Every item you send is handled with care and professionally digitized using high-quality equipment. We use tailored settings for each media type to deliver the best results, so your files are easy to view or listen to. 

 

What to expect from digitization

Photos

• Digitized at 600 DPI as a JPEG
• A standard 4x6 photo becomes a file of about 9 megapixels. Larger photos can scale up to about 28 megapixels, depending on size.
• Great for viewing, printing, or zooming in on details
• Only the front of each photo is digitized.

Slides

• Digitized at 4000 DPI as a JPEG
• Each slide becomes a file of about 18 megapixels (around 7MB)
• Preserves detail and color for enlarging or archiving
• Stereo slides are digitized as standard 2D images.

Negatives

• Digitized at 4000 DPI as a JPEG
• Each frame becomes a file of about 18 megapixels (around 7MB)
• Captures high-resolution images for long-term preservation

Digital photo*

• Saved as a JPEG
• Resolution and file size vary based on the original quality.

Documents

• Digitized at 300 DPI as a JPEG
• An 8½" × 11" page becomes a file of about 9 megapixels (around 8–10 MB)
• High resolution keeps text sharp and readable, even for fine print or handwriting.

Audio recordings

• Digitized at 256 kbps and 48 kHz as m4a files
• Each side of a tape creates a file of about 65 MB. Longer recordings can scale up to about 150 MB, depending on length.
• Preserves voices, stories, and sound in high-quality files 

Videotapes

• Digitized at 640 × 480 (SD) as an MP4
• Each standard videotape becomes a file of about 1–2 GB. Longer recordings can scale up, depending on length and how the videotape was originally recorded.
• Preserves your recordings in digital files that are easy to view on modern devices.   

Movie films

• Digitized at 2048 × 1536 (2K) as an MP4
• A standard film reel becomes a file of about 1–15 GB, depending on length.
• Sound is digitized when available.   

Digital video*

• Saved as an MP4
• Resolution and file size vary based on how the video was originally recorded.
• Digital video is transferred as recorded, without additional compression, and reflects the quality of the original media. 

*If a digital item, like an SD card or HDD camcorder, has both photo and video files, each file will be processed based on its type.

 

What affects digitization quality

The condition of your original items affects the quality of your digital files. 

Photos and documents that are old, faded, damaged, bent, wrinkled, or stuck together may not scan clearly, and your digital files may reflect those same issues. To help protect your items and get the best results, pack them flat and consider separating delicate items with white tissue paper or stiff cardboard for extra protection.

Audio recordings with poor sound quality or blank spots will create a digital version with the same issues. We recommend listening to your recordings before sending them so you know what to expect in the final files.

Videos and films that are old, damaged, warped, degraded, or recorded in low light may result in blurry, distorted, or unstable footage in the digital version. Color shifting, tracking errors, and flickering are common in older or worn tapes and films, and may appear in the digitized version. 

Digital files that are low resolution, blurry, overexposed, have muffled audio, or include other issues caused when they were originally captured will appear the same after digitization. Files that are damaged, corrupted, or unreadable may not transfer correctly or at all. If possible, review digital files before sending them to make sure you know what to expect in the final files.

While digitization won’t correct issues in the original item, AI enhancements are available for select media types and can help improve clarity, color, and detail after digitization.

If an item is blank, too damaged, or can’t be digitized, we’ll return it to you without making a digital copy.

 

Frequently asked questions

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