If you’re the enterprising type, you can look into ways to convert VHS to DVD yourself – either by buying a VHS to DVD recorder, or by recording your VHS tapes to your computer, and then creating and burning a DVD.  But if you’re like most of us (somewhat lazy, that is), this is not your best option, simply because you will never finish the job.

Luckily, there are many commercial video transfer services out there – either locally or on the internet, that are ready and able to help you with transferring your VHS to DVD, and offer many services that might be useful to you. Here are some of the key things to look for when choosing a VHS to DVD company.

1. Is the VHS to DVD service local or national?
Local VHS to DVD services offer many advantages to the customer with only a few tapes – they are local, you know where your VHS tapes will be, and you can typically get some good service & turnaround.  But local video shops can also be on the more expensive side of the equation – usually charging $30 per VHS tape (and more!) – and they typically only use VHS to DVD recorders to handle the conversion.

A national VHS to DVD service will most likely offer the best value, with costs as low as $7.95 per VHS to DVD transfer.  While you will need to ship your videotapes to their facility, just be sure to use a trackable Shipping Method via UPS or FedEx for complete peace of mind.  With significantly higher volumes, most National VHS to DVD companies offer a higher quality transfer, complete with thumbnail chapter menus and packaging.

2. Can they repair broken or damaged tapes?
After years of storage and being moved around from one location to another, some of your VHS tapes may have had their case broken or the tape itself may have torn and be in need of a splice.  This is a common occurrence, and most VHS to DVD conversion companies will offer tape repair services for a per-tape cost ranging from $19 to $39 per tape, depending on the severity of the damage.  Sometimes the repair technician will simply move the physical tape reels to a new cassette….other times they may need to actually splice your broken tape back together.

3. Do they provide a chaptered DVD?
Most VHS to DVD conversion services will include what is called a thumbnail chapter menu as part of the VHS conversion service.  These chapter menus allow you to easily navigate through your DVD during playback, skipping ahead in time-based increments or on scene changes.

4. Can you combine tapes onto one DVD
Many VHS to DVD services will allow you to combine multiple tapes onto one DVD, as long as the total run-time of the DVD does not exceed two hours.  Most times, you will encounter a “2nd tape fee” for this combining service, which can range from $5 to $10 per extra tape.

Chances are you don’t even have a way to playback the myriad of videotape formats that hold your home video memories captive.  VHS players have been replaced by DVD or BluRay DVD players, so you can’t play your VHS or VHS-C tapes back.  Your Hi8 or 8mm cameras most likely doesn’t work anymore, so you can’t hook it up to your TV to watch your videos.  You may have even gone through 2 or more of the newer digital video formats and don’t have a way to watch video you shot two or three years ago.

Or maybe you just don’t have the time to record 50+ hours of video, learn a video editing program, learn a DVD-authoring program and then try to burn DVDs that will actually play on your DVD player.

If this sounds like you, then a VHS to DVD Transfer Service may be a great way to save you time while you preserve your video memories.

What to look for in a VHS to DVD Transfer Service

Well, first you want to find a reputable VHS to DVD Conversion service.  A search on google will find you many options, with some of the more reputable (and who have been in business for almost 10 years each) companies being stashSpace.com VHS to DVD Conversion Service, Yes Video and HomeMovieDepot.com.

You also want to look to see what customization options you have with the conversion service.  A company like stashSpace gives you full online video editing control along with DVD customization options, while a company like Yes Video just lets you get a straight burn DVD for each tape.

You shouldn’t worry that your videos will most likely be sent off in the mail to the video conversion service. As long as you send your tapes via a trackable shipping method (UPS / USPS with Delivery Confirmation / FedEx), you should be fine).  Chances are your local photo store is shipping off your order to a wholesale conversion house anyway, or doing the transfer on a low-quality VHS to DVD recorder.