Revisiting Precious Memories
Do you have old home movies that you can't play anymore? Maybe they're on VHS, camcorder tapes, or Super 8 film. Now's the perfect time to bring those memories back to life with digital copies that are easy to watch, share, and keep safe for the future.
Why Choose Dan Hendley Digital?
I know how important home movies can be. They're often a look back at precious memories we don't want to lose. That’s why I never cut corners or rush the process. I take the time to handle each order carefully, so your memories are properly preserved from beginning to end.
The Process
I start by inspecting each tape to check for dirt or mold. Mold can severely impact video quality and often damages both the tape and the player. I carefully examine each tape and use specialized cleaning equipment on any tape that requires it. Film formats like 8mm and Super 8 tend to attract more dirt so I always clean them before proceeding.
Next, I capture the video using high quality and well maintained equipment. At the end of this process I have a digital capture that still has some room for improvement.
The last step before delivery is post processing. My goal is to improve the image quality by carefully applying a few subtle changes without going too far and losing important detail. This often includes black level correction, deinterlacing, noise reduction, and a light sharpening.
Finally, it's time for delivery. The final video(s) are transferred to a USB drive (or multiple drives, if needed) and sent to you.
Pricing and Formats
Here are my 2025 rates. I’ll be updating my pricing next year to offer tiered packages, but for now every order includes my premium cleanup service at the basic price.
VHS $25 each
Mini DV $25 Each
DVD $10 Each
Mini DVD $10 Each
8mm and Super 8 film $0.40 per foot
Have home movies on a format not listed here?
Email me at dan@danhendleydigital.com and I’ll see what I can do.
Shipping and USB/DVD Costs
For orders over $150, I offer free return shipping and include the first copy of your digitized home movies on USB or DVD at no extra cost.
Additional copies (or first copies for smaller orders) start at $30 per USB (depending on storage needs) and $10 per DVD.
Please note, the cost of shipping home movies to Dan Hendley Digital is the customer’s responsibility.
For all customers in Guelph, you can choose to skip shipping costs altogether by requesting that I pick up and drop off from your location.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you recommend transferring to DVD or USB?
In most scenarios I recommend USB. It's easier to copy and share the files. In many cases the video quality is also better when delivered on USB.
How long does it take to transfer my tapes?
Most orders are completed within 1–3 weeks depending on quantity and condition. Large orders may take longer, but you’ll get an estimated completion time when you book.
Can I drop off and pickup my home movies in person?
I work from my home and due to privacy and security reasons I don't offer pickup and drop off from my location. However, if you live in Guelph I’m happy to come to you for pickup and drop-off. For all other customer, shipping is the best option.
Do you return my original tapes?
Yes, you’ll always get your original tapes back unless you request to have them disposed of after digitization.
Do you charge for blank tapes?
No I don't. If a tape from your digitization order has no footage on it, you won't be charged for the tape. Return shipping still applies for orders under $150.
My tapes are old. Can you get good quality footage?
Most VHS tapes are now degrading which is why it's important to get them digitized sooner rather than later. They typically degrade by 10-20% after 10-25 years and this does impact the quality. Some other factors that impact quality are where and how the tapes were stored.
I'm often able to get good quality footage from older tapes but still expect there to be imperfections depending on their condition. I regularly maintain my equipment and also clean mouldy tapes when necessary to ensure I'm preserving these memories the best I can.
Can you improve the quality of my home movies?
I use high-quality equipment and careful post-processing techniques to bring the best out of your home movies. This helps reduce unwanted noise, sharpen details, and improve colour. However, the quality is still dependent on the condition of the original recordings, so results will vary.