U-matic, Betacam and other Studio Formats to Digital Files

Transfer Studio, U-Matic, and Betamax Tapes to Digital Formats

If you want to convert and integrate old studio footage, video projects, or business commercials into digital files and modern workflows, Two Squares can help. Our company professionally converts many media types, including U-Matic, Betacam, and Betamax. Best of all, we don’t charge studio-level rates to complete our transfers and conversions. When you transfer tapes to digital formats, your media stays preserved, functional, and at your fingertips.

Our company’s shop in Minneapolis, Minnesota, offers high-grade media conversion services to local customers. Don’t live in the area? Ship your video tapes to us for superior transfer and restoration results.

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Why Convert Studio, U-Matic, and Betamax Tapes to Digital Files or DVDs?

The evolution of studio video tapes is far more complex than how consumer-grade tapes evolved.

A rare format you’ve probably never heard of is quadruplex videotape. Introduced in the 1950s, the 2-inch quadruplex videotape was the first commercially successful way to record videos in tape format.

During the 1970s, a smaller format of 1-inch type C helical scan tape was used. These were a common studio video format, and a predecessor to U-matic tape.

There are a few key reasons we recommend transferring your tapes to digital formats. Unfortunately, many players used to record and playback classic videotape formats are extremely large and heavy. Making matters worse, older video recorders and players are becoming harder to find in working order as time passes. If you’re lucky enough to find a person or company who can repair these video playback devices, paying for these repairs probably won’t be cheap.

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Supported Professional-Grade Studio Tape Formats

Two Squares often fulfills requests for U-matic tape transfers and Betamax tape conversions. But we can also convert and transfer other tapes to digital formats.

The list below contains all studio tape formats Two Squares currently transfers and converts:

  • Betacam (S and L size tapes, NTSC and PAL)
  • Betacam SP (S and L size tapes, NTSC and PAL)
  • Betacam SX (S and L size tapes, NTSC and PAL)
  • Digital Betacam/DigiBeta (S and L size tapes, NTSC and PAL)
  • MPEG IMX (S and L size tapes, NTSC and PAL)
  • 3/4″ U-Matic (NTSC)
  • DVCam (NTSC)
  • DVCPro (NTSC)
  • EIAJ-1 Helical Scan Open Reel to Reel Video Tape (please call)

If you don’t see your tape format on the above list, please contact Two Squares. We’ll let you know if we’re able to transfer your tapes to digital formats.

Pricing

Pricing for Studio Tape and Betacam to Digital Conversions

  • $35/tape for Studio Tapes (Betacam, U-matic, DVCAM) converted to AVI/MPEG/etc and copy to your hard drive

    Optional: to put your video files on DVD, add:

    $10 per DVD – DVDs hold up to 2 hours of video

No setup charge | Flat price not dependent on tape length | Tape baking/rejuvenation included | Time base correction included | Scene menus on DVD included

Questions About Pricing?
Call Us (763) 400-4510 OR Email Us