100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
If you’re unhappy with the digitization results, we’ll reprocess them for free.
The Fastest Premium Mini DV to Digital Service
Capture is the go-to brand for major retailers like Costco, Walmart, CVS, and more. When we convert Mini DV to digital, our exclusive partnership with Google Photos allows you to quickly access your memories in the Google Photos Library.
Mini DV tapes begin to degrade after only 15 to 20 years, which means they lose quality and can even become unviewable, especially when stored in hot, humid, or freezing environments.
That’s why it’s essential to convert Mini DV tapes to digital download, DVD, or USB flash drives so that you preserve and enjoy your home movies forever.
Capture professional digital transfer service not only provides the highest-quality results, but we also take exceptional care of your cherished home videos.
Plus, you will receive your original Mini DV videos and digital copies in less than 30 days, compared with other Mini DV digitizing services that take as long as 70+ days.
What is the Difference Between DV, Mini DV, and DVCAM?
Mini DV and DVC are interchangeable terms to refer to the same type of cassette format. DV is the term used to refer to the entire family of tape formats released by Sony and Panasonic in 1995.
The DV format stores digital video, unlike analog VHS tapes. Mini DV are smaller versions of large DV tapes, like VHS-C being a smaller version of standard VHS tapes. This made it easier to film home movies using a Mini DV camcorder than it would be using a full-size camcorder using bulky VHS tapes.
DVCAM is the professional version of DV and refers to a type of information format imprinted on the tape, whereas Mini DV and DVC refer to the cassette and physical tape itself. Therefore, when you want to convert DVCAM to digital, you typically still use a Mini DV cassette to do so.
In addition, Mini DV tapes offer vibrant color and resolution that is unavailable on VHS, compact VHS-C, and Betamax tapes.
Despite the developments and benefits, the release of the DVD player and HDMI connections ended the era of cassettes, which is why it’s so important to convert DV to digital to preserve the memories contained on your cherished videotapes.
Why Should You Convert Mini DV to Digital?
There are several reasons to transfer Mini DV to digital, including to:
Mini DV tapes wear out and degrade after 15 to 20 years, so transferring them to a digital file can preserve them for decades.
By digitizing your Mini DV tapes, you can protect your precious memories from distressing events, like fire, theft, or flood.
With digital copies of your old Mini DV tapes, you can organize by renaming, archiving, and adding additional information to your priceless memories.
While Mini DV cassettes are in fact “mini,” they still take up plenty of space. As digital files, you can store them on a hard drive, Mac or Windows computer, USB flash drive, or in the cloud (iCloud, Google Photos, Dropbox) instead.
Mini DV tapes don’t work on standard VCR systems and Mini DV tape deck players are becoming obsolete, but a high-quality digital video can be viewed on almost any modern device in real-time playback so your loved ones can enjoy for years to come.
By transferring Mini DV tapes to digital formats, your loved ones won’t have to fight over physical copies. Plus, you will be able to share with loved ones anywhere in the world online, on social media, or by email.
With digital copies of your VHS tapes, you can easily share your memories with friends, family, and neighbors online.
When you convert Mini DV cassettes, you can immediately take advantage of advanced features on platforms like Google Photos, including search, archive, and reminder tools.
With digital files, you can use video editing software to enhance the original media to HD video quality or create new memories by combining old Mini DV memories with video capture footage.
What options are there for Mini DV Video Transfer?
There are several different choices when it comes to digitizing your Mini DV tapes, each offers its own set of pros and cons.
Collapsible content
Mini DV to Digital Converter
A digital converter is a good option to digitize Mini DV tapes yourself. You can find reputable options on Amazon that use a USB cable to connect to your computer and an RCA cable to connect to your DVC video camera or Mini DV-compatible player. One affordable option is the Elgato Video Capture option for $86.98, or you can go for the higher quality ClearClick that includes a real-time LCD screen for $159.95. However, you may need an adapter if your Mini DV camcorder or VCR has an IEEE 1394 FireWire Cable port instead of a standard USB port.
Pros
- Affordable
- Produces good results
Cons
- Time-consuming with real-time digitization for every Mini DV cassette
- Targeted toward tech-savvy users
- Requires a Mini DV camcorder or device for playback (and may require extra JVC video camera cables or adapter cords too)
Screen Recording
This option allows you to record your home movies using a digital camera, camcorder, or smartphone and then upload the footage. While easy, this option will not produce great outcomes because of movement, outside noise, and more. However, it may be worth trying if you just want to quickly preserve your videotapes before they degrade.
Pros
- Easy
- Affordable (if you already have a digital camera)
Cons
- Low-quality results because you are recording, not converting, the original home movies
- Shows glares, sounds, and other imperfections more than other options
- Time-consuming with real-time video capture
Capture
This option allows you to record your home movies using a digital camera, camcorder, or smartphone and then upload the footage. While easy, this option will not produce great outcomes because of movement, outside noise, and more. However, it may be worth trying if you just want to quickly preserve your videotapes before they degrade. Capture will convert DVCAM to digital with the absolute highest standards so that your Mini DV memories can be preserved forever. As the fastest service available, we will finish the Mini DV to digital process in less than 30 days (compared with the industry average of 70+ days) while tracking your precious memories every step of the way so you can have complete peace of mind. Plus, if you aren’t satisfied, we will even reprocess your DVC tapes for free!
Pros
- Professional quality results, guaranteed
- Fast (transfer Mini DV to digital in 30 days or less, counting shipping!)
- Produces your choice of DVD, digital download, or USB flash drive
Cons
- Doesn’t offer video editing services or enhanced color or resolution
Local Stores and Retailers
There may be local stores in your area that offer Mini DV digitization services. In addition, major retailers like Costco, Walmart, and CVS can convert DV to Digital, but their services are fulfilled by Capture, which means you get all the benefits of professional digital files, efficient processes, and friendly customer support that we offer every customer.
Pros
- Fulfilled by Capture at many retailers for professional quality service
- Good customer support
- Efficient compared to the industry standard of 70+ days
Cons
- Pricing depends on the specific retailer or local store
- Not every retail location or community offers Mini DV to digital services (even places that offer the more popular VHS to digital services may not provide Mini DV conversion)
What Makes Capture the Best Choice to Transfer Mini DV to Digital?
State-of-the-Art Tracking and Security
See where your DV memories are every step of the way.
Trusted by Top Retail brands
Exclusive partnerships with major brands like Costco, Walmart, Google Photos, CVS, and Sam’s Club.
Sensitive Information Protection
Our secure system guarantees only customers have access to their memories.
Complimentary Backup
We offer a complimentary 60-day backup of your digitized media, so your home movies are protected no matter what.
The Fastest Turnaround Time
You will receive your digitized copies within 30 days – much faster than the industry standard of 70+ days.
Auto Integration with Google Photos
API integration to allow automatic transfer to your library. We also help iCloud users to upload media to their accounts.
Quality Care
We take great care in handling your Mini DV tapes because the memories they contain are your legacy.
How Our Mini DV to Digital Service Preserves Your Legacy
YourMini DV video tapeswon’t last forever, but you can preserve your captured memories and experiences with high-quality digital conversion using Capture.
Create digital format versions of your Mini DV cassette tapes in 3 easy steps:
Create your order using the button below. Then, gather your Mini DV tapes as well as any information you want to provide.
Send us your Mini DV tapes by adding a shipping label during the checkout process and dropping them off at your local courier.
In less than 30 days, you will receive digital copies of your Mini DV videos as well as your original cassettes in the same condition (or better if they require cleaning or repairs!).
Pricing and Turnaround Time to Convert Mini DV to Digital
Pricing and Turnaround Time to Convert Mini DV to Digital
When you convert Mini DV tapes to digital with Capture, you will only pay for what you get because we price our services based on the length of tape. Starting at $29.98 for the first two hours of each tape, we can digitize each additional 2 hours for $29.98.
In addition, when needed, this affordable pricing includes Mini DV repair and case replacement services. If the actual length is longer than what you originally paid for, our friendly customer support team will contact you to confirm what to digitize.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Mini DV tape is a type of compact cassette that, like Betamax and VHS tapes, uses magnetic tape to record home movies. They are also known as S-size, small cassettes, and DVC cassettes. Unlike VHS tapes, they stored digital video instead of analog, which means they offer higher resolution, better colors, and other benefits.
There are two main ways to put Mini DV memories on a Mac or Windows computer. The first is to do so yourself with a digital converter. This can be a good option if you have a lot of time on your hands and some understanding of technology. The second option is to have Capture transfer Mini DV to digital download onto your computer (DVD and USB flash drive options are also available!)
1. Once we receive your Mini DV tapes, we will carefully clean the tape, check for damage, and scan through the home videos.
2. Then, we use professional converting equipment to transfer home movies by hand into the highest quality digital format.
3. Before returning the original and digital versions back to you, we will check the color and quality and save a backup to ensure your memories are secure and beautiful.
4. You will receive your original Mini DV tapes and digital versions in less than 30 days including shipping so you can start enjoying and sharing your home movies ASAP!
2. Then, we use professional converting equipment to transfer home movies by hand into the highest quality digital format.
3. Before returning the original and digital versions back to you, we will check the color and quality and save a backup to ensure your memories are secure and beautiful.
4. You will receive your original Mini DV tapes and digital versions in less than 30 days including shipping so you can start enjoying and sharing your home movies ASAP!
There are 4 primary grades of Mini DV tape: Standard consumer Mini DV, Premium Series (PR), Videographers Grade (VG), and High Definition (HD or HDV).
Mini DV tapes will start to degrade after approximately 20 years, which can reduce video quality. In fact, they start degrading at about 20% annually after 20 years, sometimes quicker when exposed to heat and humidity. To avoid losing your home videos forever, it’s a good idea to convert Mini DV to digital as soon as possible.
What Other Formats of Videotapes Can Capture Preserve?
Don’t see a format that matches what you’re looking for?
