Video Tape Repair

Repair your existing film to become playable once again.

BluFox Photo and Video can digitize your video tapes to high quality mp4 files. Mp4 digital video files offer excellent quality yet the file size is approximately half of uncompressed AVI and Quicktime files. Also, mp4 files are very compatible. Therefore, mp4 files can be played or edited on both MACs and Windows computers. Furthermore, they are the recommended digital file type for uploading to video sharing sites like youtube, vimeo, facebook, etc… In addition, most smart TVs and media boxes / media players (such as WD TV and Apple TV) require mp4 files. As a result, you can plug your hard drive (or flash drive) right into the smart TV USB port and watch your home movies instantly.

Advantages of MP4 over DVD discs:

  • Portability: MP4 files are digital and can be easily transferred and stored on various devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and portable media players. DVDs require a physical disc to be carried around.

  • Storage: MP4 files generally take up less storage space compared to DVDs, especially when considering high-definition content. This makes it easier to store and manage a larger collection of videos.

  • Versatility: MP4 is a widely supported format that can be played on almost all modern devices and media players, regardless of operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS).

  • Ease of Use: MP4 files can be easily created, copied, and shared using common software tools and online platforms. DVDs require specific hardware and software to burn and duplicate.

  • Durability: DVDs can scratch or become unreadable over time, while MP4 files are not susceptible to physical damage and can be backed up to multiple locations for safekeeping.

  • Playback Options: MP4 files offer more flexible playback options such as streaming over the internet, which is not possible with DVDs that require a disc drive for playback.

  • Quality: MP4 files can support high-definition video and audio formats, providing better visual and audio quality compared to standard DVDs.

  • Cost: Creating and distributing MP4 files is generally more cost-effective than producing DVDs, especially for smaller-scale distribution or personal use.

These advantages make MP4 a preferred choice for digital video distribution and consumption compared to traditional DVD discs.

Use the Shopping Cart below to Get an Estimate or Place an Order

Already placed your order? Click Here to learn how to prep your media for transfer at BluFox Photo &  Video (if possible)

 

Video to mp4 File
$49.00 $39.00

Video to mp4 File

 $45 per tape 

1 Tape (up to 2Hrs) transferred to mp4 (10mb/s)
– Watch anywhere (Smart TV via USB, MAC, Windows)
– Editable on any Computer
– HD upres 720 60p Now Available!

  • Buy 10-24 at $37.05 each
  • Buy 25-49 at $35.10 each
  • Buy 50-99 at $33.15 each
  • Buy 100 or more at $31.20 each

Resolutions:

  • Keep Original (480 lines)
  • UpRes to HD (720 lines 60p) (+$10 per item)

Storage Device

  • I will provide my own
  •  I need a storage device ($6.75)

(Optional) Add Ons:

  • Add a playable DVD (1/2 price) (+$20.00 per item)
  • Tape Repair (+$25.00 per item)
  • PAL Conversion (+$20.00 per item)
  • Pro Tape – BSP, DVCam, 3/4 Umatic (+$20.00 per item)

*please note:

– HDV, Betacam SP, 3/4″ U-matic, DVCAM, & DVCPro tapes are an extra $20 per tape

– Due to the labor required to play and check tapes for content, there will be a flat fee of $10 for tapes that are blank

HOW IT WORKS:

 

  1. If ordering online, simply enter the number of tapes you have
  2. choose between original or recommended HD upres/upscale resolution for amazing quality,
  3. indicate if you need a drive or will provide your own,
  4. decide if you want to include playable DVDs at half price ($20 each),
  5. add to cart and check out,
  6. prepare your media for transfer if possible, and ship your media to BluFox Photo & Video. Click here to view the address information.
  • We will organize and transform each media into the media of your choosing while maintaining their chronological order based on the date.
  • The media / files and will be labeled as Tape 01, Tape 02, etc., and can be renamed later if necessary.
  • Your project from BluFox Photo & Video is ready for delivery! For digital files, we can either ship them on a USB Flash Drive or Hard Drive, along with the original tapes.
  • Relive your cherished memories by simply plugging the drive into your computer, or using your new media as intended.
  • Easily edit your digital files on a MAC or PC using popular editing software like iMovie, Windows Movie Maker, or Adobe Premiere.
  • Share your stunning digital media files effortlessly on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and more!

*When ordering physical media such as DVDs along with tapes, please make sure to include label information either on a sticky note attached to each tape or in a note accompanying your order. The label information should match that of the tape.

 

GET YOUR MEDIA READY FOR DROP-OFF OR SHIPPING WITH THESE SIMPLE STEPS

 

  1. Arrange your media in the desired sequence that best suits you. It is common for individuals to organize their tapes chronologically by date whenever feasible.
  2. Label your media by number with sticky notes or labels. The number you label the media as will be the number the file is labeled as; This way it is easy to find which file is from which media!
  3. If you have different forms of media (e.g. film and videotapes) be sure to label them separately. For example, if you have 10 videotapes and 10 super 8 reels – label the video tapes 1-10 and the film 1-10. If you want to take the extra step, it’s also helpful to separate the different forms of videotapes. For example, if you have both Hi8 Tapes and VHS tapes, you could separate these formats out and label them separately. This helps your media to be as organized as possible on your flash drive or hard drive.
  4. If you are providing your own flash drive or hard drive, include it with your order. Keep in mind that 1 hour of video = ~6 GB. About 140 hours of video (mp4 format) will fit on a 1 TB drive. Please make sure the drive has enough storage space and can be formatted NTFS or is already formatted NTFS.

*Note: Formatting will erase everything on your drive so if your drive is not formatted NTFS and has files on it you would like to keep – do not use that drive for your video transfer.

Not sure how to organize / label your media? Click Here

Not sure how to format your drive? Click Here

Discover the Benefits of Photo Restoration, Retouching, and Enhancement

Are your old photographs in need of some TLC? Let BluFox Photo & Video bring those cherished memories back to life with our expert photo restoration, retouching, and enhancement services. Whether it's removing dust and scratches, enhancing colors, or restoring faded images, our talented team is dedicated to providing top-quality results that will make your photos look like new.

With a keen eye for detail and a passion for preserving moments, we strive to ensure that your memories last a lifetime. Let us help you transform your photos into treasured keepsakes that you can enjoy for years to come. Contact BluFox Photo & Video today to learn more about how we can enhance your photos and preserve your memories.

How We Restore Photos

We utilize cutting-edge digital imaging techniques to restore tears, blemishes, cracks, faded color, and density in your photographs. Additionally, we offer services to remove or add people or elements, hand-color black and white images, and eliminate distracting background objects by replacing them with a studio backdrop image.

All edits are saved to a digital file and delivered to you on a USB without any damage to the original photo. 

Free no obligation estimates are provided for every restoration at BluFox Photo & Video, ensuring that your unique project receives the attention it deserves. Our services include scans of photographic prints in various sizes and formats, resulting in high-quality images delivered on USB as jpeg files.

The Difference Between using AI and Personal Skill in Photo Restoraton.

While AI is becoming more prominent in self-editing photos, there will always be a sence of error in either detection, color, or overall results. While AI can do a great job in removing several pieces of dust, or imperfections, sometimes something like a button off a shirt, or a lapel pin, or a skin imperfection can be removed along with it. Color can also be wrongfully adjusted if the environment was meant to be a certain color of lighting. 

We pride ourselves in our many years of knowledge, skill and hard work to put in the best quality photo restoration by hand. We carefully select and choose when automatic programs and AI would be best suitable for any other tasks that would otherwise be impossible to do manually.

Old Photos Made New Once Again!

Transform your old, worn-out photos into vibrant, timeless masterpieces with the expert photo restoration services offered by BluFox Photo & Video. Our talented team is dedicated to enhancing colors, fixing tears and cracks, replacing backgrounds, removing blemishes, imperfections, and much more. Trust us to bring new life to your cherished memories and preserve them for generations to come. Contact us today and let us work our magic on your photos!

AMAZING RESULTS!

  • Enhance & Restore Colour
  • Fix Cracks, Creases and Tears
  • Replace / Restore Backgrounds & Sky
  • Remove people, objects, obsticles. and subjects
  • Remove Blemishes & Imperfections
  • And much, much more!

Common Questions

How should I prepare my photos for scanning?

Please take them out of any albums and stack them in the order you would like them scanned. If you would like them organized into folders. You can put each category in a separate ziplock bag with a label / note inside. Another way to organize your photos is to put them into a shoe box with sticky notes dividing and labeling the categories. AV Workshop will then scan your photos in order into unique folders according to your labels...Disneyland '85, Camping '99, Italy 1978, Graduation 2001, etc... Continue Reading

Why choose BluFox Photo & Video?

BluFox Photo & Video is a local company. We scan your photos right here so you don't have to worry about them being lost in shipment overseas! We use the very best scanners and have many years of experience working with various types of media and Photoshop.

My photos are stuck in old photo albums and will not come out

We can scan the full album pages ($4.95 per page). We offer an extra option to crop the photos on the full page scan - please call for details and pricing (650-369-4366). Album extraction fee is an additional .50 per image. Any photos with a sticky residue on the back will require a special setup and will be an additional .50 per photo.

Can I cut individual frames out of a 35mm strip and give them to you to scan?

No, we need a minimum of 3 35mm frames for our scanners to feed / work properly.

What do I receive my Digital Images on

We put the new Digital Images (JPEGs) on a USB device. We sell USB Flash Drives for $19 but you are welcome to bring your own.

What size of USB Flash Drive would I need?

1. 1 Megabyte (MB) = 1,000,000 bytes;1 Gigabyte (GB) = 1,000,000,000 bytes;1 Terabyte (TB) = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes (Mbps = Megabits per second, Fps = Frames per second,GB = Gigabytes,TB = Terabytes.MKV = Matroska Media Container, .MP4 = MPEG-4 Media container)

2. Actual recording time will vary based upon camera model, selected resolution, compression settings and the content being recorded. Some host devices may not support all of the Flash storage capacities listed. Consult your device's owner's manual for supported capacities.

ref: https://www.kingston.com/en/memory-cards/storage-chart

How do I use a USB Flash Drive to view my files?

We have a step by step guide here.

If you provide my drive, how many drives will I receive?

 You will receive one single drive that all your media will fit on. We carry 16gb all the way through 2TB.

FAQ:

Why should I order the HD 720 60p Upres?

Enhance the quality of your videos with BluFox Photo & Video's HD 1280x720 60p upres service. Say goodbye to jagged edges and loss on modern screens by converting your old 4x3 interlaced tube TV tapes into a smooth and seamless motion in HD 720 60p. Our standard resolution ensures easy editing, playing, and sharing of your videos. You can read more about our HD Upres Add On Here

Can I edit these mp4 files on a MAC or PC?

Yes, you can easily edit these files on popular video editing applications like iMovie, Final Cut, Adobe Premiere, Movie Maker, and more.

Can I upload these mp4 Files to Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc...? 

Discover the power of MP4 files for sharing your precious memories online! With BluFox Photo & Video's expert services, transform your old photos into vibrant masterpieces and preserve them for generations to come. Our talented team specializes in enhancing colors, fixing tears, removing imperfections, and so much more. Trust us to breathe new life into your cherished photos with quality restoration services. Get in touch today and let us work our magic on your photos!

What is the Quality difference between mp4 vs Quicktime & AVI? 

BluFox Photo & Video excels in providing top-tier video quality with our uncompressed Quicktime and AVI files. Additionally, our mp4 files are equally impressive due to our meticulous attention to detail, maximizing the bitrate at 10 MB per sec and leveraging the h.264 codec to its full potential. The result is a remarkable viewing experience that sets us apart from the competition.

Is an mp4 file the same thing as a thumb drive / flash drive? 

mp4 files are stored on devices like thumb drives, flash drives, or hard drives. These drives are used to hold the files securely.

How do I use a Flash Drive to view my files?

We have a step by step guide here.

Can I watch these files on my TV? 

Yes, you can easily watch .MP4 files on your TV by simply plugging in a compatible Flash drive or Hard Drive formatted as NTFS. Enjoy your favorite memories on the big screen hassle-free with our expert services.

Do you supply the Hard Drive or me? 

We can utilize your external hard drive as long as it has sufficient space and is an external USB hard drive formatted NTFS (Windows) or HFS+ (MAC). Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate these large files on a drive formatted FAT32. If needed, we have external hard drives available for purchase, including a variety of Flash drives and external Hard Drives in stock.

Can you convert a PAL videotape? 

We offer PAL to NTSC conversion for an additional fee of $15.

What if my tape is blank?

Due to the labor involved in assessing the content of tapes, a flat fee of $10 will be charged for blank tapes.

How many video tapes fit onto a Hard Drive? 

Curious how many video tapes can fit onto a Hard Drive? With our expertise at BluFox Photo & Video, you can store approximately 140 hours of video on a 1 TB drive in the mp4 file format. Let us help you preserve your precious memories with our top-tier services today!

If you provide my drive, how many drives will I receive?

Receive a single drive to store all your media! Choose from a range of capacities, from 16GB to 2TB.

How much space do I need on my flash drive or external hard drive for my videos? 

For mp4 videos on BluFox Photo & Video, 1 hour takes up approximately 6 GB and 2 hours will use around 12 GB of storage. Keep track of the space available on your hard drive to manage your video storage effectively.

BluFox Photo & Video is located in the Central Essex County area providing service to all nearby areas including:
Windsor, Essex, Kingsville, Leamington, LaSalle, Belle River, Amherstburg, Harrow, Leamington, and Chatham.

We accept walk-ins as well as shipments. All online orders over $250 qualify for FREE shipping! To learn more Click Here.

You can get an Estimate or Order online by clicking on any service page above.

Note: If you prefer to speak with someone in person, call us during store hours at 226-348-2726.

Contact Us

299 Kelly Street.
Essex, Ontario
N8M 2J3

Email: andrew@blufox.ca
Ph: 226-348-2726

Hours

Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Sunday: Closed

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Servicing Areas

BluFox Photo and Video provides service for Windsor, Essex County, and the surrounding areas, including Kingsville, Leamington, Amherstburg, Harrow, and Chatham-Kent.

 

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