Articles & Guides
Expert advice on preserving your old media — from VHS tapes and cine film to photographs and audio cassettes. Written by the same team that handles professional transfers every day.
How Much Does It Cost to Convert VHS to Digital?
A transparent look at what you will actually spend — whether you do it yourself or use a professional service. UK prices, no fluff.
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How We Digitise Your Tapes
You send us your tapes. We send back digital files. But what actually happens in between? Here is a transparent look at every step of our process, from the moment your parcel arrives to the day your files and originals go back home.
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What Is VHS?
The cassette tape that defined a generation of home video. Here is the full story of VHS — how it works, why it mattered, and what to do with your tapes now.
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VHS vs Betamax: The Format War Explained
It is the most famous technology battle of the home-video era. Here is the real story of why VHS won — and why better picture quality was never enough to save Betamax.
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VHS to USB or Cloud — Which Is Right for You?
Your tapes have been converted to MP4 files. Now comes the practical question: how do you want to receive them? Here is an honest comparison of USB and cloud delivery, and why the best choice often depends on how you actually plan to watch, store, and share your family footage.
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What Is Hi8?
If you had a camcorder in the 1990s, there is a good chance your tapes are Hi8. Here is what the format is, how to identify it, and what to do with your tapes now.
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What Is MiniDV?
The little blue cassette that brought digital video to the masses. Here is everything you need to know about MiniDV — and why your tapes need attention.
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How to Pack Tapes for Posting
Your tapes are irreplaceable. Five minutes of careful packing makes sure they arrive in the same condition they left.
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Slides vs Negatives: What's the Difference?
They are both small, transparent, and come in old boxes. But slides and negatives are different formats that need different scanning approaches.
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What Happens After You Place Your Order
You have pressed the button. Here is exactly what happens next, step by step, so there are no surprises.
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The Best Gift for Parents Who Have Everything
They do not need another scented candle. They need to see their children's first steps again.
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What to Do with Old Video Tapes
They have been sitting in a cupboard for years. Here are your options — ranked from most to least useful.
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How to Scan Old Photos at Home
A practical guide to getting good digital copies of your printed photographs, slides, and negatives — without damaging the originals.
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Mouldy VHS Tapes: Can They Be Saved?
White powder, fuzzy patches, musty smell — mould on VHS tapes is more common than you think, and it spreads. Here is what to do (and what not to do).
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When Did VHS Come Out?
VHS first arrived in Japan in 1976 and reached UK consumers in 1978 — but the real story is how quickly it took over home life, and why those tapes are now too old to ignore.
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Where to Buy a VHS Player in 2026
VCRs stopped being made years ago, but your tapes are still sitting in cupboards, lofts, and spare rooms. Here is where UK buyers still find VHS players in 2026, what can go wrong with a second-hand deck, and when digitising is the better choice.
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Why Convert VHS to Digital?
Your VHS tapes are not going to last forever — and neither are the machines that play them. Here are the real reasons to convert your collection now, not “one day”, while the footage is still recoverable.
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Can You Fix Damaged VHS Tapes?
Your tape is snapped, chewed, mouldy, or the shell is cracked. Is the footage lost? Often, no — but the safest answer is not always a simple home repair. Here is what can usually be fixed, what can sometimes be recovered, and what is genuinely beyond saving.
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How Long Do VHS Tapes Last?
The honest answer is: probably less time than you think. Here is what happens to magnetic tape over the decades — and what you can still do about it.
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Types of Cine Film Explained
Your family cine reels could be any of four common formats. Here is how to tell them apart — and why that matters before anyone tries to project or digitise them.
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