If you grew up in Portsmouth, chances are there’s a stack of VHS tapes gathering dust in a cupboard somewhere, birthday parties at Southsea Common, summer holidays on Clarence Pier, Christmas mornings in Old Portsmouth. Those tapes hold precious family moments, but the players that can read them are vanishing. Here’s how to get them digitised, and what to do next so those memories don’t get lost again.
How transfer services work
Most local digitisation services operate by mail or drop-off. You send them your VHS tapes, and they transfer the footage to digital files, typically MP4 or similar, on a USB drive, DVD, or via download link. The process usually takes a few weeks, depending on the number of tapes and the provider’s workload. They use professional-grade equipment that handles tracking errors, dropouts, and other playback issues common with old tapes. Prices are usually charged per VHS tape and depend on the provider, so it’s worth comparing options using the provider checker on this page. Some services also offer additional extras like basic editing, chapter markers, or a physical DVD copy. Always check reviews and ask about the condition of your tapes before sending them. A good service will return your original tapes undamaged and provide a digital file that you can store, share, and back up. In Portsmouth, you can find providers that serve the whole UK by post, so you don’t need to travel. The key is to choose a reputable company that handles your memories with care.
Tape care before digitisation
Before you hand over your tapes, a little preparation can make a big difference. Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and magnetic fields (like speakers or microwaves). If they’ve been in a damp loft, let them acclimatise to room temperature for a day or two to reduce condensation. Rewind each tape fully to the beginning using a working VCR, if you have one, this helps the transfer service avoid mid-tape jams. Check the tape condition: if you see mould (a white or brown powder on the tape surface), do not attempt to play it; mould can spread to other tapes and damage equipment. Some transfer services offer mould treatment for an extra fee. Label each tape clearly with the date and event if you remember, this helps later when you’re organising the digital files. For tapes that are sticky or squeaky during playback, professional baking (heating the tape in a special oven) can temporarily restore them, but only specialised services do this. Most standard transfers assume the tape is in reasonable condition, so if yours is fragile, contact the provider first.
DIY digitisation option
If you’re handy with tech and want to save money, you can digitise VHS tapes yourself. You’ll need a VHS player (check charity shops in Portsmouth or ask on local Facebook groups), a USB capture card (inexpensive and easily bought from eBay or Amazon for about around £20), and a computer with recording software (many free options like OBS Studio work well). Our step-by-step DIY guide covers connecting the cables, setting the input source, and recording in real time. The process is straightforward: play the tape on the VCR, capture the video through the card, and save it as a digital file. Expect one hour of tape to take one hour of recording time. The quality depends on your VCR and tape condition, but it’s usually good enough for family memories. The main downside is the time investment and the need for a working VCR, which are becoming rare. Also, you won’t get professional cleanup of tracking or colour issues. But for a few tapes, it’s a satisfying weekend project.
The problem with digital files on a hard drive
Once you’ve got the files, it’s tempting to think the job is done. But those digital clips often end up in a forgotten folder on a hard drive, just like the tapes in the loft. They’re not easy to share with family, and without dates or names, the memories start to fade. That’s where a family archive like Memrial comes in.
Start preserving tonight, no need to wait
You don’t have to wait until the tapes are digitised. Right now, from your sofa, you can start building a private family timeline with the photos and videos already on your phone. Upload a few clips, pin dates, and tag the people in each memory. You’re the owner with full control, it’s free to start. Once your digitised tapes are ready, they join the timeline too. And because Memrial is a shared space, relatives in Gosport or further afield can add their own old photos and videos. Imagine your cousin in Southampton uploading a clip from the same holiday, all in one place, organised by date. Memrial keeps the originals forever, never compressed or deleted, so your family history stays intact.
Watch parties and colourisation bring memories to life
Memrial isn’t just a storage box. You can watch old home videos together in sync with family far apart, reacting in real time as if you’re on the same sofa. And for faded or black-and-white footage, like that grainy recording of your grandparents’ wedding, colourisation brings it back to vivid life, making the past feel present. Imagine seeing your mum’s childhood birthday party in full colour for the first time.
Start tonight from your sofa
You don’t need a finished archive to begin. Open Memrial on your phone, upload a few videos of your kids at Clarence Pier or a photo from the Spinnaker Tower opening, add a date, and invite your family. The tapes can wait, your memories don’t have to.