Tape to Disc Transfer
Many of us have recordings of concerts, business meetings, conferences, weddings, funerals and other family events on audio cassette tapes, VHS tapes and Mini DV (Camcorder) tapes. These tapes are precious to us as they often contain the only physical documentation of the event.
Unfortunately, cassette tapes are prone to severe degradation with time and usage and the quality of the recording is often poor. The tapes can tear, stretch and contract, lose their linear magnetic qualities and become damaged by the tape players themselves. Fortunately, a simple solution is at hand.
What do we offer?
We provide a service which basically converts your tapes to CD or DVD. We will even improve the sound/video quality and clean up the tape where necessary. This serves to safeguard your recordings from further degradation and makes it possible to easily back up or make copies using a home computer. The result is a much more intelligible, sonically and visually pleasing recording at a strong volume and/or with a better video quality stored on a more stable medium: CDs or DVDs
What options do I have to improve sound quality?
Our basic package offers the transfer from cassette tape to CD with some basic cleaning and level enhancement. However, we also offer a digital mastering service which 'bolts on' to this, to make the recordings sound as good as they possibly can (essential for tape recordings which have been made at poor quality and recommended for all transfers).
How much does it cost? (prices in GBP)
The prices are given in the table below. The basic package is the price on the left; this includes audio polishing for audio cassette tapes.
The extra cost for quality enhancement* is given on the right (the total cost for the second option being the sum of the two prices).
| Total tape length: | Price for transfer: | Extra cost for enhancement: |
| 30 minutes | 25.00 | 12.00 |
| 45 minutes | 29.95 | 15.30 |
| 60 minutes | 33.20 | 16.80 |
| 90 minutes | 37.70 | 19.80 |
* Enhancement can be applied to both video and audio:
- Video Enhancement can be obtained by applying effects that will improve the quality of the image. These include sharpness, luminosity, hue and saturation.
- Audio Enhancement can be obtained via the mastering process.
Alternatively, you may have an audio recording, which you would prefer to be divided into tracks on the CD, or a video that requires DVD chapters and menus.
The above rate assumes that no track division is necessary. If you would prefer your audio tape to be transferred on a track by track basis, this can be done at a flat rate of 10 Pounds per track. If you wish to add chapters to your DVD this can be done at a flat rate of 10 Pounds per DVD. If you require menu design, please contact us to discuss your needs. All prices include VAT. Postage will be quoted based upon the number of tapes and CDs being returned to you.
How long does it take to do the job?
This really depends on what you send us. As a guide, allow 2 working days, plus an extra working day for every 60 minutes of audio and 4 working days plus two extra working days for 60 minutes of video. For example, if you are sending us two 90-minute tapes, allow the initial 2 days, plus an additional 3 working days for the 180 minutes of audio. If you have large quantities of recordings to be converted, please contact us to arrange time scheduling.
What do we require from you in order to do the transfer?
We will obviously require your tape(s) and a covering letter describing any key points in the recording that need special attention e.g. 'I cannot hear the speaker very clearly between 45 min and 50 min'. We will also require payment for the full amount before work can commence.
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