Costco recently made a change in its photo center services, transitioning to Shutterfly on January 28, 2023. This transition means that the previous VHS to DVD transfer service offered by Costco is no longer available. To assist Costco Members and fans who may be impacted by this change, we have compiled a list of the top five alternative options that are comparable to the former Costco media conversion services.
Costco VHS to DVD transfer service was a great option for turning your home movies into high-quality digital copies that future generations can enjoy. But there are other alternatives to consider.
Whether you don’t have a Costco membership, need your digital memories faster, or simply want to compare Costco VHS to DVD to other options, this guide will help you find the best.
With over 20 years of experience, Capture has compiled all the pros and cons of each alternative including other retailers, online services, and do-it-yourself digital converters.
What is Costco VHS to DVD Transfer Service?
Costco conversion service used to be fulfilled by YesVideo. For 15 years, they could turn your VHS tapes into a DVD (or USB flash drive) with additional features including intelligent chapters, personalized themes, music, and highlight videos. In addition, they accepted other videotapes including S-VHS, VHS-C, S-VHS-C, Betamax, VHS-C, S-VHS-C, Video8, Hi-8, Digital8, DV, DVCAM, MiniDV, and DVC.
Their prices depended on the number of tapes you wanted them to convert into digital video files. For a simple Costco DVD transfer, you would pay $19.99 for the first tape of any length and $19.99 for each additional tape after that. Each DVD would store up to 2 hours of priceless home video content. Plus, the price included two DVD copies of your VHS memories.
Why Many People Consider Alternatives to Costco
Even before the recent transition, there were many reasons to consider an alternative to the Costco VHS to DVD transfer service, including features offered, cost, quality, processing and delivery speed.
The main reason that you may want to consider an alternative is that Costco is a membership-based program. If you don't already have a membership, you will need to become a member before you can take advantage of their photo center services, which no longer include a video transfer service. While the price for their VHS to DVD transfer was competitive, you would still need to pay $60 extra for the membership itself. You could also find yourself in one of Costco’s infamous treasure hunts, and leave with much more than you originally planned for!
Many previous customers also rave about their customer support and high-quality results, but a few claim that Costco wasn’t helpful with their DVD transfer or that their old VHS tapes weren’t handled with care. However, these negative reviews are far outnumbered by positive feedback, which is probably because Costco's services were fulfilled by the industry leader YesVideo, the parent company of Capture.
Still, another reason you may want to consider an alternative is that the time it takes to receive your digital files may vary greatly. Even though YesVideo can ensure fast processing, quality results, security, and delivery in less than 30 days, going through a retailer like Costco can complicate these guarantees due to unforeseen delays and situations.
Whatever your reasons may be for researching alternatives to Costco, there are some main factors to consider so that you can choose the best VHS to DVD transfer service.
What to Consider when Choosing a VHS Transfer Service?
To select the absolute best service to turn your analog home videos into high-quality digital format, there are some considerations to keep in mind.
Services
While you are mainly looking to turn old VHS tapes into DVD format, it’s still a good idea to see what other analog formats the company can digitize including others like VHS-C, MiniDV, or PAL formats. In addition, many services can also transfer Super 8 film and other film reels, photographs, and data CDs.
Digital Format Options
Even if you want a DVD copy, you should see what other digital formats the service might offer. Many conversion services can also turn your camcorder memories into a USB flash drive or digital download that you can store on a computer, hard drive, or Google Photos cloud storage.
VHS Tape Protection
Your videotapes contain all your precious memories, so you must select a transfer service that does everything they can to keep your analog tapes safe. The best VHS-to-DVD services offer order tracking, email notifications, and around-the-clock security for your priceless VHS tapes. Things like satisfaction guarantees, customer support lines, and repair services also indicate credibility.
5 Alternatives to VHS to DVD Costco Services
When deciding on the best alternative to Costco VHS to DVD transfer services, there are many factors to consider. That’s why we reviewed all the best options like DIY digital converters and online services. We also included pros and cons to make it easy for you to decide on a safe, professional quality, and budget-friendly option to transfer your memories to DVD video format.
VHS to DVD Converters
Image Source: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Roxio/Roxio/page/86C0D642-7A21-4A15-BC41-EC3FC06A4ECA
If you want to digitize VHS tapes yourself, many options can turn your memories into DVD copies. Most of these options, like the Roxio Easy VHS to DVD 3 Plus on Amazon, work by plugging directly into your VCR system or camcorder. Then, they transfer the files to your computer and onto a DVD. The problem with this is that you will still need a VCR (or camcorder) and a computer that has a DVD drive.
Another option is to use a VHS-to-digital converter like the ClearClick USB capture device, which has a screen so you can watch your home movies as they become preserved digital files. While these options have great reviews for converting VHS tapes, other videotapes, and even DVD and Blu-Ray players, they are not designed specifically for DVD transfer. That means there will be an extra step to create your DVD. These benefits and downsides are true of many popular options like the Elgato Video Capture and VIDBOX Video Conversion Suite as well.
While the best VHS-to-DVD converter options work well, they are time-consuming because the video transfer process will be completed at normal playback speed. In addition, they are targeted toward tech-savvy users, so it can be difficult to get the high-quality results you want for your DVD.
Pros
- Affordable options available
- Produces good results (some options even offer video editing features)
- Convenient with options that work with most computers
Cons
- Time-consuming
- Designed for tech-savvy users
- Could risk losing your original videotape memories if something goes wrong
- Still need a VCR or camcorder as well as a DVD drive on your computer
- The DVD version won't have chapters, themes, and other special features
Total Score: 5/10
We like this option for users who like technology and have some time on their hands. We don’t recommend it for people who don’t like learning new technology applications or anyone who doesn’t have the equipment needed, including a computer with a DVD drive.
VHS to DVD Recorder
Image Source: https://www.amazon.com/LG-Recorder-Combo-Remote-HDMI/dp/B001U6PUKI
This is an alternative to the Costco VHS to DVD service that’s much easier to use than a VHS to digital or DVD converter. That’s because it turns your old VHS tapes directly into DVD copies all within a single machine. All you have to do is insert the VHS tape and a blank DVD and start recording with the touch of a button or two.
These machines used to be much more common, but you can still find them online. However, due to the low demand for these VHS to DVD recorders, the prices are very high, up to $500 or more. For example, the LG VHS to DVD Recorder on Amazon is a refurbished option that costs $554.95.
Not only that, but reviews are mostly negative due to the quality of the transfer when compared to the cost. Still, it can be a great option if you aren't tech-savvy but still would prefer to do the VHS to DVD transfer yourself.
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Convenient with a single machine
- Designed specifically for DVD transfer
Cons
- Results may vary depending on the machine
- Time-consuming
- Expensive, up to $500 or more for a machine
- Could risk losing your VHS memories if something goes wrong
Total Score: 4/10
We don't recommend this option because it's expensive and unreliable but does offer a couple of benefits being convenient and usable.
Online VHS to DVD Kits
Online VHS to DVD kits are boxes that you can pack your VHS tapes in with a prepaid label. Then, you send it to the company for professional DVD transfer. You can expect good-quality results, plus, these kits usually include protective boxes for shipping to ensure your old videotapes and the memories they contain are safe during transit.
For example, iMemories will send a crush-proof box, waterproof bags, and shock-resistant bubble cushions for secure FedEx delivery. They also offer real-time updates throughout the order process and offer an app to view your entire digital library. However, they are expensive with regular prices being $29.99 per VHS tape and some reviews claim iMemories lost their analog media or that the result wasn’t as good as advertised or expected.
Another popular kit as an alternative to a Costco DVD transfer is Legacybox. They offer tons of benefits like convenience, good quality, and helpful customer service. Like iMemories, reviews aren’t always positive and indicate that LegacyBox’s handling of VHS tapes isn’t always optimal. Legacybox is also expensive, costing $65.98 for only 2 items ($299.98 for 10 tapes or $599.98 for 20). It will also take 10 to 12 weeks to get your digital versions and original media.
Pros
- Convenient
- Professional results
- Can get a digital download or USB as well as your DVD copy
Cons
- Some of these companies lose media often (according to reviews)
- Can be very expensive, especially if you have more than 1 or 2 VHS tapes
- Most services don’t enhance your VHS tapes in any way
- Could take 10 to 12 weeks for processing
Total Score: 7/10
While this option gets a high score for the professional results and convenient shipping box, they are very expensive and some of the reviews make us think twice about giving them a higher rating.
Other Retailers
You can check out other retailers as an alternative to the now defunct Costco VHS to DVD transfer service. Major brands like Walmart, Sam’s Club, and CVS offer these services, but most of them are fulfilled by YesVideo as well. That means you can expect the same high-quality results that you would from Costco, but you also won’t need a membership (or you can use your existing Sam’s Club membership if you have one).
One of the downsides of this option is that the pricing structure depends on the retailer’s fees, which means you can probably save money by going directly through Yesvideo’s brand, Capture, and its VHS to DVD service. Retailers can also get busy and backed up because they offer so many different services. This can cause slower digitizing times compared to the less than 30 days you can expect from Capture directly.
Still, this option is certainly a good one. It offers convenience, face-to-face communication, and customer support services.
Pros
- Likely fulfilled by YesVideo and Capture for professional quality service and results
- Good customer support and guaranteed satisfaction
- No need to ship yourself
- Local convenience with Walmart and CVS drop-off and pick-up options
Cons
- Pricing depends on the specific retailer’s fees (for example, CVS pricing starts at $25.99 whereas Walmart starts at $12.96 for the first 30 minutes)
- May get busy and stressful, which can delay processing times
- Not every retail location offers VHS to DVD services
Total Score: 7/10
We like this option because it produces high-quality results, but due to the retailer’s unique fees and potential delays, we encourage you to choose a company that specializes in more convenient VHS to digital services.
Capture VHS to Digital Converter Service
Capture offers the best VHS to DVD service available because they have over 20 years of experience with turning your analog memories into high-quality digital heirlooms. Plus, as the fastest service available, you get your DVDs and original VHS tapes back in less than 30 days, which is much faster than the industry average of 70 days or longer.
Capture also uses a state-of-the-art tracking and security system to track your VHS tapes every step of the way, so you can always have peace of mind knowing your precious memories are in good hands. Their satisfaction guarantee also means that if you are unhappy with the result, they will reprocess your memories free of charge.
In addition, they include minor VHS repairs and cleaning to ensure the DVD version is always the highest quality possible. One downside is that they do not offer enhancement or video editing services, so you will have to do that on your own.
Pros
- Professional quality results
- Results in less than 30 days (including transit)
- State-of-the-art tracking and security for your home movies
- Can convert many VHS types including VHS-C, S-VHS, S-VHS-V, and PAL format
- Produces your choice of DVD, digital download, or USB flash drive
- Satisfaction is guaranteed or reprocess offered for free
Cons
- No VHS editing services for enhanced color or resolution
Total Score: 9/10
Capture is the best way to transfer VHS to DVD with peace of mind knowing that your VHS tapes are safe, and the digital copy will be of premium quality. The only reason they don't receive a perfect 10/10 is that they don't enhance your VHS home movies and Capture might be more expensive than some low-end digital converter options.
What is the Best Alternative to Costco VHS to DVD Transfer Service?
Even though VHS to DVD Costco services are no longer available, you have plenty of alternatives from DIY DVD converters and recorders to online kits and more. However, with all things considered from convenience and services to affordability and quality, Capture is the absolute best available.
However, we always recommend you research any company or product because each offers different benefits and downsides. You may find a different option that works best for your home videos. If you want to learn more about Capture or discover the answers to some FAQs, check us out here.
