Video tapes are delicate! They need to be stored carefully in order to prevent a process called binder hydrolysis, or “sticky tape,” from occurring. Sticky tape causes your videotape to literally stick together like glue, and it will eventually destroy the tape altogether. Frighteningly, there is no way to see whether this process has started outside of trying to play your tape and discovering it’s too late. If you discover your tapes won’t play- don’t fret! We might still be able to help.
Beat “Sticky Tape” to the Punch
How can you prevent your memories from being lost to “sticky tape” damage? The best solution is to convert your tapes to a digital format and cut the chemical reaction out of the equation altogether. Once your tapes are digital, the files are immune from chemical decay, and can be easily stored and shared.
Digital files have another benefit: they’re much easier to watch! No dusty VCR to drag out of the closet, and no risk of your tape being eaten. Your videotapes live on, ready to be enjoyed whenever you want to take a trip down memory lane.
Transfer My Video Tapes
We Transfer Over 20,000 Tapes Per Year
For over 20 years, Astound Video has been preserving nearly every type of video tape under the sun. Our technicians can spot flaws in video tapes from a mile away, and our workflows ensure that each tape transfer must pass multiple quality checks before making it back to you. We can even repair your damaged tapes, safely remove tapes stuck in your VCR or camcorder, and in some cases, reverse “sticky tape” after it’s started to recover your irreplaceable tapes.
But if you want tapes to look their best, not only do you need professional experience, you also need the best equipment. Our custom, purpose-built video tape transfer system is unlike anything else our competitors have to offer. And with hundreds of professionally maintained video tape players spanning dozens of models and formats at our disposal, we ensure the best gear and the right settings are used for each and every individual tape.
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I was delighted to turn over a box of VHS tapes containing my kids' childhoods, and have Astound convert them to digital files I can edit and share with the kids. The folks at Astound are pros; they did a great job. Will continue to use them to recapture old memories to help them last into the future. Five stars!
Connie C.
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I found an old VHS of my mother and I swimming with dolphins and had it transferred to DVD for Christmas, my mother said it was the best gift ever. What a wonderful service and it is priceless. I have already brought in other items to be transferred to DvD. We will keep going back.
Kymberly M.
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Quick, easy, courteous, reasonably priced. The old videos I had are now digitally stored on a flash drive and on my home computer. Now, it's easy to send those family videos to others via the internet. I was surprised at the small file size, yet good quality, of the files.
Jerry M.
Transfer My Video Tapes
Getting Started is Easy
Whether you have one tape or hundreds, we make it easy to get started preserving them. Just gather up your video tapes and bring them in to one of our five Twin Cities metro locations. We’ll help you determine what tape formats you have, discuss your transfer options, provide tips on organization, and prepare a detailed quote.
After you place your order, we carefully label your tapes in the order you indicate and prepare them for transfer. Each tape is then inspected and cleaned as necessary. If we discover tapes that need significant repairs to transfer, we’ll give you a call. We do our best to match transfers to exactly what’s on your tape. Most tapes are not high definition, so your picture will be the absolute best that the tape allows it to be while staying true to the source.
After your tapes are transferred, we create a digital file for each tape, ready for delivery, or a DVD master for each tape. All DVDs utilize top-of-the-line archival-grade media (rated for 100 years) and proven thermal printing technology.
We’ll give you a call as soon as your order is completed, and all you have to do is pick it up and start enjoying and sharing your memories.