Frequently Asked Questions

Simply drop off your home movies and pictures. In a few weeks, you’ll get your originals back plus new digital keepsakes.

At RVA Rewind, we specialize in converting your analog media—such as VHS tapes, film reels, photographs, and audio recordings—into digital formats, ensuring your cherished memories are preserved for future generations.

Our Process:

1. Drop Off or Mail-In: Begin by scheduling a drop-off appointment at our Richmond, Virginia location, or opt to mail your media directly to us.
2. Digitization: Upon receipt, our experienced team utilizes state-of-the-art equipment to meticulously transfer your media into high-quality digital files. This process typically takes between 2 to 6 weeks, during which we provide regular email updates to keep you informed. Learn more about turnaround times.
3. Delivery: Once digitization is complete, you'll receive your original media along with the new digital versions. We offer flexible options for receiving your digitized files, including USB thumb drives and digital downloads. If your computer has USB-C connections, you can use a USB-C to USB-A adapter to access the thumb drive; we also offer these adapters for purchase at $10. Learn more about adapters.

Media Formats We Handle:

• Video Tapes: VHS, VHS-C, 8mm video (Video8), Hi8, MiniDV, Betamax, Betacam SP
• Film Reels: 8mm, Super 8, 16mm
• Photographs: Prints, slides, negatives
• Audio: Audio cassettes, 8-tracks, vinyl records, reel-to-reel tapes
• Data Disks: Floppy disks, CDs, DVDs, Zip disks

By choosing RVA Rewind, you're entrusting your precious memories to a dedicated, detail-oriented team committed to delivering high-quality digital conversions. We handle each item with the utmost care, ensuring your family's history is preserved with the respect it deserves.

For more information or to get started, please visit our website or contact us directly.

Mix and match format types from VHS tapes to Super8 film.

Tapes: VHS, VHS-C, 8mm video (video8), Hi8, MiniDV, Betamax, Betacam SP

Film: 8mm film, Super8 film, 16mm film

Pictures: Prints, Slides, Negatives

Audio: Audio Cassette, 8-Track, Records, Reel-to-Reel

Disk: Floppy Disk, CDs, DVDs, Zip Disk

It takes approximately 2 - 6 weeks once we receive your home movies and pictures. Receive regular email updates throughout the whole digitizing process to answer all your questions.

We know how important every home movie and photo is, that is why we handle each of your precious memories with care and keep you informed every step of the way.

You will get all of your tapes, film, or photos back plus a choice of Thumb Drive or Digital Download so you can relive your memories as digital files. All analog media is carefully converted by hand, right here in Richmond, Virginia.

Yes! You can use a USB-C to USB-A adapter to view the thumb drive. If you don't own an adapter, we do sell adapters for only $10.

We will immediately let you know if we find that one of your video tapes are blank and discuss what steps to take next. As standard practice, we convert the entire tape as it is because there could be footage at any point on the video tape. Please note, the processing for video tapes takes the same amount of time whether the footage is an hour long or only a few minutes. For this reason, we charge for video tape conversions per item instead of based upon the length of the footage.

Yes! As technology continues to evolve, many of us find ourselves with precious memories stored on old videotapes. These tapes, which once held vibrant images and clear audio, may have degraded over time, leading to poor picture quality, faded colors, or noisy audio. If you’re wondering whether these tapes can be enhanced or fixed, the answer is yes—there are several ways we can improve the quality of your old videos, including noise reduction, color correction, and HD upscaling.

The Challenges of Video Tape Degradation

Videotapes, such as VHS and Betamax, are prone to deterioration over time. The magnetic tape inside can degrade, leading to a loss of video and audio quality. Additionally, environmental factors like humidity, heat, and dust can cause further damage, resulting in colors that appear washed out, increased visual noise, and a general decline in playback quality.

Our Solutions: Noise Reduction, Color Correction, and HD Upscaling

At our business, we specialize in converting your old videotapes to digital formats while enhancing and restoring their quality through several advanced techniques:

• Noise Reduction: As tapes age, they often develop visual and audio noise—unwanted static or grain that detracts from the viewing experience. Our noise reduction process uses sophisticated algorithms to minimize this interference, resulting in a clearer, more polished video. Whether it’s reducing the graininess in the image or eliminating background hiss in the audio, our noise reduction techniques can make your old videos look and sound much better.
• Color Correction: Over time, the colors in videotapes can fade or shift, leaving your videos looking dull or discolored. We offer digital color correction to restore the vibrancy of your footage. This process adjusts the color balance, contrast, and brightness to bring your videos closer to their original state. By carefully tweaking these settings, we can breathe new life into your tapes, making them more enjoyable to watch.
• HD Upscaling: Most old videotapes were recorded in standard definition (SD), which looks noticeably grainy on modern high-definition (HD) screens. To address this, we offer HD upscaling, a process that digitally enhances your footage to appear sharper and more detailed when viewed on HD devices. While upscaling doesn’t add new details that weren’t originally there, it does improve the overall clarity and sharpness of your videos, making them look better on today’s screens.

What You Can Expect from Our Services

Our video enhancement services can significantly improve the quality of your old videotapes, but it’s important to understand the limits:

• Improved Visual and Audio Quality: Through noise reduction, color correction, and HD upscaling, we can make your videos clearer, more vibrant, and more suitable for viewing on modern devices.
• Restoration of Original Footage: While our techniques can greatly enhance the quality, they are not a substitute for high-definition video shot on modern equipment. The final result will still reflect the limitations of the original tape.
• Preservation of Memories: By transferring your tapes to a digital format and applying these enhancements, we help ensure that your memories are preserved for future generations in the best possible quality.

Conclusion

If your old videotapes are showing signs of age, don’t wait until they degrade further. Our video enhancement services, including noise reduction, color correction, and HD upscaling, can help you preserve and improve your cherished memories. While there are some limitations, our goal is to bring your videos as close to their original quality as possible—if not better. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you enhance or fix your videotapes.

Yes, you will get back all of your original analog media along with your newly digitized home movies.

When it comes to transferring your precious videotapes to digital formats, you want to make sure your memories are in the best possible hands. With so many options available, including large national companies, you might be wondering why you should choose a small business like ours instead. Here’s why we believe we offer a superior service that outshines the big players.

When most people decide to preserve their personal memories by digitizing them, they typically want it done once and not have to re-digitize them every 10 years as technology changes. Wouldn’t you rather do it with a company that is dedicated, committed and that specializes in such quality service, and where you know that your personal content will be dealt with professionally and with care? We think you would.

1. Personalized Service and Attention to Detail

At RVA Rewind, we treat every project with the care and attention it deserves. Unlike large national companies that often handle thousands of orders at once, we take the time to understand your specific needs and concerns. Every tape you send us is carefully reviewed and processed to ensure the best possible quality. A lot of larger transfer companies use older, over-used, worn out equipment that produces sub par quality transfers. RVA Rewind has over 30 years experience in transfering analog media to digital formats and we record them at the highest quality possible. Our hands-on approach means that your memories are not just another number in the system—they are personal to us, just as they are to you.

2. Expertise and Experience

We specialize in video transfer services and have honed our craft over years of dedicated work. Our expertise isn’t diluted across a wide range of unrelated services, as is often the case with larger companies. We focus on what we do best: preserving your memories through high-quality video transfers. Our team is skilled in handling a variety of tape formats and is committed to delivering the best possible results.

3. Flexible and Responsive Customer Service

When you choose RVA Rewind, you get direct access to the people who are actually working on your project. If you have questions, concerns, or special requests, we’re here to listen and respond quickly. Large companies often have multiple layers of customer service, which can lead to delays and frustration. With us, you can expect prompt, friendly, and personalized communication every step of the way.

4. High-Quality Results at Competitive Prices

We believe that preserving your memories shouldn’t cost a fortune. Our small business model allows us to offer competitive pricing while still maintaining a high standard of quality. Unlike some large companies that may cut corners to save costs, we invest in top-notch equipment and take the time needed to deliver outstanding results. A lot of larger transfer companies use older, over-used, worn out equipment that produces sub par quality transfers. RVA Rewind has over 30 years experience in transfering analog media to digital formats and we record them at the highest quality possible. You get the best of both worlds—affordable pricing and superior quality.

5. Supporting Local Businesses

By choosing a small business like ours, you’re not only getting great service, but you’re also supporting your local community. Large national companies often outsource work overseas or to massive facilities where your tapes can get lost in the shuffle. When you work with us, you’re helping to sustain a local business that’s invested in your community. Your support allows us to continue providing personalized, high-quality services to people just like you.

6. Security and Peace of Mind

We understand how important your video tapes are, and we treat them with the utmost care and respect. Unlike large companies that may handle tapes in bulk, increasing the risk of loss or damage, we handle each tape individually, ensuring that it remains safe and secure throughout the entire process. You can trust us to safeguard your memories as if they were our own.

Conclusion

When it comes to transferring your videotapes to digital, choosing RVA Rewind offers numerous advantages over large national companies. From personalized service and expert handling to competitive pricing and the peace of mind that comes from supporting a local business, we are dedicated to delivering the best possible experience. Trust us with your memories, and we’ll ensure they are preserved with the care and attention they deserve. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you.

Your digitized video tapes are given back to you either as digital downloads from our website or on a thumb drive. You get to choose one of the two options, more than one option can be chosen at an additional charge(s), for how you would like to receive your digitized videos.

Digital files on thumb drives are usually formated as MPEG-4 (industry standard) or other video formats upon request.

Digital Downloads are just available as the industry standard MPEG-4 file format.

Upon request we offer DVD’s but usually don’t recomend them as DVD’s are becoming phased out. Each digitized tape gets its own DVD disc, we will only combine tapes onto a DVD if they are 30min or less in length.

As standard practice, we convert the entire tape as it is because there could be footage at any point on the video tape. Please note, the processing for video tapes takes the same amount of time whether the footage is an hour long or only a few minutes. For this reason, we charge for video tape conversions per item instead of based upon the length of the footage.

Original Video Tape Quality (color correction, noise reduction, and video editing are add-on features that are available as an additional charge) Preserved in a Digital Format

MP4 Digital File (the most common format for digital video files) or HEVC Digital File

*Uncompressed/ProRES Digital File (larger file size, used for high-quality video editing)

720 x 480 Dimensions at a 4x3 or 16x9 aspect rati

4-7 GB Average File Size for MP4 for 2 hours

Fun Nerdy Tech Specs (for those who really want to know!)

H.264 MPEG-4 AVC (part 10), 480p, 59.94 FPS, SD, Progressive, VBR 7500 kbps

Yes. We will keep your tapes in the order that you give them to us and we will do our best to put your digitized videos in the same order. If your video tapes are labeled with a title or some other identification, you can help us by providing us with a list that indicates the order you would like.

When it comes to preserving your precious memories, especially those captured on old film reels, the choice of who handles the transfer process is crucial. You might be wondering whether to go with a large transfer company or a local business like RVA Rewind. Here’s why choosing RVA Rewind could be the best decision for safeguarding your cherished memories.

1. Personalized Service

At RVA Rewind, we understand that each reel of film is not just a piece of footage but a treasured memory. As a local business, we take the time to get to know our clients and their unique needs. You’re not just another order number to us—we treat each project with the care and attention it deserves. When you choose us, you’ll receive personalized service from start to finish, ensuring that your film transfer is done exactly the way you want.

2. Quality Over Quantity

Large national companies often operate on a high-volume model, processing hundreds or thousands of orders daily. This approach can sometimes lead to a “one-size-fits-all” method, where the focus is more on speed than on quality. At RVA Rewind, we prioritize quality. We meticulously handle each reel, using state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to ensure the best possible digital transfer. Your memories deserve nothing less.

3. Support Local Businesses

When you choose RVA Rewind, you’re supporting a local business that is invested in the community. We’re proud to be part of the Richmond area, and by choosing us, you help strengthen the local economy. Plus, we’re always here for follow-up questions or additional services, and you can reach us easily—no need to navigate a complex customer service system.

4. Transparency and Trust

With RVA Rewind, you know exactly who is handling your film. Unlike large national companies that may outsource parts of the process, we do everything in-house. This allows us to maintain strict quality control and provide you with accurate updates throughout the process. You can trust that your precious memories are safe with us.

5. Quick Turnaround Time

National companies often have longer turnaround times due to their high volume of orders. At RVA Rewind, we strive to complete your project efficiently while maintaining high-quality standards. Because we’re local, you don’t have to worry about long shipping times or your film getting lost in transit.

6. Competitive Pricing

You might assume that a large company would offer better pricing due to their scale, but that’s not always the case. RVA Rewind offers competitive pricing, and because we’re a local business, we can often provide more flexible options to suit your budget. Plus, there are no hidden fees—what you see is what you get.

7. A Passion for Preservation

RVA Rewind was founded out of a genuine passion for preserving memories. We’re not just a business—we’re memory keepers. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that your film is transferred with the utmost care so that you can relive those special moments for years to come. This passion is what sets us apart from large, impersonal companies.

Conclusion

Choosing a film transfer service is a big decision. By opting for RVA Rewind, you’re choosing personalized service, superior quality, and a company that truly cares about your memories. We’re not just transferring film—we’re preserving history, one reel at a time. When it comes to something as important as your family’s memories, don’t settle for anything less than the best. Choose RVA Rewind.

Yes, you will get back all of your original film reels along with your newly digitized films.

We will do our best to process your film in the order that it is given to us in. If your film reels are labeled with a title or some other identification you can provide us with a list that shows the order you would like them.

Yes! Once your film reel is digitized, we have many different methods of enhancing the picture quality of your film. Some methods include: image stabilization, film grain reduction, scratch and dust removal, as well as color correction.

Your film reels are returned the same way you gave them to us. Original Film Quality (color correction, noise reduction, and video editing are add-on features that are available as an additional charge) Preserved in a Digital Format.

MP4 Digital File (the most common format for digital video files)

1440 x 1080 Dimensions

1 GB Average File Size for 3" film reel MP4

Fun Nerdy Tech Specs (for those who really want to know!)

H.264 MPEG-4 AVC (part 10), 1080p or 4K at 16, 18, or 24 FPS, SD, Progressive, VBR 50000-60000 kbps

We will immediately let you know if we find that one of your film reels are blank or damaged and discuss what steps to take next.

Yes we do digitize film reels that have sound! There is an additional 15% charge for film reels with sound in addition our standard digitizing price.

Sound on 8mm film was introduced in 1973 with Super8 but most people didn’t really use it that often.

When most people decide to preserve their personal memories by digitizing them, they typically want it done once and not have to re-digitize them every 10 years as technology changes. Wouldn‘t you rather do it with a company that is dedicated, committed and that specializes in such quality service, and where you know that your personal content will be dealt with professionally and with care? We think you would.

A lot of larger transfer companies use older, over-used, worn out equipment that produces sub par quality scans. Not only that but we scan at 2X the resolution as most transfer companies. RVA Rewind has over 30 years experience in transfering analog media to digital formats and we record them at the highest quality possible.

Your digitized photos are given back to you either as digital downloads from our website or on a thumb drive. You get to choose one of the two options, more than one option can be chosen at an additional charge(s), for how you would like to receive your digitized videos.

Digital files on thumb drives are usually formated as JPEG (industry standard) or other picture formats like PNG or TIFF upon request.

Digital Downloads are only available as JPEG or PNG file format.

Upon request we offer DVD’s but usually don’t recomend them as DVD’s are becoming phased out.

Yes, you will get back all of your original photos along with your newly scanned and digitized pictures.

Yes, we will keep your pictures, slides, and negatives in the order that you give them to us and we will do our best to keep your digitized photographs in the same order. Whether you opted for a thumb driveor digital download you will find that the photo files are easy to reorganize to your liking with a computer should a digital photo or two be out of order.

When it comes to preserving cherished memories, old photographs are invaluable. Over time, however, these photos can suffer from fading, tears, or other damage. If you’re exploring options to rejuvenate your precious photos, it’s important to understand the services available, particularly when it comes to digital restoration versus physical cleaning.

What Is Digital Photo Restoration?

Digital photo restoration is a specialized process where we use advanced software to repair and enhance your photos. This process can correct color fading, mend tears, remove stains, and even reconstruct missing sections of an image. Through careful and detailed digital work, we can bring your old, worn-out photos back to life, making them look as good as new. Whether it's a treasured family portrait, a special moment from an important occasion, or a historical image, our digital restoration services can help you preserve these memories for future generations.

What About Physical Photo Cleaning?

Physical photo cleaning involves manually removing dust, dirt, and minor blemishes from the surface of a photograph. While this can be an effective way to improve the appearance of certain photos, it requires handling the physical print, which can be risky if not done properly.

Digital Photography Restoration Specialist

At RVA Rewind, we specialize in digital photo restoration. We do not offer physical cleaning services. Our expertise lies in digitally repairing and enhancing your photographs without physically touching the original prints. This approach ensures that your photos are preserved in their current state while we work to improve and restore their appearance through digital means.

By focusing on digital restoration, we can address even the most severe damage, from tears and stains to faded colors and missing elements. This method allows us to deliver high-quality results without risking further damage to your original photographs.

Why Choose Digital Photo Restoration?

Digital photo restoration offers several advantages. It’s a safe, non-invasive way to restore your photos, preserving the original while creating a beautifully restored version. Additionally, digital photo restoration can achieve results that go beyond what physical cleaning can offer, especially for photos with significant damage.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to breathe new life into your old photographs, our digital photography restoration services are the perfect solution. While we don’t offer physical cleaning, our digital expertise ensures that your precious memories are preserved with the highest level of care and attention. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you digitally restore your cherished photos.

Original Photo Quality (color correction, noise reduction, dust and scratch removal, and image repair are add-on features that are available as an additional charge) Preserved in a Digital Format

Photo Prints - 600 dpi

Slides / Negatives - 4800+ dpi

A digital photo file’s image resolution is measured in Dots Per Inch (DPI). We have several different scanning methods that we can use to process your photos. The process that we use depends upon which scaning method is best for your images. These scans meet a minimum standard DPI of:

Photo Prints: 600 DPI

Slides: 4800 DPI

Negatives: 4800 DPI

Please note, the exact measurements of the photograph’s digital file will depend on the physical size of the photo itself.

Loose photos, slides, and negatives can be placed in ziploc style baggies or envelopes. If you end up having more than one baggie or envelope of photos, we ask that you write the number order that each bag/envelope should be in on the outside. We do not require photos, slides and negatives to be loose leaf and placed in a bag/envelope, we can still process your photos even if they arrive in albums, frames, cases, carousels, or sleeves.

You only transfer and preserve your personal memories, family history and unique legacy once. Wouldn‘t you rather do it with a company that is dedicated, committed, and specializes in such service, and where you know that your personal content will be dealt with professionally and with care? We think you would.

Your digitized audio files are given back to you either as digital downloads from our website or on a thumb drive. You get to choose one of the two options, more than one option can be chosen at an additional charge(s), for how you would like to receive your digitized audio files.

Digital files for are formated as high quality .M4A, .MP3, .AIFF, or .WAV files depending on your preference. Other audio formats are available as well.

For the best quality, if you send in audio cassettes, each side will be transferred to its own CD, or as a separate file if you opted for a thumb drive or Digital Download.

Yes, you will get back all of your original analog media along with your newly digitized audio files.

We will immediately let you know if we find that one of your tapes or records are blank and discuss what steps to take next. As standard practice, we convert the entire tape as it is because there could be audio at any point on the audio cassette or record. Please note, the processing for tapes takes the same amount of time whether the audio is an hour long or only a few minutes. For this reason, we charge for tape and record conversions per item instead of based upon the length of the audio.

We carefully record each audio tape in one take from start to finish, so we do not seperate audio tracks as part of our standard service. However, we do offer track separation as on of our add-on services.

Original Audio Quality (noise reduction, equalization, and audio editing are add-on features that are available as an additional charge) Preserved in a Digital Format

M4A Digital File (16bit 44.1khz)

MP3 Digital File (16bit 44.1khz)

AIFF Digital File (24bit 96khz)

WAV Digital File (24bit 96khz)

We can convert your audio tapes and records into these types of digital files: M4A, MP3, AIFF, and WAV.

Yes! Once your audio tape is digitized, we have many different methods of enhancing the quality of your audio files by helping with noise reduction, tape hiss, equalization, and audio editing.

If we have problems with one of your disks, we will move on to the next disk in your set. Once we are finished with all the disks you have given us, we will contact you about the disks that had probelms. If some of the disks are important to you, we have software that might be able to restore and save the information.

We do not transfer Iomega Jazz disks at this time but we are looking into it. We are always looking to offer new services. Contact us if you have a Jazz disk. We might be able to make this happen.

At this time, we only transfer the data as-is from your disk. We do not convert files from one format to another format. It is something we plan to offer in the future but not at this time.

We do not transfer 5¼-inch floppy disks at this time. We might offer this service at a later date. Check back soon.

We have performed some minor disk repairs in the past but we do not offer disk repair services at this time. It might be a service we introduce in the future. Check back soon.