What can we transfer?

Domestic Tapes in PAL or NTSC: VHS, VHSC, Betamax, Video 2000, Video8, Hi8, Digital8, MiniDV, HDV, Micro MV

Professional Tapes in PAL or NTSC: U-Matic, Betacam, Digital Betacam, HDCAM, DVCAM, DVCPRO

DVD/Blu-ray: All types of discs including mini discs

HD or 4K Transfer: which one is right for you?

The first thing to consider is whether your tape is an original recording or a copy of another tape. If it’s a copy, an HD transfer is often the better choice. However, if you have an original recording, a 4K transfer can deliver outstanding results.

When deciding between HD and 4K transfers, think about your TV and how you plan to watch your videos. A 4K transfer is ideal for 4K TVs, offering incredible detail and clarity. While most 4K TVs upscale HD content, the quality of this upscaling can vary. Our advanced 4K upscaling technology, powered by Stable Diffusion AI and Teranex 4K hardware, ensures superior results that go beyond standard TV capabilities.

If you decide to view your 4K files on an older HD-only TV, that’s absolutely fine your TV will simply downscale the video and play it back in perfect Full HD.

If you typically watch on smaller screens—like a TV under 40 inches, a tablet, or a smartphone—the HD transfer is a good option. It provides excellent clarity and is perfectly suited for these devices.

Which file format is right for you?

For most users, MPEG-4 is the ideal choice. It is widely compatible with nearly all devices, including TVs, smartphones, tablets, and platforms like YouTube, making it a versatile and convenient option.

For video editors or professionals, we recommend ProRes. This high-quality master format captures additional details, perfect for editing and fine-tuning before exporting to a more viewer-friendly format like MPEG-4.

Both MPEG-4 and ProRes formats include full AI remastering for enhanced quality. For those who prefer the raw, unprocessed footage, we offer a No-AI Raw Transfer option. This provides a direct capture from our tape deck, preserving the original format including interlacing, if present and unaltered sound. This option is ideal for those who want to future-proof their videos, allowing you to apply the latest AI remastering technology later without needing a new transfer.
(The non-AI Raw option is supplied in ProRes format).

Our Non-AI Raw transfer preserves the tape’s native resolution and dimensions. For example, if the source is in SD PAL format, the resolution will be 720x576i.

USB Stick or Hard Drive?

Choosing between a USB stick and a portable hard drive depends on your storage needs and how you plan to watch your transferred video. A USB stick is a compact option, ideal for direct use with TVs, iPads, and other devices, especially with dual USB-C and USB-A connections for flexibility. The USB stick also come in a handy gift box.

A portable hard drive, on the other hand, can offer greater storage capacity and, in some cases, faster transfer speeds, making it a good choice for video editing.

You’re also welcome to send in your own USB stick or hard drive—just make sure it’s USB 3.0 or above.

35mm Slides

We have a separate order form for 35mm slides, but you’re welcome to add them here if you’re sending them along with your films. Your slides will be returned on your USB stick or hard drive but will not be uploaded to Alive Cloud.

For 100 photos, we recommend around 2GB of storage.

7 Day Express

If you need your films quickly, our Express Service is available. We aim for a 7-day turnaround from receipt and often complete jobs within just a few days. This service includes a 30% surcharge, as we dedicate staff to work nights and weekends to ensure the fastest possible delivery.

Free Collection & Delivery!

Spend over £100 on any order and enjoy free collection! We arrange collection through Royal Mail or DHL, depending on your location and order size:

• DHL: If we use DHL, you’ll receive an emailed label to print, and collections are available Monday to Friday.
• Royal Mail: With Royal Mail, the postman brings the label, and Saturday collections are also available.

Place your order by 10pm to request a next-day collection; orders after 10pm qualify for collection the following day.

For orders under £100, collection is available for a £10 fee, or you’re welcome to post your films directly to us.

Return delivery is always free for all UK mainland addresses. For international orders, please post items to us, and we’ll charge the appropriate international shipping rate for the return.