Racheli Cooper, Chief Editor.
⏳ Do you want to skip the read and get right to my pick? The best VHS to digital service for most people is iMemories.
Introduction to our Guide to the Best VHS to Digital Service
Welcome to our guide on the best VHS to digital services!
The advent of VHS recording technology in 1977 heralded the coming of a new age in home entertainment, moreso when camcorder technology – where one could shoot footage directly into a videocassette – was introduced in 1985.
But even the best forms of technology in any given era will find itself obsolete sooner or later, and the world saw the end of VHS in 2003 when digital video discs (DVDs) became the medium of choice for low-end distribution.
Despite this end-of-service scenario, many of us who had camcorders from the mid-1980s to well into the 1990s still have our videotapes from that era but have neither the means to view them (unless you have a particularly well-preserved and functional VHS player) nor equipment with which to convert them in the comfort of our homes.
So what is the best company to convert VHS to digital? For those with that quandary to deal with, today’s review of the best VHS to digital service is for you.
Our List of the Best VHS to Digital Services
- iMemories – best overall VHS conversion service (🏆 Editor's Pick!)
- ScanCafe – best in customer service
- Legacybox – best for people willing to wait
- DigMyPics – best technical team
Comparison Table of the Best VHS to Digital Services
| Feature | 🏆 iMemories (Editor's Pick!) | ScanCafe | Legacybox | DigMyPics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Services Offered | VHS to digital conversion, and others | VHS to digital conversion, and others | VHS to digital conversion, and others | VHS to digital conversion, and others |
| Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
| Turnaround Time | 2 – 3 weeks from date of approval | 3 – 4 weeks | 10 – 12 weeks | Approximately 4-6 weeks |
| Shipping | Prepaid shipping kit provided | Prepaid shipping kit provided | Prepaid shipping kit provided | Customer needs to provide own shipping container and means of delivery |
| Customer User Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.6 out of 5 | 4.0 out of 5 | 3.0 out of 5 |
| Online Access | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Editing and Enhancements | Digital remastering | Full-frame scanning and color correction | Digital remastering | AI previews and removal of blank spots |
1. iMemories (Editor's Choice!)
Overall Best VHS to Digital Converter Service
Key Features
- Excellent digitization process to ensure optimal sound and visual quality;
- Output Formats
- Link access to cloud with app-based streaming;
- Secure thumb drive or external hard drive
The thing about iMemories is that the service delivers in terms of 100% totally digital output when most of its competitors are still shipping DVDs back to customers. (Though, yes: it does still offer conversions to either DVD or Blu-Ray disk.)
Plus, we love how the app lets you stream remastered files in pretty much the same way as Netflix or HBO GO. You can also use the service to share reformatted / remastered files to your social media accounts, giving friends and family the opportunity to relive precious moments caught on camera. For these reasons, we consider it the best place to convert VHS to digital.
Pricing
Click here to check current pricing details of this best VHS to digital service.
Money-back guarantee
No cancellations are allowed. They also do not entertain refund or return requests on currently processed services.
Where to get service
To ensure that you’re getting the real deal, transact with the service through its official website.
2. Legacybox
Best Option for People Willing to Wait
Key Features
- Submission Box
- Varying capacity from two to 40 analog materials for digital conversion;
- How-to guide;
- Security barcodes for safe submission; and
- Pre-printed shipping label
- Output Formats
- Link access to cloud with unlimited downloads and a 90-day secure backup;
- Secured thumb drive; and
- Burning to standard DVD.
Legacybox is one of the best service to convert VHS to digital, and we really appreciate the thorough job its technicians do in terms of transforming and remastering old films into something that looks just-shot.
But while we like the overall quality of Legacybox’s output as both sound and imaging come out clear, what we don’t like is the length of time it takes for them to do it. The average span of time per conversion job runs from ten to twelve weeks, so it’s probably not the best service to consider if you need your footage ASAP.
Still, it is living proof that good jobs to produce good results should never be rushed.
Pricing
Click here to check current pricing details of this high quality digitisation service.
Money-back guarantee
This best VHS to digital service allows refunds within 30 days of an order's completion. Again, refunds are not allowed on completed works.
Where to get service
We recommend that you get this best VHS to digital conversion service through the official website to ensure quality service and output.
3. ScanCafe
Best in Customer Service
Key Features
- Service options include standard file digitization as well as multimedia remastering;
- Output Formats
- Link access to cloud with unlimited download;
- Secured thumb drive; and
- Burning to standard DVD.
So why is ScanCafe one of the best company to transfer VHS to digital?
If you need someone to digitize your entire library of VHS footage in one fell swoop, then ScanCafe is your best bet. This is one of the few services we have encountered that actually guides its customers through each step of the conversion process, and we like how you are given the assurance that they can easily digitize 80% or more of the material you send them.
The other key selling point for us is that you don’t have to worry about your footage getting lost, stolen, or damaged in the process of making its way to them: ScanCafe gives customers the assurance that they will replace any and all lost or damaged tapes.
Pricing
Click here to check current pricing details of this best VHS to digital conversion service.
Money-back guarantee
This best photo digitizing service allows refunds within 30 days, but this policy does not apply on completed works.
Where to get service
To ensure you get the best VHS to digital conversion service, contact ScanCafe only through their official website.
4. DigMyPics
Best Technical Support
Key Features
- Snapshot creation from VHS;
- Immediate access to converted files;
- Blank video trimming
The best thing about DigMyPics is that you don’t need to wait so long for your converted videos to be delivered. DigMyPics boasts of innovative AI technology that allows customers to preview the preliminary conversions to point out areas for editing. We also appreciate how the service streamlines the finished product by deleting any blank spots on the original footage.
Pricing
Click here to check current pricing details of this best VHS to digital converter service.
Money-back guarantee
No cancellations are allowed. Returns and refunds are subject to the company's discretion.
Where to get service
Protect yourself as a consumer; reach out to the best VHS conversion service only through their official website.
Why Would You Need the Best VHS to Digital Service?
Even in the best case scenario, the lifespan of an average VHS cassette runs between ten and 25 years – and not even the best of care can do much for the ravages of age. For one, video cassettes lose up to 20% of their upper end video signal; this means you would get muddled or fuzzy images even with a clean tape deck head.
Also, if videotapes are not kept in a climate-controlled facility, humidity, mold, dust, and temperature extremes will eventually warp the tape ribbon itself. Also, the tape used for videocassettes is magnetic by nature and, over time, you may have inadvertently exposed it to items like stereo speakers which could also cause the ribbon quality to deteriorate.
That said, there are three key benefits to converting VHS footage into digital files:
- Better Accessibility – The problem with VHS tapes is that you need special equipment in order to play them. Converting the footage within to more contemporary digital formats allows you to playback memories on your phone, computer, and – especially if you own a SmartTV – television;
- Less is More When it Comes to Storage – One of the key problems with video cassettes is that they do occupy physical space. If you need to declutter your home, you may be forced to part with them and ditch them into a dumpster. Conversion allows you to get rid of the old tapes while keeping precious memories in handier, more compact files in an external hard drive or even your desktop or laptop; and
- Improved Visual and Sound Quality – One key benefit of digital conversion is a little thing referred to by experts as remastering. When files are converted from analog to digital formats, technicians can clean up the footage, improve the sound quality by removing feedback (and, with some services, even distracting background noises,) and even sharpen images that may have already faded over time.
How Did We Choose the Best VHS to Digital Services?
The main criteria we used in today’s rundown of the top four VHS to digital conversion services involves the following:
- Overall quality of output – Sure your files have been turned into digital files, but how’s the quality? The best of the best services send back files that are about as sharp and clear as the original footage was on the day it was shot – possibly even better;
- Secure submission – Our best bets were gauged based on how well they kept customers’ original materials safe during transport, conversion, and return without compromising quality or losing even a single item; and
- Value for money in terms of service delivery and product quality.
Conclusion to our Best VHS to Digital Service Guide
When it comes to converting VHS to digital services, it’s iMemories that takes the top slot for us. We like the way it takes analog files and brings them into the 21st century through its own streaming service. In doing so, it not only preserves your precious visual mementos, but it also gives you a more convenient way to share them with others.
Please note that, in the interest of getting legitimate services, we recommend that you reach out to the best VHS to digital conversion services through their official websites. You may also get great discounts for multiple purchases. Beware of purchasing from marketplace sites claiming to be resellers so to avoid issues with refunds and returns in the future!
FAQ
Can I use any of these services to convert commercially produced videotapes?
Given copyright laws – both domestic and international – none of these services accept commercially produced films or television show compilations for conversion.
Is cloud storage an option for these services?
Yes. Our big three players – iMemories, Legacybox, and ScanCafe – all offer digital downloads and you can keep your digitized files in their respective cloud servers for a fee you can pay either monthly or annually.
If you've read all the way through this best VHS to digital service guide, we are grateful. We have reviewed all these products in detail, feel free to check them out;
Natalia Sommers is a Gadget Reviewer and Writer at Pixoneye.com, the leading destination for customer ratings and reviews of consumer products. With over 10 years of experience in tech journalism, Natalia is a seasoned writer and reviewer who is passionate about exploring new gadgets and emerging technologies. She is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she earned a degree in Physics and developed a deep understanding of science and technology.
As a Gadget Reviewer and Writer, Natalia is responsible for researching and testing the latest consumer products to provide readers with insightful and helpful reviews. She is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest trends in tech and is passionate about helping consumers make informed purchasing decisions. Natalia is also a DIY enthusiast and a proponent of mindful living. Join our community today and discover the best consumer products with Pixoneye.com.
Leave a Reply