Three ways to receive a VHS recording
The published VHS prices are $25 per tape for digital conversion, $30 per tape for DVD and $35 per tape for digital plus DVD. That gives you a concrete starting point for choosing an output. A digital copy is useful when you want to organize recordings on a computer and share them privately with relatives. A DVD may suit someone who already watches discs; the combined option provides both.
The website describes its digital formats as upload and email friendly and accessible through TVs or DVD players with USB capability. Ask which file type will be delivered and check compatibility with your intended device. Also confirm current pricing, any recording-length conditions, applicable taxes and the total for your collection before agreeing to the work.
Separate camcorder tapes from film reels
Smaller tapes have their own published rates. VHS-C and MiniDV each cost $20 per tape for digital, $25 for DVD or $30 for both. Video 8 and Hi8 are listed at $25 per tape for digital, $30 for DVD and $35 for both. Read the format printed on each cassette rather than grouping everything under VHS; those differences affect the estimate.
The business also lists Super 8 and 8mm film conversion by reel size, audio cassette conversion, and scanning of slides and negatives. A film reel marked 8mm belongs in a different category from a Video 8 cassette. Make a simple inventory with format, label and quantity so a mixed collection can be discussed clearly.
Arrange the appointment and the storage device together
Published office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday, 9 AM to 2 PM, with Sunday closed. These hours sit alongside an appointment-only media drop-off requirement, so arrange a time before bringing your collection. The website says media is loaded onto a customer-provided, sealed external storage device, and USB flash drives are available to purchase. Confirm the appropriate device and capacity while booking.
Keep tape labels intact and number the cases to match your inventory. Mention cracked shells, loose tape or visible mold before handing anything over. VHS tape repair is listed at $5 per tape, but ask whether the particular damage can be addressed and what the repair involves; a listed repair service cannot establish the outcome for an individual recording.
Check the delivery before relying on a single copy
Smoky Mountain Media Preservation states that original materials are returned in the condition received. Its separate retention notice says all retained digital footage is permanently deleted once payment has been received and all digital or DVD content has been delivered. Treat your delivered copy as something you need to safeguard yourself.
Open every file and sample the beginning, middle and end. Check sound, playback and whether the recording matches its label, then record any questions promptly. Make a second copy on another storage device before renaming or organizing the working files. Keep the original tapes labeled and stored safely too. Retaining originals and multiple digital copies gives you more options if a drive fails or a file is accidentally removed.
Let relatives help identify the finished recordings
Once conversion is complete, Memrial offers a separate private family archive for photos and home videos. It does not convert tapes and is not part of Smoky Mountain Media Preservation. Its free plan includes 2.0 GB of storage shared across the archive, with no card needed. Check the size of your recordings when deciding what to upload.
A reunion recording can become easier to find when someone adds the year, names and a remembered story. Memrial's Timeline accepts exact or approximate dates, so a relative who remembers only the summer and year can still help place a video. Albums and comments keep that context with the memories.
Live Watch Parties synchronize an uploaded home video using host play, pause and seek controls, with voice and text chat for relatives nearby or far away. The free allowance is 3 hours per month with up to 6 participants. For a new reunion, Event Memories provides a secure contribution link: contributors sign in without needing archive membership, uploads collect in the event album, and closing the link retains the memories.