Price List

High quality digital encoding using the very latest codecs (compression/decompression algorithms).  Prices reflect an unedited transfer (what you see on the DVD-R is an exact image copy of what was on your tape - that is: a virtual clone. This is the most economical way of preserving your videos. They may always be edited later.

For greatest compatibility with DVD players in the marketplace, we record only using the DVD-R format.

Note also that we record no more than 2 hours of video (SP Mode) on a DVD-R to maintain high quality. Optionally, we can record the DVD in XP mode for the highest possible DVD quality. (1 DVD will hold only 60 minutes each in XP mode)

We can also transfer to DV, MiniDV, Digital8 or DVCAM that has certain advantages over a DVD if future totally lossless editing is to be performed. Because of the wide range of other choices (so this thing doesn't go on for another 50 more pages) please contact us for other types of target media and formats.

Content:  

You are responsible for sending us the correct tapes for transfer. If you do not know what is on them, then don't expect us to know either until we make the transfer.  (We're good at what we do....  just not clairvoyant !)  We do however offer screening services at additional cost to screen the tapes first for content. Unless screening is requested, we transfer all that is recoverable without regard to content - other than spot checking for copyright infringement.

Tape Screening:  

In cases where you have no idea of what is on your media, we offer screening for most formats to identify rough content before proceeding with the transfer. Tape Screening is not a detailed rundown of every detailed minute, but rather is a general screening of the tape for content , sampled approximately every 10 minutes of tape. We then email you with a short description of what was found. In many cases, tape baking charges are in addition to screening, since we often have to clean and bake the tapes first to even get them to play. Screening and associated baking charges apply whether or not you desire the final transfer, since we have already at that point performed much of the time consuming tape preparation work. Labor to screen and email results is in addition to the standard transfer costs if you decide you do want the material. Costs for screening and baking if applicable must be pre-paid in advance.

Below are our prices for transfers to DVD-R in SP or XP mode.  Prices are for the transfer only and do not include the cost of target media, labeling of cases or archival storage cases. Since many folks prefer to use or purchase their own archival cases to match the rest of their collection, the DVD will be shipped in a clamshell case to afford the best protection in shiping. Naturally, archival cases are available. Prices do include color labeling of the DVD itself printed directly onto the DVD or CD. To take advantage of the formats where lower costs for additional copies/recording hours are offered, all tapes of the same format must be organized together. Prices are based on recording time per source tape.

Source video tapes are transferred unedited with the exception of large areas of either blank or unrecoverable areas. Otherwise, the DVD-R or target format will be a duplicate of the master supplied. Our specialty is in the recovery & transfer of extremely rare, vintage or damaged tapes. As such, we do not offer any other editing services as our time is much better spent doing what few others can do .....  There are however, any sites on the web that specialize in post production editing !

Video Transfer costs include the following.

machine setup
Standard tape cleaning (1 cycle)/re-tensioning *
Time Base Correction to RS-170A Broadcast sync timing specifications
setup of video levels (process amplifier)
Chroma and Luminance Noise Reduction when applicable
chroma gain/phase
and up to 10 attempts to recover the video should your tape be damaged.

* Additional cleaning pass/passes are required for tapes exhibiting mold, the effects of hexadecanoic acid or just plain absolutely filthy tapes. Tapes exposed to flood waters will always require additional cleaning. Additional cleaning cycles if required, incur an additional cost. Tape burnishing is not included in the standard included cleaning.

Because of the wide variety of target media types available, media is an additional cost. (See the link to current media prices at the bottom of this page). Clients have the option of supplying their own blank media stock, however supplied tape media must be factory fresh and unopened. Because of DVD quality issues, we use only our own DVD media.

DVD's are labeled and are shipped in either a  jewel case (the Jewell case itself includes no sleeve & is thus not labeled) or a clamshell shipping case that affords better protection during shipment.  For archival storage, we offer DVD protective storage cases that includes labeling at slight additional cost.

Return  Shipping

Domestic Shipments are returned via UPS.   We DO NOT ship via any other carrier. As such, we DO NOT ship to Post Office Boxes.
Shipments are insured though UPS for the value of the transfer only. Actual coverage provided is per their published insurance tariffs.  
Visit or contact UPS  www.ups.com for more information on their insurance tariffs and coverage.

We ship via the USPS ONLY for APO/FPO  addresses or in the case of some International shipments. 

Note: USPS in many cases, has a $200 maximum limit on insurance coverage.  In the case of International shipments, USPS insurance coverage
is ONLY in effect while the package is still in the United States. Once the package has left the US and outside the immediate jurisdiction of the USPS,
there is no insurance coverage.

General Terms

All estimates exceeding $300.00 US will be charged one half the estimated amount before any work is initiated.

In the case of flood, fire, chemical or mold damaged tapes, the cleaning costs must be prepaid. Because of the very nature of such tapes, there is never any guarantees of recovery - the cleaning/preparation charges represent our best efforts.

Jobs are placed in the queue in the order they are received.  In the case of jobs where we did not receive any billing information by the time they became next in line, then those are returned to the end of the queue. After 90 days and 3 attempts at contacting you by ANY combination of phone message or email, we assume you changed your mind and the job and all materials received  we will deem as being abandoned.

 Abandoned Materials: Once deemed abandoned, we still retain the materials for 2 years, after which they will be discarded. We simply haven't the room. There is a $50 additional charge on top of the current rates in effect for locating abandoned materials. In those cases, 100% of the new estimate must be paid up front.

We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover directly. Credit Card info must be included in your shipment or phoned in before work is commenced. When included with your order, please clearly type or print your name EXACTLY as it appears on the card, the type of card, card number, CID number (the last 3 digits of the numbers appearing on the back of the card), the billing address the bank has on file (where the bank sends the statements) and expiration date. Your credit card will not be charged until your order ships or recovery services are initiated. We strongly recommend that you never send any credit card information to anyone in an email. Once your job has been completed and shipped, we do not retain any credit card information other than the last 4 digits of the credit card used and the address the bank had on file for that credit card.

We also accept payment via personal or company checks. Orders will ship, subject to clearing. Note that "bounced" checks will incur a $20 additional service charge (to untangle the accounting "mess" !)   US Postal as well as International Money Orders are accepted as well.

When paying by Check or Money Order, the check amount is to be made out at least 1/2 of the total estimate. Should overpayment be made, a refund check for the difference will be included in the return shipment.

Transfer Costs

All transfer costs are per tape or block time as listed.
We do not pro-rate the actual amount of material transferred in the case of short tapes.
A VHS tape for example that had only  7 minutes of recorded material is billed at $22 - the same
as had it contained 59 minutes since it fell within 0 to 60 minutes of material transferred.