Question 1

Why not transfer to DVD?

Accepted Answer

Many newer computers no longer have DVD drives, and standalone DVD players are becoming obsolete. Additionally, DVDs can degrade over time, especially if they’re not stored properly. Factors such as heat, humidity, light exposure, and surface damage can all contribute to deterioration.

One of the most common issues is “disc rot”, where the reflective layer of the disc breaks down, making it unreadable. This often occurs due to high humidity, environmental contaminants, or physical wear.

While DVDs were once a reliable storage format, they are no longer the most practical option for preserving memories. Digital formats—such as USB, cloud storage, and online platforms—offer greater longevity, accessibility, and convenience. Transferring your DVDs to a modern format ensures your memories remain safe and easily shareable for years to come.

Question 2

I'm not sure what kind of media I have?

Accepted Answer

If you’re not sure which media you have to start your order, please email us a picture of your media at dakersdigitalstudio@gmail.com.

Question 3

Why Can’t I copy 4GB Files to 64BG USB?

Accepted Answer

When converting video or film to digital, the resulting files can often exceed 4GB in size. While downloading and playing these files on a PC or Mac is generally easy, you may encounter issues when transferring them to certain USB flash drives—even if they have enough storage. This happens because many USB drives are formatted with the FAT32 file system, which has a 4GB file size limit. To transfer larger files, you’ll need to reformat the USB drive to exFAT, a file system that supports larger files.

How to Format Your USB Drive to exFAT

Important: Formatting will erase all data on the USB drive, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.

For Windows Users:
Connect your USB drive to your computer.
Open File Explorer (press Windows + E).
Locate the USB drive under "This PC" and right-click on it.
Select "Format" from the menu.
In the "File System" dropdown, select exFAT.
(Optional) Rename the drive in the "Volume Label" field.
Ensure "Quick Format" is checked.
Click "Start" to begin formatting.
Once complete, safely eject the USB drive.

For Mac Users:
Plug in your USB drive.
Open Finder and go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Select your USB drive from the list.
Click the "Erase" tab.
Under "Format," choose exFAT.
(Optional) Rename the drive in the "Name" field.
Click "Erase," then confirm your choice.
Once the process is complete, eject the USB drive.

Your USB drive is now ready for larger file transfers, allowing you to store and share high-quality digital video files with ease.

Question 4

How do I prepare photos for being scanned?

Accepted Answer

Before submitting your order, we recommend wiping down the photographs you plan to have scanned with a lint-free cloth. Removing dust, fingerprints, and smudges ensures optimal scanning results. Next, please sort the photos into envelopes or zip lock bags and label each, your digital file folders will match the labeling you provide.

Additionally, ensure all photos are oriented the same way, with the top of each photo facing the same direction. Please note that our scanning system is automated and cannot manually title each photo.
Any photos received with residual glue from stick down albums can not be run through our scanners, instead we will take a high-quality photo, crop the image and provide a digitally enhanced version for your collection.

Question 5

How long will my order take?

Accepted Answer

Your order will take 3-4 weeks from the time you send it to us to when you get it back. You will get an email notification once we receive your media, and another email when we have competed your order.

Question 6

Why should I transfer my media to digital?

Accepted Answer

Transferring your old videotapes to digital format can be a great idea, especially if you have precious memories captured on those tapes that you want to preserve and share with others.

Here are some reasons why you might want to consider transferring your old videotapes to digital:

1. Preservation: VHS tapes and other analog formats can deteriorate over time, causing the quality of the video and audio to degrade. By transferring them to digital format, you can ensure that the content will be preserved for years to come.

2. Convenience: Digital formats are more convenient to access and share than VHS tapes. You can easily store your videos on your computer or in the cloud, and share them with friends and family via email, social media, or other digital platforms.

3. Better Quality: Transferring your old videotapes to digital format can also improve the quality of the video and audio. Digital formats can provide better resolution, color correction, and noise reduction than analog tapes.

4. Easy Editing: Once your videos are in digital format, you can easily edit and enhance them using video editing software. You can add music, text, and special effects to your videos to make them more engaging and enjoyable to watch.

In summary, transferring your old videotapes to digital format can be a great way to preserve your memories and make them more accessible and shareable.

Question 7

Can we just send you our photo Albums?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we are happy to do this for you. For pocket albums, we will remove each picture from your album, scan and place it back.  Removal of photos from albums that used stick down mats, or presents any risk of damaging the photo, will not be removed.  Instead, we will take a high-quality photo, crop the image and provide a digitally enhanced version for your collection.

FAQ