Many people would consider this the best possible VCR for transferring tapes recorded in SP format. With an Internal Time Base Corrector, Digital Noise Reduction circuitry, Dynamic Drum System, and number of other features, this VCR can play back tapes too far gone for many others, while providing the most optimal source image quality

This model of Mitsubishi D-VCR contains the same TBC and DNR circuitry as the high-end JVC S-VCRs along with a tape delivery mechanism comparable to Panasonic editing decks, making it an excellent VCR for both SP format tapes and multi-generation LP format tapes.

When I just want to watch a movie on VHS, this is the VCR I reach for. While not as highly accoladed as the AG-series, this machine is very capable and outperforms the JVC HR-S9800 on some LP and SLP format tapes.

If your tapes come from somewhere outside of North America, there’s a decent chance they’re recorded in a format incompatible with VCRs that were sold in the United States. But even if your home movies were recorded in PAL or MESECAM, we’ve got you covered.

We keep a variety of other VCRs on hand just in case one of the above doesn’t quite get the job done. VHS tapes are quite chaotic, and can play differently on different systems depending on a wide variety of factors.

When my friends and I made movies back in the late 90s and early 2000s it was usually on a Sony DCR-TRV much like these. The video continuation of 8mm and Super8 film, these were a blast. Wanting to make high-quality transfers of our old tapes is one of the things that prompted the beginnings of Vast Horizons!

The smallest of the three main camcorder formats, Mini DV allowed for some truly teeny tiny cameras. This Panasonic DVC-20P isn’t one of them. However, it does have great playback mechanics!

VHS’s compact little cousin. While VHS-C to VHS adapters do exist for playback inside VCRs, they’re notorious for eating tapes. And just like with VHS, VHS-C tapes play back better on machines similar to those they were recorded on, so we try to keep a number of these in stock to find the best match.

We’re always on the look out for new, good quality equipment, and keep a number of different playback options on hand for all formats so that we can customize our workflow to your tapes.

Oh baby, do I love this TEAC A-4070. My dad recorded a whole stack of 7-inch reels while in Vietnam. When he retired and moved cross-country, he passed those tapes and this player down to me. Wanting to preserve his recordings, along with learning to keep this machine maintained, was another catalyst for the start of Vast Horizons.

Compact audio cassettes are basically a transport shell for 1/4-inch tape, but lower in audio quality due to different audio being recorded on each side of the tape. Our vintage NAD 6240 is in great shape and has a number of adjustable settings to help in getting the most out of your cassettes.

Compact Cassette had a little cousin too! Primarily used to record voice, these were a common choice for answering machines and dictation devices. Never great quality, these were unfortunately a common choice for genealogy interviews, but with a touch of post-processing we can usually bring those voices back to life.

Who doesn’t love that warm, nostalgic glow of 8mm film? Our Wolverine F2D MovieMaker Pro scans each frame individually and produces a 1080p video file, which we then edit to the correct frame rate depending on film type, along with fixing any orientation and other issues in post-processing.

All physical images and other paper documents are scanned by hand using our Epson Perfection V600. A back-lit scanner that is capable of digitizing slides and film strips at very high DPI, it comes with Digital ICE technology for scratch-removal and a load of other features to ensure archival-quality digital copies of your scrapbooks and slide collections.

This TBC and Proc Amp combo unit was originally designed for use inside of broadcast television studios. Its capable of rebuilding decayed analog video signals and allows for on-the-fly color correction. Using devices like this helps us ensure that your home movies are transferred and preserved in the highest possible quality.

When used as a passthrough-device, there are a few models of DVD recorders that are capable of correcting specific types of VHS playback issues. We can spot those problems, and introduce our friendly Panasonic DMR-ES15 into the digitization pathway when appropriate.

You can find an endless number of mass-produced upscalers and capture devices with identical hardware sold under different brand names for cheap on Amazon, but you pay for what you get with those. We use a StarTech.com converter and an Elgato HD60X capture card for upscaling without compression problems or noticeable digital artifacting. And for special requests, we utilize an authentic ATI TV Wonder 600 USB to capture non-upscaled but near analog-quality video. You can screw a coax cable into that thing!

Davinci Resolve Studio is the professional version of Blackmagic Design’s video editing suite. We use it for all of our editing needs, from adjusting frame rates to doing color correction to cleaning up audio and everything in-between.

All upscaling after digitization is performed using Topaz Labs Video Enhance AI. Upon request we can upscale your video into true high-definition resolutions, and beyond!

For most digitizations, we record using OBS. For special orders using the ATI TV Wonder 600, we record using VirtualDub.

For audio-only projects, we record using Audacity.