At every Walmart store, you'll find, if you didn't already seen, a dedicated Photo Department equipped to handle digital photo transfers and video conversion services. Not only are they available during regular business hours, but the Media Department also extends its services to weekends, holidays, and select weeknights.
Let's delve into all the essential details regarding the pricing of converting VHS tapes to DVDs at Walmart. Discover the costs involved when opting for Walmart's professional VHS to DVD transfer service.
Summary
DVD Walmart, Walmart's media transfer service, offers a broad range of services for converting physical media to digital formats. However, the lack of specific customer reviews may raise reliability concerns despite its convenience and competitive pricing.
On the other hand, iMemories stands out as a robust alternative due to its proven track record in digitizing millions of memories and the added security of its unique "SafeShip Kit", making it a potentially superior choice for preserving your precious memories.
We also reviewed the Costco Photo Center, which you can learn more about and see what you can expect from their service.
iMemories
DVD Walmart and iMemories Comparison Table
DVDWalmart | iMemories Editors Choice | |
 |  | |
Website Link | ||
Shipping kit (box) | No | Yes |
Free repairs (splicing) | No | Yes |
Average turnaround time | 3-4 weeks | 2-3 weeks |
Expedited turnaround time | n/a | n/a |
Reviews Across Multiple Websites | Trustpilot: n/a Sitejabber: n/a Yelp: 2.5 out of 5 | Trustpilot: 4.6 out of 5 Sitejabber: 4.7 out of 5 Yelp: 4.0 out of 5 |
WHAT FORMATS THEY CONVERT | ||
Video Conversion | VHS, S-VHS, Betamax, VHS-C, S-VHS-C, Video8, Hi8, Digital 8, DV, DVCAM, MiniDV, DVC | Betamax, VHS, VHS-C, 8mm, Hi8, Digital 8, MiniDV, MicroMini, DVDs, MiniDVDs |
Film Conversion | 8mm, Super 8mm, 16mm | 8mm, 16mm, Super 8 |
Photo Conversion | Prints from 2" x 2" to 8" x 12" | Photos, Negatives, Slides |
Audio Conversion | N/A | N/A |
PRICING | ||
Video Conversion Price | Starting at $12.96 for the first 30 minutes of footage, then $5.46 for each additional 30 minutes. | $14.99 per tape |
Film Conversion Price | Starting at $12.96 for the first 50 feet of film, then $0.20 per foot. | $14.99 per 50ft. |
Photo Conversion Price | Starting at $12.96 for the first 35 photos, slides and negatives, then $0.45 per item. | $0.49 per photo |
Audio Conversion Price | N/A | N/A |
How Does the DVD Walmart Service Actually Work?
It's a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few simple steps. Let's walk through it together.
Placing Order
First things first, gather all the media that you want to transfer and head to the DVD Walmart website. There, you'll create an online order and customize it to your liking. You can choose the type of media you want to transfer (such as DVDs or USBs), select a name for your media, and make any other desired customizations. It's your chance to personalize your order and make it truly yours.
At this point, it's worth mentioning that Walmart collaborates with a trusted professional transfer service called Capture, formerly known as YesVideo. Capture has been a reliable partner of Walmart for over 14 years and also serves other renowned brands like Costco and Sam's Club.
Sending Media
Once you've completed the order process, it's time to send your media for transfer. There are two convenient options available. The first option is to bring your media, along with the order confirmation, to your nearest Walmart Photo department. Their dedicated team will assist you in finalizing the process.
The second option is to mail your order. Simply package your media securely in a sturdy shipping box and include the order document printout. Attach the UPS prepaid shipping label provided and drop it off at the nearest UPS location. Alternatively, you can also choose to use a shipping service of your preference to send the package directly.
Receiving Your Transferred Media
The final step depends on the method you choose for sending your media. If you opt to drop off your order at Walmart, you'll receive a notification when your order is ready for pick up. Head to the designated Walmart location and collect your transferred media.
For those who chose to mail their order, you'll also receive a notification when it's ready and on its way back to you. So rest assured that your precious memories are being safely returned to your doorstep
The DVD Walmart service ensures a seamless and hassle-free experience from start to finish, allowing you to easily preserve your cherished moments.
What Media Types Can Walmart Transfer?
DVD Walmart offers a wide range of media types that can be digitized and transferred. Here's a comprehensive list of the analog media types they can handle:
Videotapes: VHS and S-VHS, Betamax, VHS-C, S-VHS-C, Hi-8, DVCAM, MiniDV, DVC, Digital8, Video8, DV
Film Reels: Regular 8 mm, Super 8 mm, 16 mm
Photos: Sizes from 2″ x 2″ up to 8″ x 12″
Slides: 35 mm, Super 35 mm, 110, 126, 127 Superslide, 127, and 120/220 Medium. It's important to note that slides should be in plastic or cardboard mounts.
Negatives: 35mm, 110/220 film, APS film, 126 Instamatic Film, Large Negatives
Additionally, DVD Walmart is equipped to handle digital media formats as well. They accept previously transferred DVDs from Walmart and YesVideo, as well as items that other service providers originally digitized. They can also process DVDs, MiniDVDs, CDs, and VCDs. For digital files, they accept various formats such as MPEG1, MPEG2, AVI, Quicktime, and WMV for videos and JPEG for photos.
Transferring Process
When it comes to the transfer process, DVD Walmart ensures that your media is preserved at the quality of your original footage. The final quality of the transferred media will depend on the condition and resolution of your original media. It's important to note that DVD Walmart does not provide additional editing or enhancement services like some other digitizing services.
For digital files, the standard capture resolution is typically 720x480, which is the same resolution as MiniDV. This resolution is higher than the estimated resolution of VHS tapes, which is around 333x480.
In the case of film transfer, the footage may undergo slight enhancements, such as improved color vibrancy and reduction of scratches, dust, and lint from the film surface. When it comes to photo transfers, DVD Walmart aims to preserve the quality of your printed photos, ensuring that the transferred images closely match the original prints.
Slide transfers may undergo slight color correction based on the image to enhance the overall quality and accuracy. For negative transfers, the quality is preserved, similar to the printed photo if it were developed from the negative.
Lastly, when transferring digital media to DVD, a slideshow movie will be created with a resolution of 720x480. With a commitment to maintaining the integrity and quality of your original media, DVD Walmart ensures a faithful representation of your cherished memories in digital format.
Recognizing customer concerns regarding the condition of their videotapes and the need for repairs, DVD Walmart provides select repair services to tackle common issues:
- If the case of your videotape case is broken or damaged, they are able to replace it.
- For videotapes with minor ribbon damage, they can repair and restore them.
- In cases where there is slight mold on the videotape, they offer a cleaning process.
What You Can Get Back
When you place an order with DVD Walmart, you have the option to choose how you want your digitized media to be delivered. Here's what you can expect to receive:
Digital Copy and MemoryCloud Access: Your order will include a digital media copy of your transferred content. This digital copy allows you to conveniently access and view your memories on compatible devices. Additionally, you will be provided with MemoryCloud online access, where you can download or save your digitized media. It's important to note that this online access is available for a period of 60 days after your order is processed, giving you ample time to secure your memories.
DVD or USB Options: If you prefer a physical copy of your memories, you have the choice to add a DVD or USB to your order. These options serve as excellent backup solutions and provide a tangible format for your digitized content.
For DVD copies, you can expect the following features:
- Slideshow of your images and videos.
- Chapters are created at scene breaks for easy navigation.
- DVD case with thumbnail images for each chapter.
- Optional title, theme, and background music (if selected).
- Three music video trailers, each lasting for one minute.
On the other hand, USB copies offer the following features:
- MP4 video files of each digital video, with a maximum resolution of 1920x1080.
- JPEG image files of each digital image.
How Long Does Process Typically Take
The typical turnaround time for DVD Walmart is approximately 3-4 weeks from the moment you send your media or drop it off at your local Walmart Photo department. During this time, the media transfer process and any necessary repairs or cleaning will take place.
Rest assured that you will receive email notifications to keep you informed about the progress of your order. You will be notified when DVD Walmart receives your media, and you will receive another email once your transferred media is shipped back to you or available for pick-up at your local Walmart Photo department.
While the process may take a few weeks, DVD Walmart strives to ensure that your media is handled with care and that the final result meets your expectations.
Return of Original Media
Once your order is complete, DVD Walmart will return all your original media and containers to you. In the case of movie films, they will be cleaned and spliced onto new 7-inch plastic reels provided by Walmart. Your original reels will be returned to you empty.
How Much It Cost To Transfer Media With Walmart
The cost of transferring media with Walmart varies depending on the type of media being transferred.
Here's a breakdown of the pricing for each media type:
Videotapes: The service starts at $12.96 for the first 30 minutes of footage. For each additional 30 minutes of footage, there is an additional cost of $5.46.
Film Reels: For old films, the cost is $12.96 for the first 50 feet of film. After the initial 50 feet, there is an additional charge of $0.20 per foot.
Photos, Slides, and Negatives: The pricing structure remains the same for photos, slides, and negatives. The service starts at $12.96 for the first 35 items. After the initial 35 items, there is an additional cost of $0.45 per photo.
What Are The Customer's Ratings and How Satisfied They Are?
While researching for verified customer reviews, we encountered difficulties in finding specific ratings and reviews for DVD Walmart. Our research indicates that there are no available customer ratings or reviews on popular platforms such as Trustpilot or Sitejabber specifically for DVD Walmart.
However, we did find some customer ratings for the predecessor service, YesVideo, which was previously used by Walmart. On Trustpilot, YesVideo has an overall rating of 3.5 out of 5, although there were no written reviews available. On Yelp, YesVideo has an overall rating of 2 out of 5, with a mix of frustrated and angry customers who expressed concerns about lost memories. It's important to note that these ratings pertain to YesVideo and not specifically to DVD Walmart.
While customer experiences can vary, it's worth considering individual reviews like the positive one you mentioned, which highlights fast service, great video quality, and the return of tapes in the same condition. Ultimately, it's recommended to exercise caution and reach out to DVD Walmart directly or inquire with Walmart customer service for more specific information about their media transfer service and any associated customer satisfaction ratings.
Alternative for DVD Walmart - iMemories
What we like
- They digitize most media types
- Plenty of options for digital copies
- Fast turnaround time
- Reasonably priced
- Regular email updates during the whole process
- They include enhancements and repairs for specific media
- Highly rated among customers
What we don't like
- iMemories shipping kit might be small for you if you send a large number of media.
If you're uncertain about transferring your media with DVD Walmart, an alternative option to consider is iMemories. iMemories is an established online media transfer service with a wealth of experience, having digitized an impressive 35 million memories over the past 15 years. They take pride in their track record of never losing or damaging any customer's memories, which is a significant assurance.
The process of working with iMemories is similar to Walmart, particularly if you choose to mail your media for transfer. However, iMemories goes the extra mile in terms of security by offering a "SafeShip Kit," which is a crushproof box that includes all the necessary protective packaging, guides, and prepaid shipping labels. The kit is meticulously tracked throughout each step of the process until your media is safely returned to you, digitized and preserved.
To learn more about iMemories and explore their services in detail, you can read our comprehensive review or visit their official website for further information.
Conclusion
DVD Walmart offers a comprehensive, professional media transfer service capable of converting various media types, including VHS tapes, film reels, photos, slides, and negatives, into digital formats. The service is simple, convenient, and can be initiated either online or in-store. While their partnership with Capture, formerly known as YesVideo, assures professional handling, customer reviews specific to DVD Walmart are lacking, which may raise concerns for potential customers. However, their competitive pricing and wide range of services could make them a worthwhile option for those looking to digitize their cherished memories.
For those who are uncertain about DVD Walmart, iMemories presents a reliable alternative. With a solid track record of preserving customer memories and a unique "SafeShip Kit" that ensures the safety of your media, iMemories could provide a more reassuring option for some customers.
Abdo is a Zoopy writer who loves spending his free time outdoors, camping, and enjoying the peace that nature brings. He also enjoys fixing things - he's particularly good with electronics. His favorite movie is I Am Legend, and he's fascinated by survival gear and safety.