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SimplyDV: Your Digital Video Solution!

Transfer and transcoding of videotape recordings to file-based video formats for editing and archiving

Image of VHS cassette being loaded into professional VHS recorder

SimplyDV uses professional-standard technology for top-quality transfers

SimplyDV is based in Milton Keynes, UK, and exists to provide specialised videotape digitising services for professional archives, broadcasters, video/film libraries, charities and home video enthusiasts. The company benefits from expertise and technology acquired over more than four decades and is positioned to offer clients a very personal service.

We’re equipped to provide cost-effective digital video master files using a combination of carefully-maintained videotape playback systems and the very latest Analogue-to-Digital real-time conversion and transcoding hardware from leading brands such as Blackmagic Design.

We use broadcast TV grade hardware and software to transfer and transcode:

  • VHS, VHS-C and S-VHS
  • Betamax
  • U-Matic 3/4″ Low Band, High Band (BVU) and High Band SP (BVU-SP)
  • Video-8, Hi-8 and Digital-8mm
  • DV, MiniDV, DVCAM and DVCPRO
  • Betacam and Betacam-SP (Beta-SP)
  • Digital Betacam (DigiBeta), Betacam-SX (Beta-SX) and MPEG-IMX

PRO-VIDEO FORMAT TRANSFERS TO FILES FOR EDITING OR ARCHIVING:
Professional format 4:3 SD transfers to ProRes422, 10-bit/8-bit Quicktime, DPX Sequence and MPEG-4/H.264 from £24.00 (£20.00 + VAT) per hour or part thereof. See Price List. PLEASE NOTE: Media  (Hard Disc Drive or USB Flash Drive) is subject to separate quotation. Please ask for information.

HOME VIDEO (INCL. CAMCORDER) FORMATS TO MPEG-4/H.264 FILES:
Home video format (VHS, S-VHS, Video-8/Hi-8, MiniDV, Betamax) transfers to MPEG-4/H.264 starting from £15.00 (£12.50 + VAT)  for the first 90 mins and then an additional £10.00 up to a MAXIMUM of 3 HOURS (180 minutes). A three-hour tape converted to MPEG-4/H.264 will therefore cost you £25.00 incl VAT. PLEASE NOTE: This excludes the cost of the storage media – hard disc drive, USB stick, SD card etc – onto which files will be written.

HALF-INCH (1/2″) EIAJ HELICAL SCAN “AV” HIGH DENSITY FORMAT OPEN REEL VIDEO TAPE TRANSFERS:
All ageing 1970s open-reel video tapes in these standards suffer from hydrolisation and require heat treatment before attempting to transfer. Our combined price for baking and transferring each tape to editable file is £60.00 incl VAT per tape. Price of transfer only: £36.00 (£30.00 + VAT) per tape. Baking only: £36.00 (£30.00 + VAT) per tape. For more information on half-inch helical reel-to-reel video transfers see here.

Interested? Ask Colin Barrett via the Contact page.