Have a question? Need to know? What are the details? Check out our catalogue of frequently asked questions below. If the information you are looking for is not listed below, do not worry, we have your answer, and our memory experts are ready to answer all of your questions. (Digitize and Transfer Guide)
have questions?
general information
WHAT IS THE $25 ADMINISTRATION FEE FOR? The $25 administration fee covers the shipping costs for Transfer Home Movies to mail you an empty memories box along with the return shipping to our facility with the box full of memories Also, when we receive your memories box, you will be assigned your memories expert who will catalogue, organize, and prepare your order for the "digitize and transfer" process. Your assigned memories expert will contact you with any questions about your order.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE MY PROJECT? Project completion can take up to 12 weeks. Expedited services are available.
DO MY ORIGINAL MEMORIES GET RETURNED TO ME? Yes, your original memories are returned to you along with the new modern useable media your digitized memories were transferred to.
HOW ARE MY THUMBDRIVES AND DVDS DELIVERED? Each thumbdrive and DVD is packaged separately in it’s own sleeve.
WHERE IS "TRANSFER HOME MOVIES" LOCATED? We have a store front retail space in Whitman, MA. We love meeting our customers in person and welcome “drop-off” appointments.
CAN I PURCHASE A GIFT CERTIFICATE? Absolutely! You can purchase gift certificates in the amounts of $25, $50, $100, $250, and $1000.
ONCE YOU DIGITIZE MY MEMORIES, WHAT CAN YOU TRANSFER THEM TO? When placing your order, you are prompted to choose what type of memories you would like us to digitize and then you get to choose what type of modern useable format (ex. thumbdrive, DVD, etc.) you would like to have us transfer them to. You get to choose, so you have the end product that fits your needs.
DO YOU HANDLE SMALL PROJECTS AND/OR LARGE PROJECTS? We handle projects of all sizes. We have had projects that include a single memory or thousands of memories and everything in between. There is no such thing as a project too big or too small.
CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE OUR ORGANIZATION’S SALES TAX EXEMPT STATUS? Absolutely! We have worked with non-profits, education institutions, government agencies, and businesses that require us to function as a subcontractor. Please submit a copy of your ST-12 or sales tax certificate.
shipping information
HOW MUCH DOES SHIPPING COST? The $25 administration fee covers the shipping costs for Transfer Home Movies to mail you an empty memories box along with the return shipping to our facility with the box full of memories. When your project is finalized, your assigned Memories Expert will reach out to you and let you know the cost of shipping your completed project back to you. Because of the volume amounts of shipping we handle, we receive USPS shipping discounts and pass savings on to our customers.
WHEN I SHIP MY MEMORIES, IS MY PACKAGE INSURED? Standard shipping insurance of $100 is included with your shipment. The insurance is offered by and any claims are the responsibility of the USPS. Additional insurance is available at store checkout.
WHERE DO YOU SHIP? We ship to any of the 50 US states! International shipping is not available at this time.
HOW DO I PACK MY MEMORIES? When mailing us your memories, please make sure to add filler (newspaper, crumpled paper, foam pieces, etc.) to the box so your memories are not loose during the shipping process.
DO I HAVE TO SHIP MY MEMORIES OR CAN I DROP THEM OFF? While the majority of our customers mail us their memories, our local customers are more than welcome to setup a “drop-off” appointment for an in-person experience with your memories expert. We love meeting our customers in person!
videotapes
DO MY ORIGINAL VIDEOTAPES GET RETURNED TO ME? Yes, after the digitize and transfer process, your original videotapes are returned to you along with the new modern useable format.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE MY PROJECT? Project completion can take up to 12 weeks. Expedited services are available.
WHAT IF MY TAPES ARE BLANK? If your memories expert finds a blank tape, you will be notified and you will receive a credit for that tape can be applied towards additional services for your project.
WHAT IF MY TAPE IS DAMAGED AND NEEDS REPAIR? Transfer Home Movies has the ability to repair videotapes. Repairs options are listed in the store.
WHAT COMES ON MY THUMBDRIVE? Each videotape will be digitized to its own “MP4” file. This is a universal video file type that will play on all computers, smartphones and tablets, as well as any smart TV’s that have the capability to play video. A thumbdrive holds multiple MP4 files and the number of videos on each thumbdrive is based on the size of the files.
WHAT COMES ON MY DVD? We will digitize and transfer each videotape to its own DVD. Since sometimes it is unclear what is on a videotape, we have come to find our customers appreciate them all being separated so each tape is placed on its very own DVD. Your DVDs can be played in any standard DVD player, Bluray player, or computer with a DVD drive (and DVD viewing software).
HOW ARE MY THUMBDRIVES AND DVDS DELIVERED? Each thumbdrive and DVD is packaged separately in it’s own sleeve.
HOW MANY HOURS FIT ON A DVD? DVD’s have the ability to hold up to 6 hours of footage on one DVD. Since almost all videotapes are 6 hours long or less, this works out well for our customers. Rare Videotapes that are longer than 6 hours may be split onto two DVD’s.
DOES IT COST EXTRA IF MY TAPE IS REALLY LONG? We do not charge additional for longer videotapes. While some companies charge a certain price for the first hour and additional after that, we have just one price, no matter the length.
DO THE DVDS GET RETURNED TO ME WITH CHAPTERS? We do not chapter the DVD’s. DVD players have a fast forward feature that allows you skip through a DVD rather quickly.
WILL YOU ENHANCE AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF MY VIDEOTAPES? We do not enhance the quality of videotapes. Since videotapes are analog, there is no method to enhance the quality that would be affordable to the average consumer.
CAN YOU DIGITIZE AND TRANSFER RECORDED TV SHOWS OR HOLLYWOOD MOVIES? It is legal to make digital backups of any Hollywood movies that your own and even view them in the new format. Unfortunately, while it is legal to do so, there is “copyright protection” embedded in most Hollywood movie videotapes that prevent our equipment from doing the work. Often times, it is cheaper to purchase the digital download or buy the DVD online. We have never had any problems with the Digitize and Transfer process with TV Shows.
film reels
DO MY ORIGINAL REELS GET RETURNED TO ME? Yes, after the digitize and transfer process, your original film reels are returned to you along with the new modern useable format.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE MY PROJECT? Project completion can take up to 12 weeks. Expedited services are available.
WHAT COMES ON MY THUMBDRIVE? Film reels will be digitized and combined into 60 minute “MP4” files. This is a universal video file type that will play on all computers, smartphones and tablets, as well as any smart TV’s that have the capability to play video. A thumbdrive holds multiple MP4 files and the number of videos on each thumbdrive is based on the size of the files.
WILL MY FILM REELS STAY IN ORDER? Yes, we can digitize your film reels in any order you would like. Please make sure to label your film reels in the correct order prior to packing them in your memories box.
WHAT COMES ON MY DVD? Film reels will be digitized and combined into 60 minute DVDs. Your DVDs can be played in any standard DVD player, Bluray player, or computer with a DVD drive (and DVD viewing software).
HOW MANY FILM REELS FIT ON A DVD OR THUMBDRIVE? Typically twenty – 3” 8mm film reels (1000 feet) which represents 60 minutes worth of footage will fit on each DVD. Thumbdrives can hold many of these 60 minute files.
WILL YOU ENHANCE AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF MY REELS? Yes. Because we are technically “scanning” the film, we have the ability to fix color, exposure, and orientation. We put every effort into making your memories look the best that we can.
WILL MY FILM REELS HAVE SOUND? If your 8mm film reels have sound, the sound will be captured along with the video to be enjoyed on your DVD and/or Thumbdrive at no additional cost.
CAN YOU REPAIR DAMAGED OR BROKEN REELS? Yes. Most times a “damaged” reel just requires a splice at a broken point. There is no charge for this service.
photos, slides, negatives
WHAT TYPES OF SLIDES CAN YOU TRANSFER? We can Digitize and Transfer most types of slides including, but not limited to: 35mm (135), Super 135, 126, 127, 110, Half 135, Super 127, Mini 110, 120 Medium Format, Glass Slides, Metal Slides, and Stereoscopic Slides.
DO MY ORIGINAL PHOTOS, SLIDES, AND NEGATIVES GET RETURNED TO ME? Yes, after the digitize and transfer process, your original photos, slides, and negatives are returned to you along with the new modern useable format.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE MY PROJECT? Project completion can take up to 12 weeks. Expedited services are available.
WHAT TYPE OF FILES ARE ON THE THUMBDRIVE? JPG. This is a universal photo file type that will be viewable on all computers, smartphones and tablets, as well as any smart TV’s that have the capability to view photos.
HOW MANY PHOTOS, SLIDES, AND NEGATIVES FIT ON A THUMBDRIVE? We use 16GB thumbdrives that can hold thousands of standard photo JPG files.
WILL MY PHOTOS, SLIDES, AND NEGATIVES STAY IN ORDER? While we cannot guarantee the order of your photos, slides, and negatives, if you package your images in groups of 50 or more, we can keep the group of images together in a folder on your thumbdrive. Specialty slides and photos may be scanned separately.
WILL YOU ENHANCE, IMPROVE, OR REPAIR THE QUALITY OF MY PHOTOS, SLIDES, AND NEGATIVES? Yes. Because we are technically “scanning” your media, we have the ability to fix color, exposure, and orientation. We put every effort into making your memories look the best that we can. We also offer complete restoration services for any images that you would like to alter significantly!
audio
DO MY ORIGINAL RECORDINGS GET RETURNED TO ME? Yes, after the digitize and transfer process, your original audio recordings are returned to you along with the new modern useable format.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE MY PROJECT? Project completion can take up to 12 weeks. Expedited services are available.
WHAT TYPE OF FILES ARE ON THE THUMBDRIVE? MP3. This is a universal audio file type that will play on all computers, smartphones and tablets, as well as any smart TV’s that have the capability to play audio files.
HOW MANY RECORDS, CASSETTES, OR REEL TO REEL AUDIO FIT ON A CD OR THUMBDRIVE? A CD holds up to 70 minutes of audio. Audio recordings may all be different lengths so the length of CDs will vary to match the original media. A thumbdrive holds multiple MP3 files and the number of audio recordings on each thumbdrive is based on the size of the files.
WILL YOU ENHANCE AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF MY RECORDS, CASSETTES, OR REEL TO REEL AUDIO? We can sometimes enhance volume and make an audio recording a bit louder. If you would like the audio length edited or background noise, pops, hisses, etc. removed, we can do so for an additional cost.
WILL MY RECORDS, CASSETTES, OR REEL TO REEL AUDIO STAY IN ORDER? If you number your memories we can definitely keep these in order.
WILL MY AUDIO CASSETTES OR RECORDS BE SEPARATED INTO DIFFERENT TRACKS? No. We do not split audio cassettes and records into separate tracks.
CAN YOU REPAIR MY CASSETTES, REEL TO REEL AUDIO, AND RECORDS? Transfer Home Movies has the ability to repair audio cassette tapes. Repairs options are listed in the store. Most times a “damaged” Reel to Reel audio just requires a splice at a broken point. There is no charge for this service. Records are very hard to repair and typically cannot be fixed.
digital media, files, duplication
DO MY ORIGINAL MEDIA AND FILES GET RETURNED TO ME? Yes, after the digitize, transfer, and/or duplication process, your original media and files are returned to you along with the new modern useable format.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE MY PROJECT? Project completion can take up to 12 weeks. Expedited services are available.
WHAT TYPE OF FILES ARE ON THE THUMBDRIVE? MP3(audio), JPG (photo), and MP4 (video) are universal formats that will play on all computers, smartphones and tablets, as well as any smart TV’s that have the capability to play these types of files.
DOES THE FILE TYPE CHANGE DURING THE DUPLICATION PROCESS? No, during the duplication process, we make an exact copy of your original media.
HOW ARE MY FILES ORGANIZED? Each memory card, thumbdrive, and hard drive will have it’s own folder of the files contained within on your new thumbdrive or data DVD.
IF MY MEDIA IS NOT WORKING, CAN YOU RECOVER MY FILES? Sometimes. We do offer basic recovery services which often times can recover data from media that is not working properly.
HOW MANY FILES WILL FIT ON A THUMBDRIVE or DVD? Thumbdrives and DVDs can hold multiple MP3, JPG, and MP4 files and the number of files that will fit on each thumbdrive or DVD is based on the size of the files.
HOW IS MY DUPLICATION PROJECT DELIVERED? CD, DVD, and Bluray are delivered in bulk on unlabeled discs on spindles. Thumbdrives are packaged together and delivered in bulk. Custom labeling and packaging is available.
WHAT MEDIA FORMATS ARE INCLUDED IN YOUR DUPLICATION PRICING? Pricing includes all single layer CD-R, DVD-R, and BD-R, and (up to) 32GB thumbdrives.
ready to start the process?
To simplify the process, a $25 administration fee is added to every order and includes a "memories box" that comes shipped to you along with a prepaid return shipping label to make it easy for you to get us your memories. - (how it works)
