We transfer VHS, VHS-C, Beta, 8mm/Video8, Hi8, Digital8, MiniDV, HDV, and MicroMV videotapes of any length to either DVD or MP4 files.
The first five tapes are $15/tape. Then the price drops to $10/tape. We have a $20 minimum order.
We also convert audio cassettes, hard-drive-based camcorders, and non-copy-protected DVDs. Click the red tabs below for more details about each service.
Each transfer includes the disc, printed label, and a clear clamshell case. We can combine multiple tapes onto a single DVD, but the price is still per tape.
We can only fit two hours on a DVD. Longer tapes will be split up onto multiple DVDs at no extra charge. Be aware, if you’re ordering additional DVD copies of a tape, you may have to duplicate multiple DVDs to get the entire tape.
Our order form is an easy way to provide the specific labeling and number of copies for your DVDs. Click on the DVD Digitizing and Copies tab for the pricing of extra copies. They start at $5/disc and get cheaper the more you buy.
We won’t run your tape if it’s blank or just old movies or TV shows. There’s a $1/tape fee for each tape we don’t transfer.
We transfer your tapes to MP4 (H.264) video files. These files are playable and editable on any Mac or PC, will play on your phone, and can be uploaded to Facebook or YouTube.
We’ll provide a flash drive with your files up to 32GB in size. Larger drives are available from $10 – $20 or supply your own for no extra fees. Plan on needing 1-2 GB of space per hour of tape. Or you may download up to 2 files from a Dropbox link for free.
You can save $1 off each tape by fast-forwarding it to the end of the section you want transferred. (You must request this discount, and it doesn’t apply to Digital8 and MiniDV tapes, or transfers to DVD.)
We won’t run your tape if it’s blank or just old movies or TV shows. There’s a $1/tape fee for each tape we don’t transfer.
We convert camcorder (mini size) DVDs and non-copyrighted regular DVDs to MP4 files for $10/disc.
Camcorder DVDs must be “finalized” on your original camcorder before they’ll play on other devices. Unfinalized discs are $15/disc to an MP4 file only (we cannot finalize the disc without your original camcorder).
Want extra copies of your tape transfers or duplicates of an existing DVD? They get cheaper the more you buy:
1-5 Copies
$5/each
6-20
$4
21-30
$3.50
31-50
$3
51-100
$2.50
101-250
$2
These prices are based on the total number of extra discs in your order. It is not per tape.
We convert standard-size cassette tapes to MP3 or WAV files for $15/tape. We do not transfer other types of audiotapes, reel to reel tape, MiniDisc, or vinyl.
For $15, you receive a single WAV or MP3 file of the entire contents of your cassette tape, minus most silence. We apply noise reduction and normalize overall tape volume to 0 dB.
Bring your own flash or USB hard drive, and there’s no extra fees. We supply flash drives for $5. Or you can download up to 2 files from a provided link for free.
We will burn audio CDs of your cassette tape for an extra $5/tape. This includes the disc, a professionally printed label, and a clear clamshell case. We don’t sell jewel cases or provide printing of inserts.
If your tape contains music or other content with clearly defined breaks between tracks, we can split it up into multiple files/tracks for an additional $10/tape. Other editing services are available for an additional fee.
We don’t transfer 8mm or 16mm film, photos, or slides.
We do not transfer HD formats (other than HDV), broadcast-format tapes (Betacam), full-sized DV, or DVDs with copy protection.
We don’t transfer commercially purchased movies, as these tapes often have copy protection signals.
We don’t buy old VHS tapes.
We don’t transfer reel to reel audiotape, MiniDisc, vinyl, or microcassettes (answering machines tapes).
We do not provide any editing services for the prices listed on this site.
You’ll be required to sign our Limited Liability Agreement before leaving your tapes.
We work by appointment only. Text us at (317) 721-6772 or email transfers@indyvhstodvd.com to set up an appointment or ask about same-day drop-offs. Please note we do not check or respond to voicemails.
We’re located at 2305 Broadway Street in Indianapolis. It’s a bright green house one block west of College at the corner of 23rd and Broadway in the Fall Creek Place neighborhood. If you don’t wish to come inside and prefer curbside service, please let us know!
We accept cash, check, or credit card. Prepay online with credit card, PayPal, Cash App ($ZachRosingProd), or Venmo (@ZachRosing). No payment is due until you pick up your tapes.
Out of the area? Mail items to 2305 Broadway Street, Indianapolis, IN 46205. You MUST include the signed Limited Liability Agreement with your order. Please include your email address on the form. We’ll contact you when finished regarding payment and returning your tapes.
We highly recommend signature confirmation service when mailing, so you’re sure tapes get delivered into our hands. We are not responsible for tapes lost in the mail.
There is an extra 50% fee, with a minimum fee of $50, for same-day transfers.
If your VHS tape is broken/breaks in our machine (snaps lose from its reel), there is a $5 charge to fix it.
More significant repairs (if your tape must be moved to a new shell) are $10.
8mm and MiniDV repairs are $10. MiniDV tapes are quite fragile, and we can’t always repair them.
We offer PAL (United Kingdom) and SECAM format VHS tape transfer for $30/tape.
8mm/Hi8 and MiniDV PAL transfers are $30/tape.
We only convert these tapes to MP4 files.
Footage on a hard-drive-based camcorder is generally a flat $50 to convert to MP4 files. We’ll need to check your camcorder to provide a specific price. Make sure you bring a working power adapter, not a battery.
We charge $1/disk to check a 3½” floppy disk for photos or documents and another $4/disk to copy files off it.
Floppy disks deteriorate over time. You should not assume every file will copy perfectly.
Creating a DVD from a video file is separate from our standard transfer service, as it requires editing time and rendering a DVD image before discs can be burned. Unlike our standard transfers, it is not an automated process.
The fee is generally $50 per master disc, though we must look at your footage before confirming that price.
Transfers to DVD and MP4 are two separate services, as we have to run your tape twice, so each tape is charged twice.
Your privacy is vital to us. Your tapes always stay at our location and are never shown to anyone else. They will never be placed online (unless a download link is requested), and you own all the copyrights to your material.
For MP4 transfers, we keep an archive copy of your footage on our computers for at least two weeks. This allows you a chance to confirm that everything looks correct. We may keep your footage as a backup for an indefinite time beyond that as storage space allows. We are happy to erase your material upon request.
For DVD transfers, your footage is never transferred to a computer, and as such, we do not have a backup of it.
A: Because our process is automated, to only transfer a portion of your tape you must do one of the following:
Because we don’t sit and watch your tapes while they run, videotape transfers to DVD generally run the entire two-hour length of a tape, regardless of what’s on the tape (old TV shows, static, blue screens, etc.)
A: If you make arrangements ahead of time, we can start your transfer immediately, but we ask that you leave and come back. There is an extra charge for same-day service.
Transfers to DVD generally take the length of your tape plus about 10 minutes. We cannot estimate the time needed to transfer to MP4 files, as the time required to render an MP4 file from the captured video is unpredictable.
A: Please be aware that this is a side business for me. If you have a deadline, be sure it’s in writing on your form at dropoff.
A: Possibly. We have a variety of machines that all react a bit differently to “bad” tape. We will do our best to get the highest quality output.
Even if your tape has problems, we will transfer the entire contents as long as our machine does not stop. If you are unsatisfied, we are happy to check and re-run any tape at no charge.
If your tape breaks in our machine (snaps loose from its reel when rewinding or splits in two), a repair fee will be charged. Per the Limited Liability Agreement you signed before leaving your tapes, we cannot be held responsible if this happens.
If your tape does not move correctly while in our machine (gets stuck, spools don’t turn properly), we will not continue attempting a transfer to protect your tape and our equipment. Tapes stuck in a machine that requires disassembly to remove, at our discretion, may be subject to a repair charge.
A: Probably. However, we can’t 100% guarantee that your particular flash drive will work with your specific TV. The reason is somewhat technical.
Most flash drives default to a file system called FAT32. FAT32 has a 4GB size limit for any individual file. If one of your videos exceeds this size, we must format the flash drive with either exFAT or NTFS to overcome this limit. All Smart TVs should work with FAT32, while only some work with exFAT or NTFS.
Please let us know the brand and model of your TV at the time of drop-off, and we’ll attempt to make it work.
A: There is a minor reduction in quality whenever analog video footage is digitized, but generally speaking, your video will play at the same quality as the original tape.
A: Commercially purchased tapes (including most movies, some exercise videos–potentially anything you bought from a store) likely cannot be transferred. This is due to copy protection signals on the tape that physically stop the recorder–not our unwillingness to help you out.
Movies recorded on TV and event videos (dance recitals, school or choral performances, etc.) should transfer fine.
While ripping DVDs to video files is possible, we don’t provide technical support for this nor a guarantee that your DVDs can be ripped. The free Mac and PC program Handbrake will create MP4 files from DVDs.
We recommend our separate videotape to MP4 service for customers needing video files.
A: Labels are printed directly onto the surface of the DVD. They are not stick-on labels (which can damage your machine).
Our order form allows you to pick the label style and write out exactly how the DVDs should be labeled. You may also attach post-it notes to each tape with the desired phrasing.
If you choose not to use the order form or provide titles, the DVDs will be labeled exactly as they are written on the tape’s label (typos, abbreviations, inconsistent punctuation, and all).
We can also leave the DVDs blank.
A: We don’t keep copies of your tapes or DVDs and require an original copy to make duplicates.
A: Indy VHS to DVD is a home-based business. Working from home means flexibility in scheduling drop-off/pick-up of materials. I am often available during the day, evening, and weekend hours. And with none of the overhead involved with office space, we keep our prices low.
A: Zach Rosing Productions has been providing video production services to the Indianapolis community since 2002. Visit our website to see some of the organizations we work with and the projects we’ve worked on. We are primarily a video, photography, and multimedia production company for the Indianapolis arts community.
Your satisfaction is our highest priority. If you are not pleased with a transfer, we will either refund your money (upon returning the DVDs or flash drive) or re-run your tape at no charge.
