A VHS quote depends on the size of your collection
The company's published VHS prices are $45 for one tape, $39 each for 2-4 tapes, $35 each for 5-10, $32 each for 11-20, $28 each for 21-30 and $24 each for 31 or more. These prices include GST and up to 3 hours of footage per tape, with an MP4 included as standard. The lowest advertised figure therefore belongs to the largest quantity band.
Count the tapes before requesting a quote, including any smaller cassettes stored separately. The VHS page says VHS-C has the same flat rate as VHS. If a label suggests a recording longer than 3 hours, ask how that affects the total. For tapes recorded overseas, the published additional charge is $11 for US NTSC or French SECAM tapes. Identify these when enquiring rather than discovering the difference after handover.
Settle the Lancer Way arrangements before travelling
The Alexander Heights location page describes a Lancer Way location and offers collection from your door with an invitation to enquire. That wording does not establish collection boundaries, charges or availability for a particular day. The wider VHS page also offers drop-off at one of 12 locations or posting tapes in. Confirm which route applies to your booking, the precise destination and any arrangements for returning the collection.
For timing, the VHS service says most orders are ready in 7-10 business days; small urgent orders can often be completed in a day or a few days. Treat that as a typical estimate, especially if the files are intended for an anniversary screening. Give the required date when enquiring and allow time afterwards to download, check and organise the results.
Choose a viewing copy and consider a master
MP4 is the standard VHS output. Tapes To Digital also says an archival AVI/MOV master can be supplied alongside the MP4 at the same price if requested. Ask about that option before work begins, including how large the files might be and how you will receive them. A viewing copy and a retained master serve different practical needs, so decide where both would be stored.
A DVD is listed at an additional $12 per disc, with one disc per 2 hours. Consider who will watch the recordings and test the chosen viewing method on their intended device once the order arrives, rather than assuming every television or player will behave alike.
Record labels and flag damage without playing the tape
Before handing anything over, photograph the labels and number the cases. Write a short inventory with the format, any known recording date and the people or occasion shown. Ask relatives about unclear handwriting while the physical labels are still available. Keep uncertain dates marked as estimates rather than turning a guess into a definite year.
For mould, a broken shell or other visible damage, ask what assessment is needed instead of trying to play the tape. The published VHS service says each tape is checked before work starts, with cleaning or repair quoted separately from $28 per tape and no charge if it cannot be repaired. That is a reason to discuss condition early; it does not guarantee a successful repair or recovery of every recording.
Check the files before putting the originals away
Tapes To Digital states that every original is returned. Reconcile the returned tapes and files against your inventory, then sample the beginning, middle and end of each recording. Listen for sound, look for unexpected gaps and check that filenames can be matched to the right cassette. Raise any questions while the order details are easy to find.
Keep the originals and retain a separate backup of the digital files. A single USB drive should not be the only surviving copy. Invite relatives to identify faces, places and voices. A note explaining who is speaking can help the next person who opens the recording.
Bring the converted recordings into a private family archive
After conversion, Memrial provides a separate private family archive for photos and home videos. It does not convert tapes and is separate from Tapes To Digital. The free allowance is 2.0 GB shared across the archive, with no card needed. Check the size of your recordings before deciding what to upload, while keeping your own backups.
Timeline accepts exact or approximate dates so relatives can find memories by year. For an anniversary, a Live Watch Party can synchronise an uploaded home video, with host play, pause and seek controls plus voice and text chat for relatives near or far. The free plan includes 3 hours per month and up to 6 participants.
Event Memories can gather more material through a secure occasion contribution link. Contributors sign in but do not need archive membership; their photos and videos go into the event album. Closing the link keeps the collected memories.