Tape Formats We Convert

• VHS / Super-VHS — The classic tapes many families have used for decades.

• VHS-C / Super-VHS-C — Compact versions of VHS often used in camcorders.

• Video8 / Hi8 / Digital8 — Popular formats from the 1980s to early 2000s for handheld camcorders.

• MiniDV — The tiny, high-quality tapes used in early digital camcorders.

• DVCAM — A professional-grade format often used in video production.

• HDV — High-definition digital video tapes used in semi-pro camcorders.

• MicroMV — Ultra-compact tapes from the early 2000s.

• Umatic — A bulky, early videotape format often used by broadcasters.

• Betacam / Betacam SP — Professional formats widely used in TV production.

• Betamax — Sony's once-popular home video format from the 1970s and 80s.

Disc Formats We Convert

• CD — Early discs used for short video clips or multimedia presentations.

• DVDCam / MiniDVD — Small DVDs used in camcorders to record home videos.

• DVD — A standard for storing home videos that may need upgrading.

• Blu-ray DVD — High-definition discs for crystal-clear video.

• Laserdisc — A large, retro video format that preceded DVDs.

Looking for a Format Not Listed?

If you have a format you don’t see here, just reach out! We’re continually expanding the formats we support and have a network of trusted partners for those unique or tricky conversions. Your memories matter, and we’re committed to helping you preserve every single one.

Plus, we go beyond simple conversion. At Picturli, we also rename and redate your digital files, making it easy to organize, sort, and search through your memories on any platform. Whether you want to relive those moments on your TV, phone, or online, we make sure your stories are ready to be shared for generations to come.

Our standard delivery format is an MP4 file using high-quality H.264 compression — the same trusted format used by YouTube, Netflix, and other major video platforms. This ensures your converted videos are easy to watch, share, and edit across all your devices.

Need a different digital format? No problem! Just let us know your requirements, and we’ll work with you to ensure your project is delivered precisely how you need it.

We deliver smaller projects on a USB thumb drive and larger projects on an external USB hard drive. We can also provide multiple drives if you need more for gifts or backups.

We don’t convert home movies to DVD because it’s an outdated and unreliable format for preserving your memories. DVDs have several major limitations: they’re prone to scratches, degradation, and disc rot, which can make your videos unplayable over time. They also have limited storage capacity (only about 4.7GB), meaning your videos must be heavily compressed, resulting in lower quality. Plus, many modern computers and devices no longer have DVD drives, making it difficult to watch, share, or edit your videos.

Instead, we deliver your converted videos on a USB thumb drive or external USB hard drive. These options are faster, safer, and far more reliable for long-term storage. They offer ample space for high-quality video files, are less prone to damage, and make it easy to copy, edit, and share your memories across any device — now and in the future. Your memories deserve the best, and we ensure they’re preserved in a format that keeps them accessible for generations to come.

Yes, for an extra service fee we can repair home movie tapes that are torn, broken, crinkled, or otherwise damaged.

Yes, for an extra service fee we can clean your moldy tape and convert it at the best possibly quality.

We convert entire tapes rather than selected sections because having our staff manually watch and capture specific parts would be more time-consuming and costly. By converting the full tape, we provide you with the most efficient and cost-effective service — ensuring you get the best value for preserving your memories.

We convert entire tapes rather than selected sections. However, for an extra fee we will edit the video into individual clips.

Nope. You won’t get charge for blank tapes.

Nope. We also don’t charge for duplicates.

While we don’t convert commercial movies or TV shows (such as major motion pictures, professional sports broadcasts, or licensed content), we understand there are exceptions. If you appear in a clip — for example, in an interview, personal feature, or demo reel — we’re happy to convert it for you. We just ask that you sign an indemnification form confirming you won’t sell or distribute the recording. This way, we protect your interests while respecting copyright regulations.

We use clues from the tapes, boxes, and video footage to rename your converted videos with relevant dates and subjects, making your video archive chronological and easy to search.

For instance, if a tape contains footage of a family trip from July 1995, the file would be named 1995-07-01_FamilyTrip.mp4. This thoughtful organization is included in our standard conversion service — with no additional cost — so you can quickly find and relive your cherished memories.

And the files are also re-dated so that it’s chronological on any platform.

We deliver your converted home movies in the MP4 digital video format, which is compatible with almost any device. You can enjoy your memories on your computer, smartphone, tablet, or most smart TVs — just plug in your USB drive or stream the videos directly from your cloud storage.

For an even more seamless experience, Picturli is a certified reseller of Projector.app — a platform that’s like Netflix for your home movies. Projector.app lets you easily organize, stream, and share your videos with family and friends. With this intuitive app, your cherished memories are always at your fingertips, ready to be played on any device, anytime.

Whether you prefer watching on your big-screen TV, your phone during a commute, or sharing clips with loved ones online, we make sure your memories are accessible and enjoyable wherever you are.

We deliver your converted home movies in the MP4 digital video format because it’s a universal standard that balances high quality with manageable file sizes. This makes it simple to share your videos via USB drives or online file-sharing services.

For added convenience, we also offer an optional YouTube upload service. We can create an unlisted playlist of your converted videos, making it easy for you to share memories with family and friends while ensuring the content stays private and unsearchable to the public.

Since we deliver high-quality digital video files, you can easily edit your home movies using most video editing software on both Mac and Windows computers. Apple iMovie (for Mac) and Windows Video Editor (for PC) are free, user-friendly options that often come pre-installed on your computer.

If you need help getting started, we offer an optional editing service at an additional charge. Whether you want to create a polished highlight reel or need guidance on basic edits, we’re here to make sure your memories are presented just the way you envision.