Do I Get My Tapes Back? (The Short Answer: Yes!)
When you trust Digital Media Now with your family memories, we understand that these physical objects are priceless. Whether it’s a single VHS-C or a massive crate of 8mm reels, the question of what happens to the originals is one of the most important ones we answer.
Yes, Everything is Returned
Once the digitization process is complete, we return all your original tapes, films, and slides to you. We don’t believe in destroying your history. Even if a tape was broken and we had to repair it, or if it was heavily mouldy and required cleaning, the original media is returned to you alongside your new digital files.
Why You Should Keep Your Originals
Even though we provide high-bitrate, broadcast-quality digital files, we always recommend that you keep your original tapes in a cool, dry place.
- The Ultimate Backup: Your digital files are convenient and easy to share, but the original tape remains your “master copy.”
- Future Technology: As technology continues to evolve, you may want to re-scan a specific film reel in 20 years. Keeping the original ensures you always have the source material.
Our Secure Return Process
We treat your tapes with the same respect as if they were our own. Our return process is designed for peace of mind:
- Tagging & Tracking: From the moment your tapes arrive at our South Tamworth studio, they are tagged with your unique order number. They are never “bundled” with other customers’ tapes.
- Climate-Controlled Storage: While they are in our care, your tapes are kept in a secure, climate-controlled environment to prevent further decay.
- Professional Packaging: When we ship your tapes back (to Port Macquarie, Sydney, or anywhere in Australia), we use sturdy, padded packaging and Tracked Return Post. You will receive a tracking number so you can follow your memories all the way to your door.
Restoration & Recovery
If you brought us a “hopeless” tape that was snapped or unplayable, we still return the repaired physical tape to you. Because we use a Blackmagic Teranex to stabilize and restore the signal during the transfer, the digital version you receive will likely be much clearer than the physical tape could ever be again—but the tape is still yours to keep.
What if I don’t want them back?
While we always return the originals by default, some customers prefer not to have the bulky tapes taking up space once they have their digital copies.
If you decide you no longer want the physical tapes, please let us know. We can arrange for secure, eco-friendly disposal and recycling of the materials after you have confirmed you are 100% happy with your digital files.
Your memories are safe with us—from the first frame to the final delivery.
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