PATA, SATA

Manufactured, copyrighted DVD titles (Hollywood movies or software) not eligible for transfer.
DVD camera discs require a "finalizing" step within the camera. If discs were not finalized, please provide camera so discs can be properly processed.

Options
(Extra cost)

Enhancements:

  • Obsolete format conversion
  • File organizing & renaming
  • Vertical video correction
  • Transcode to current format

Deliverables:

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

Transfer Process

There are three stages in this data transfer process. First, we load your disk, disc or chip into a compatible player then copy the data to a hard disk. Second, if necessary, we transcode the files to make them playable on modern equipment. Finally we copy these files to the release flash drive, putting them in folders that relate to source devices.

What You Get

We'll copy your data to a fresh USB flash drive or portable hard drive, in folders related to the items you provided. If we transcode items, you'll also have the source files, which could be beneficial for future editing or transcoding to other formats.

We include instructions to backup this data 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.*

Video Card & Disc Q&A

  • What do I need to provide for an accurate quote?
    • The TYPE of materials you want to transfer (Video, movie, stills, etc.) Combination orders are welcome and qualify for greater discounts
    • If a tape, 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.
    • If a tape, the SPEED at which it was recorded, if you know. 
    • And the QUANTITY of each type of material
    • If tape is damaged, describe the problem
    • Whether you want your files on a flash drive or optical drive (DVD)
  • Why would I need to copy my digital media?

    All digital media have a "shelf life."

    Writable optical media use organic dye layers to store the data, while manufactured recordings use a more permanent aluminum layer with physical pits. The organic material can fade if exposed to UV radiation or adverse environments, can grow mold between the layers, and some varieties just had manufacturing defects. It's important to recopy writable optical media about every 10 years, or back it up on a hard disk and keep the hard disk backed up too.

    Hard disks can also lose magnetic potency over time. Generally they fade more gradually than optical media, but the mechanics and electronics in the drive can fail, so it's important to keep redundant backups.

    Memory cards and flash drives can also lose data over time, and they're so small they're easily lost or broken. We never use flash drives for long term storage, and when we copy a memory card, we make sure it's backed up to at least one other device before clearing the card for reuse.

    Backup for all of the above is easy to do yourself, provided you have means to read the old media. If you don't have the devices to read the media, you need this service.

  • How do I prepare for transfer?

    Just get a quote, then bring them over. It's best if they're labeled, but if they're unlabeled we'll attach a number to the device and place its images in a folder with the corresponding number.

  • Can you transfer pre-recorded discs (Hollywood movies, etc.)?

    No. Not only is this a violation of copyright law, many commercial discs are encoded with copy protection schemes that impede transfer. We will not override copy protection.

    You will have a far better viewing experience buying a digital download from a legitimate source.

  • What about damaged digital media?

    THIS IS NOT A DATA RECOVERY SERVICE. If the media is unreadable, we can recommend data recovery vendors you may wish to try. If the drive is working and can be repaired via standard disk checking utilities, we will attempt a repair (with your authorization.)  If a single file is corrupt, we will attempt to retrieve it, but there are no guarantees.

  • 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/Blu-Ray ROM
    Optical discs are an option, but images cannot be renamed or reordered on disc. If copied to a computer, files may be edited after removing the read-only attribute.

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