Vtape makes supervised, professional digital files from a wide range of analogue and digital video and audio tape formats. All videos are run through a time base corrector, and we can provide standard digital outputs such as ProRes, H.264, and uncompressed 10-bit QT. Normal turnaround time is 2-3 weeks (except for jobs involving large numbers of items, which will take longer!). Rush jobs must be arranged ahead of time, and cannot always be accommodated. Rush jobs will be charged an additional fee. Credit card information must be supplied prior to the job being accepted.

We can digitize from any of the tape formats listed below. N.B.: we are no longer accepting ½-inch open-reel tapes for digitization.

AVAILABLE VIDEO FORMATS

SD, HD, or UHD digital video files can be provided in any of the following:

• Uncompressed 10-bit QuickTime
• ProRes .422, ProRes LT, or ProRes HQ
• H.264 .mp4

Prices below are per tape (and do not include taxes):

Up to 30 minutes: $120

31 to 60 minutes: $150

61 to 90 minutes: $180

91 to 120 minutes: $210

Charges apply only for video material captured (e.g., if there are only 28 minutes of recorded material on a 60-minute tape, the charge would be for “up to 30 minutes,” rather than for the 60-minute potential length of the tape).

Clients should supply a hard drive for file storage along with the original tapes to be digitized. If digital delivery via Aspera download link is preferred, a 20% additional fee will be charged. If we encounter any specific technical issues with a particular job or tape, we will contact you to discuss options.

Payment information: Credit card information must be supplied prior to the job being accepted. If a job is completed and the client has not picked up the original materials and/or hard drive within 60 days, unless specific arrangements have been made, Vtape reserves the right to ship the materials back to the client at their expense.

If you have any specific questions, please contact us at tech@vtape.org.

AVAILABLE AUDIO FORMATS

Vtape can also provide professional digitization from common audio formats:

• 1/4-inch open-reel
• Audio cassette
• DAT (N.B.: our DAT deck is currently non-functional, as of Aug. 2024)
• 12-inch, 10-inch, or 7-inch vinyl records
• Inquire about open-reel tapes; prices will vary from standard rates

Digital audio files can be provided in the following formats:

• .mp3
• .aiff
• .wav

Prices below are per tape or disk (and do not include applicable taxes):

Up to 30 minutes: $30

31 to 60 minutes: $50

61 to 90 minutes: $70

91 to 120 minutes: $90

Charges apply only for audio material captured (e.g., if there are only 28 minutes of recorded material on a 60-minute cassette, the charge would be for “up to 30 minutes,” rather than for the 60-minute potential length of the tape).

Clients should supply a hard drive for file storage along with the original materials to be digitized. If digital delivery via Aspera download link is preferred, a 20% additional fee will be charged. If we encounter any specific technical issues with a particular job, we will contact you to discuss options.

Payment information: Credit card information must be supplied prior to the job being accepted. If a job is completed and the client has not picked up the original materials and/or hard drive within 60 days, unless specific arrangements have been made, Vtape reserves the right to ship the materials back to the client at their expense.

If you have any specific questions, please contact us at tech@vtape.org.

Pigeon by Emmie Tsumura from her installation Pigeonhole (2023).