VHS-C
- About 3½ × 2½ inches, and fairly thick
- Looks like a shrunken VHS tape
- Often came with a full-size adapter for a regular VCR
- Common in JVC, Panasonic and RCA camcorders
VHS-C · Video8 · Hi8 · Digital8 · MiniDV
Camcorder Tape Transfer in Williamsburg
The small tapes from home video cameras, converted to digital files. You don't need to know which kind you have — text us a photo and we'll tell you.
$30 per tape · any camcorder format
Or call (757) 561-0805
Find your format
Which camcorder tape do you have?
Labels wear off and the names are confusing. Size and shape are the best clues. All of these are $30 per tape, so you don't need to get it exactly right.
Video8 / Hi8 / Digital8
- About the size of an audio cassette, but thicker
- The tapes people call "little Sony tapes" — Sony Handycams used them, and so did Canon and other brands
- Look for "Video8," "Hi8," "Digital8," or a small 8 logo
MiniDV
- About 2½ × 2 inches — smaller than a deck of cards
- The smallest of the common camcorder tapes
- Label usually says "DV" or "Mini DV"
- Lots of late-90s and 2000s weddings and baby videos
Still not sure? Text us a photo of the front and side, or see our format identification guide.
Common mix-ups
The ones people confuse most
Hi8 vs. MiniDV
MiniDV is noticeably smaller. If it's close to the size of an audio cassette, it's in the Video8/Hi8/Digital8 family. If it's closer to a matchbox, it's MiniDV.
VHS-C vs. Hi8
VHS-C is noticeably thicker — close to an inch — and looks like a miniature VHS tape. Hi8 is thinner, closer to an audio cassette, and usually shows the 8 logo.
8mm tape vs. 8mm film
An 8mm tape is a closed plastic cassette. 8mm film is an open reel of actual film, the kind you'd put on a projector — that's our 8mm film transfer service.
What you get
No camera needed
Most people bring these in because the camcorder is long gone, or it still works but the charger went missing years ago. You don't need the camera — just the tapes.
- An MP4 video file of each tape, playable on any phone, computer or TV.
- Basic trimming and a quality check on every tape.
- A private download link, active for 30 days (extend 90 days for $15).
- Your original tapes back at pickup.
| VHS-C, Video8, Hi8, Digital8 or MiniDV | $30 / tape |
|---|---|
| 5–9 tapes | 5% off |
| 10–24 tapes | 10% off |
| 25–49 tapes | 15% off |
| 50+ tapes | Custom archive quote |
| USB drive (32GB) | $25 |
| Playable DVD copy | $20 / disc |
Volume discounts count VHS and camcorder tapes together and apply to transfer charges. Full price list.
Common Questions
Camcorder tape questions
They all use the same size cassette. Video8 was the original (mid-1980s), Hi8 was a sharper version, and Digital8 recorded digital video onto the same kind of tape. The label usually tells you which one you have, and we charge the same $30 per tape for all three.
No. MiniDV tapes are noticeably smaller — about 2½ by 2 inches — and the label usually says "DV" or "Mini DV." Hi8 tapes are closer to the size of an audio cassette. Both are $30 per tape.
No. Just the tapes. Most people bring these in because the camcorder is long gone or the battery charger went missing years ago.
Yes. VHS-C is the compact camcorder version of VHS, and it's $30 per tape like the other camcorder formats.
No. 8mm camcorder tapes (Video8, Hi8, Digital8) are closed plastic cassettes. 8mm film is an open reel of actual film from a home movie camera. We do both — see our 8mm film page for film pricing.
Ready When You Are
Tell us what you have. We'll do the rest.
A few quick questions, no commitment. We'll send you a real quote written by a real person — usually the same day.
Prefer to talk? We answer the phone and texts. We're a small, local operation and we'd rather have a five-minute conversation than send you a form letter. Not sure what you have? Text a photo.
Call or text us
(757) 561-0805
Phone & scheduling: Mon–Fri 9–5 · Sat 10–2
Drop-off by appointment · Williamsburg, VA
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