Separate the photographs from the movie reels
The website identifies the business as VIDEO PLAYGROUND LTD and says that photos, slides, and negatives can be preserved in digital format. Its photo offer lists .55 per image. The published wording does not specify a currency symbol or explain minimum orders, additional charges, or the size and type of files delivered, so ask for a written total for your particular collection before deciding how much to submit.
An image count is a sensible first step. Count photographs and slides separately, and avoid assuming that one strip of negatives equals one image. Choose a small, meaningful group first if you are unsure how to prioritize: a wedding, a childhood album, or photographs of someone whose story relatives want to record. Ask how the business counts negative frames and whether you can keep each original group together.
Film pricing follows footage, not tape running time
Video Playground's 8mm and 16mm film-to-digital page says pricing is calculated by footage. It lists $24.95 for the first 50 feet and .20 per foot thereafter, with free background music included. These are film figures. They should not be used to estimate a VHS transfer or a photo-scanning order. Confirm how the quoted rate applies when you bring multiple reels, and ask whether any other charges affect the final total.
For family films, background music is also a creative decision. Ask whether you can request a version without it, and whether any original soundtrack can be retained when one exists. Relatives may prefer to hear their own recollections while watching. Before ordering, clarify the delivery medium, file format, and whether individual reels remain separate or become a combined video. None of those choices should be assumed from a footage-based price alone.
Make a focused VHS enquiry before handing over tapes
A film-transfer page does not confirm support for videotape. Contact Video Playground with a short inventory and ask directly whether it currently handles VHS, which other tape formats it accepts, and what output you would receive. Its published phone number is 773-238-5089 and its website email is [email protected]. Include a photograph or a careful transcription of unfamiliar format labels if that helps explain the collection.
As general preparation, number each cassette and record the handwritten label, any known date, and visible damage. Do not test a moldy tape in a household player or open the cassette to attempt a repair. Ask whether damaged tapes can be assessed before agreeing to work. For confirmed transfers, request a price that explains tape-length limits, blank recordings, delivery media, return of originals, and the expected completion date.
Plan the handoff around the published hours
The website lists Monday through Friday hours of 10am to 6pm, Saturday hours of 10am to 2pm, and Sunday as closed. Confirm arrangements before traveling with irreplaceable originals. The website also says orders can be shipped in and returned, mentioning the United States Postal Service, UPS, FedEx, or another shipping method. It invites customers to ask about a free shipping program; that invitation does not explain eligibility or promise free shipping for every order.
If you ship a collection, agree on packing, return delivery, tracking, and any coverage first. Keep an inventory and photographs of what you send. Once files arrive, check them against that inventory, play the beginning and end of each video, and inspect a selection of images at full size. Keep the originals and another copy of the digital files in a separate place.
Turn the finished files into a shared family record
After conversion, Memrial offers a separate private family archive for digital photos and home videos. It does not convert physical tapes and is not part of Video Playground. The free plan includes 2.0 GB of storage shared across the archive, with no card needed. Invite relatives to help identify faces, add comments and stories, and organize albums. Timeline accepts exact or approximate dates, so even a memory with an estimated year can be found by year.
A family anniversary could be a good reason to watch an uploaded home video together. Live Watch Parties synchronize playback, with the host controlling play, pause, and seek, while relatives nearby or far away use voice or text chat. Free Watch Parties include 3 hours per month and up to 6 participants. Event Memories offers a secure occasion contribution link: contributors sign in, but do not need archive membership. Their photos and videos go into the event album, and closing the link keeps the collected memories.