Digital Converting

You can convert or scan all of your analog media or family memories into computer files! Once converted to a computer file, you can upload those memories to social media, burn them to a DVD, email them to relatives, and more. 

• 8mm and Super 8 film reels
• 35mm film negatives 
• 35mm slide negatives
• Audio cassettes
• Print Photos
  • minimum: 2" x 2"
  • maximum: 8" x 10" 
• VHS Tapes
  • Both NTSC (American) and PAL (European) tapes
• VHS-C tapes (Compact VHS)
• Video 8 and Hi-8 camcorder tapes
• Vinyl Records
  • 33 and 45 speed

We do not have equipment for Betamax, MiniDV, 16mm film reels, VHS tapes in SEACAM format, 8-track audio cassettes, audio film, or 78 speed vinyl records. 

• Elgato Video Capture
  • This device connects the VHS players and Video 8 camcorders to the iMac
  • This device will work with any playback device that connects using RCA (red, yellow, white) or S-video cables
• Epson FastFoto FF-680W batch scanner
  • Stack up to 35 photos scanning as fast as 1 photo per second
  • As small as 2"x2" and as large as 8"x10"
  • Resolution: 300, 600, 1200
• Epson Perfection V800 flatbed scanner
  • Scanning bed is 8.5" x 11.7"
  • Scanning resolution up to 12,800
  • Four film holders: 35mm negatives, 35mm slides, 6 x 20cm and 4" x 5"
• Music Hall USB-1 Vinyl Record Turntabel
  • 33 speed and 45 speed with adapter
• VHS to VHS-C adapter
  • VHS-C tapes, or "Compact VHS," can be used in the VHS players with the adapter
• VHS Player for NTSC format
  • NTSC is the tape format used in North and South America, and parts of Western Europe
• VHS Player for PAL format
  • PAL is the tape format used in Eastern Europe, and parts of Asia and Africa
• Video 8 camcorder
  • Video 8 tapes only
• Hi-8 camcorder
  • Works with Video 8 and Hi-8 tapes
• Wolverine MovieMaker Reels to Digital
  • Fits up to 5" film reels
  • The Library of Things has the MovieMaker Pro for up to 9" film reels

• Plan your project! Addison Public Library cardholders can reserve the Sound Studio up to 7 days in advanced for up to 2 hours a day. Everyone else can use the room was a walk-in if it's available. 
  • Consider checking out equipment from the Library of Things to convert at home. 
• There are How To guides available for each piece of equipment. Follow the step-by-step instructions to convert your media all on your own. 
• Staff are not readily available to assist with equipment. If you need assistance, please Request an Appointment. 

• For most formats, converting happens in "real time." If your VHS tape is 2-hours long, it will take 2-hours to convert. 
  • 8mm and Super 8 film reels take longer. A 3" reel will take about 30-minutes, a 5" reel takes about an 1 hour, a 7" reel takes about 2 hours, and a 9" reel can take up to 4 hours. 
• Bring a USB flash drive. Saving to a USB flash drive is faster than uploading files to cloud storage (Google Drive or iCloud).
  • 1 hour of video is about 1 GB of storage
  • 150-350 photos is about 1 GB of storage
  • 230 songs is about 1 GB of storage
• After converting to digital, you can use software like Photoshop, iMovie, or Garaband to edit or restore your files! You can learn more about these programs using the Craft & Maker Databases.