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
Format identification guide
What Kind of Tape Do I Have?
Labels wear off and the names are confusing. Size and shape are the best clues. Compare yours to the examples below — or skip all of it and text us a photo. We'll tell you what it is.
Camcorder tapes
Small tapes from home video cameras. These are the ones people mix up most. More on camcorder tapes
Video8 / Hi8 / Digital8
- About the size of an audio cassette, but thicker
- The tapes people call "little Sony tapes" — Canon and other brands used them too
- Look for "Video8," "Hi8," "Digital8," or a small 8 logo
MiniDV
- About 2½ × 2 inches — smaller than a deck of cards
- The smallest common camcorder tape
- Label usually says "DV" or "Mini DV"
Full-size tapes
Home video tapes that played in a VCR or Betamax machine.
VHS
- About 7 × 4 inches
- Goes straight into a regular VCR — no adapter
- The tape most families have the most of
Betamax
- About 6 × 4 inches — a bit smaller than VHS
- Often says "Beta" on the label
- Less common these days — ask us about Betamax
Still not sure?
Text a photo of the tape (front and side is best) to (757) 561-0805, or bring it by. We'll tell you what it is — no obligation.
Ask about your tapes8mm film or 8mm tape?
They share a name but they're completely different things. Here's how to tell.
8mm & Super 8 film
An open reel of actual film, usually on a small plastic or metal reel 3 to 7 inches across — sometimes in a yellow Kodak box or a round can. Hold it up to the light and you'll see tiny pictures. From home movie cameras, often silent.
8mm & Super 8 film transfer →8mm camcorder tape (Video8 / Hi8 / Digital8)
A closed plastic cassette about the size of an audio cassette. You can't see any pictures on the tape. From camcorders made from the mid-1980s through the 2000s.
Camcorder tape transfer →At a glance
Video tape sizes compared
| Format | Rough size | Quick clue |
|---|---|---|
| VHS | 7 × 4 in | Fits a regular VCR as-is |
| Betamax | 6 × 4 in | A bit smaller than VHS; often says "Beta" |
| VHS-C | 3½ × 2½ in, thick | Looks like a shrunken VHS tape |
| Video8 / Hi8 / Digital8 | About an audio cassette | "8" logo on the label |
| MiniDV | 2½ × 2 in | Smaller than a deck of cards; "DV" logo |
Also in the box?
Other things people find
Slides
Small square frames, about 2 × 2 inches, with a tiny photo in the middle. Usually in carousels, trays or small boxes.
Slide scanning →
Negatives
Orange-brown strips of film, usually tucked into the envelope that came back with your prints.
Negative scanning →
Audio cassettes
The classic music and voice tape, about 4 × 2½ inches, with two small reels showing through the window.
Audio cassette pricing →
Home-recorded DVDs
Discs from a camcorder or a DVD recorder, often hand-labeled. Store-bought movies can't be copied.
DVD 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
✓
Thanks — we got it.
We'll get back to you within one business day with a quote and next steps.
Get a Free Quote
A few quick questions. We'll write back within one business day.