- Final Verdict
- Comparison Table
- Company Credibility
- How do Both Services Work?
- Placing Your Order
- Packing and Mailing The Media
- Tracking of Your Media
- Conversion Process
- What Can You Get Back
- Turnaround Time
- Service Price Comparison
These two services are almost the same, so we decided to make indepth conparison to see which one of them is better.
There a lot of the online companies that offer services of converting old media to digital format, and they usually now offer shipping box kits for more convenient and secure way of mailing your old memories to them to get preserved.
Two service that you might be interested are iMemories as now one of most popular choices and Forever, also a digitizing service.
We are going to cover both of them in detail and see which one you should consider choosing for your precious memories.
Final Verdict: iMemories vs Forever
When it comes down to making the ultimate decision between these two services, it’s fair to say that both offer commendable options. However, there are certain distinctions that elevate iMemories above Forever.
While both are user-friendly, iMemories stands out for its enhanced convenience and affordability, offering a wider array of choices in terms of digital storage solutions.
iMemories
Moreover, what truly sets iMemories apart is the meticulous attention your media receives during the digitizing process. Their expert staff goes the extra mile, enhancing your content to ensure it looks its best. This includes potential repairs and scene edits, all provided to you free of charge.
Ultimately, the choice is yours, as you are best equipped to determine which service aligns more closely with your unique needs. However, if you’re looking for a recommendation, iMemories emerges as the superior overall choice.
iMemories and Forever Digitizing Comparison Table
| Service | Editor’s choice iMemories SafeShip Kit | Forever Digitization Box |
|---|---|---|
| Where to buy | Official website | Official website |
| Videotape conversion | VHS, MiniDV, Digital 8, 8mm, MicroMini, Hi8, VHS-C, Betamax | VHS, Beta, Hi8, Mini DV, DVDs, 3/4″ U-matic |
| Film conversion | 8mm, Super 8, 16mm (with and without sound) | 8mm, Super 8mm (with or without sound), and 16mm film |
| Photo conversion | Photo prints (up to 12X16), slides (any size), negatives (any size) | Prints up to 8” x 10” (larger than 8” x 10”), 35mm negatives and APS negatives, 35mm slides |
| Audio conversion | – | Cassettes, records, 8-track cassettes, and reel-to-reel tapes |
| DVD transfer | DVDs, MiniDVD | CDs and data discs |
| Special media | – | Standard 12” x 12” scrapbook album pages, photos larger than 8” x 10”, flash drives, external hard drives, 3.5″ floppy discs, flash memory cards, smartphones, and digital cameras with internal memory cards |
| What you receive back | DVDs, Blu-ray, Portable Hard Drive, USB Flash Drive, iMemories Cloud, Digital Download | USB Drive, Digital Download, DVD set |
| Price | Videotapes = $14.99 per tape Movie film = $14.99 per 50 ft. Photos = $0.49 per photo, slide, negative | 2 Item – Small = $36.00 10 Item – Medium = $180.00 20 Item – Large = $360.00 (an item can be a videotape, film reel or a set of 25 pictures) |
| Originals return | Yes | Yes |
 |      4.5 out of 5 |      4.8 out of 5 |
 |      4.7 out of 5 | n/a |
 |      4.0 out of 5 | n/a |
 |      4.4 out of 5 |      5 out of 5 |
| Shipping kit (box) | Yes | Yes |
| iOS and Android app | Yes | Yes |
| Stream on TV | Yes Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Samsung | Yes |
| Free media repair and enhancement | Yes | No |
| Easy edit and organize | Yes | – |
| Shipping time | 3 to 5 days | n/a |
| How long does it take to digitize (turnaround time) | 2 to 4 weeks | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Learn more | iMemories Review |
Evaluating Company Credibility
Before diving into a thorough comparison of the features and offerings of these two companies, it’s crucial to gauge their credibility and customer ratings. The trustworthiness of a service provider is paramount, especially when entrusting them with our most treasured possessions. Initially, we sought accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for both companies, but neither of them has obtained such accreditation. However, it’s worth noting that this absence isn’t immediately concerning unless there are active alerts, which, fortunately, we did not come across during our investigation.
Next, we turned our attention to their ratings across various platforms, which shed more light on their reputations. On Trustpilot, iMemories boasts a commendable rating of 4.5 out of 5, reflecting an overall excellent reputation. Meanwhile, Forever excels even further with a stellar rating of 4.8 out of 5 on the same platform.
Our exploration extended to Sitejabber, where iMemories shines even brighter with a remarkable rating of 4.7 out of 5, backed by a substantial number of reviews, surpassing 13,000. Over the past 12 months, iMemories has maintained an impressive 93.6% positive review rate. Regrettably, Forever has yet to receive any ratings on this particular platform.
Turning our attention to Yelp, iMemories boasts a solid 4 out of 5-star rating, while Forever, once again, does not have any recorded ratings at this time.
Lastly, we examined the official Facebook pages of both companies. Forever garners a perfect 5 out of 5 rating, indicating high customer satisfaction, whereas iMemories secures a commendable 4.4 out of 5.
In conclusion, our evaluation of both services reveals that both enjoy favorable ratings from satisfied customers. However, it’s worth noting that iMemories holds an edge by amassing more ratings across multiple platforms, which may influence your decision-making process.
How do Both Services Work?
Both iMemories and Forever operate primarily as online-based services, offering a convenient mail-in option with specialized shipping kits designed to ensure the professional and secure digitization of various forms of media.
These services cater to standard media types, encompassing videotapes, old films, photos, slides, negatives, and digital transfers. However, Forever distinguishes itself by extending its support to a wider range of media types, including audio, album pages, and the capability to handle bulk and custom orders.
When it comes to sending your precious media to iMemories, they provide two methods: utilizing their SafeShip Kit or employing your own packaging. Opting for the SafeShip Kit is strongly recommended, as it includes a sturdy, crush-proof box equipped with protective packaging to safeguard your media and other valuable items during transit.
In contrast, Forever exclusively utilizes its own proprietary boxes for mailing media. These boxes are available in different sizes or capacities, each tailored to accommodate varying quantities of media. The Forever Digitizing Boxes are offered in three sizes: 2-item, 10-item, and 20-item boxes, categorized as small, medium, and larger, respectively.
For instance, a 2-item box can house 2 tapes, 2 films, or 2 sets of 25 photos. Additionally, if you happen to have 3 items to digitize but have ordered a 2-item box, you have the option to include the third item, incurring an additional charge of $18 for every extra item.
Furthermore, Forever offers specialty boxes at a higher cost, intended for bulk orders and special projects, providing flexibility and tailored solutions for customers with unique digitization needs.
Placing Your Order
The process of ordering with both iMemories and Forever is streamlined and conveniently conducted through their respective websites, which provide comprehensive details to guide you through the process.
iMemories offers a particularly straightforward ordering process, requiring minimal advance planning. You simply place an order for their box kit, and there’s no need to make specific preparations beforehand. Once your order is confirmed, iMemories will promptly dispatch their box kit to your doorstep.
On the other hand, Forever’s ordering process involves a bit more consideration. You’ll need to carefully select a box size that aligns with the quantity of your media, ensuring it can accommodate all your items securely. Following your order placement, Forever will then send the appropriately sized box kit to your designated address.
Packing and Mailing The Media
Upon receiving your box kit, the next crucial step is to carefully pack it with your valuable media. iMemories offers a straightforward process, as previously mentioned. The kit includes protective packaging designed to secure your media items. Once you’ve safely packed all your media, you can affix the provided pre-paid shipping label to the box. Subsequently, you can conveniently drop off your kit at the nearest FedEx drop-off location for shipment.
Similarly, Forever follows a comparable process, with an additional step to enhance tracking and safety measures. Alongside the step-by-step guide and pre-paid shipping label, Forever’s kit includes barcode tags. These barcode tags are essential for meticulous tracking of your media throughout the digitization process, ensuring the utmost security. After attaching these barcode tags to each item, you can then affix the pre-paid shipping label and proceed to send your box to the service.
Tracking of Your Media
Both iMemories and Forever take their responsibility seriously, offering robust tracking mechanisms to keep you informed every step of the way. This commitment to transparency ensures that you are well informed about the status of your precious media throughout the digitization process.
iMemories provides real-time updates through their order page status, allowing you to conveniently track the progress of your media online. In addition to this, they also keep you in the loop through regular email updates. This comprehensive approach ensures that you are aware of critical milestones, including when your media safely arrives at the service facility, progresses through the conversion process, and is on its way back to you. These updates are designed to provide you with peace of mind, knowing that your memories are in capable hands.
Conversion Process
When it comes to the conversion process, iMemories and Forever offer differing levels of detail and services.
Forever’s approach to the conversion process remains somewhat enigmatic, with limited available details. Their primary focus appears to be optimizing old media for high-definition quality, ensuring an enhanced viewing experience. However, specific steps and additional services are not readily disclosed.
In contrast, iMemories offers a more comprehensive package. In addition to optimizing media for better viewing, they go the extra mile by providing free enhancement of memories. This service is geared towards improving the overall quality of your digitized content, making it look even more appealing. Furthermore, iMemories includes free repairs and scene edits, which can be particularly valuable for your cherished memories.
Thus, while Forever emphasizes high-definition optimization, iMemories sets itself apart by offering a broader range of services aimed at enhancing the quality and appeal of your digitized media.
What Can You Get Back
The choices for what you can retrieve are made during the initial order process and vary depending on the service provider. When your cherished memories are converted to digital format, they need to be stored in a digital medium of your choice.
iMemories offers a diverse array of options to cater to a wide range of customer preferences. Starting with classic choices, you can opt for DVD or Blu-ray formats. If you prefer a more modern solution, iMemories provides a cloud storage option accessible through their dedicated app, which can be installed on most devices. Additionally, you have the option to digitally download all your memories at no extra cost. For those with substantial amounts of media, there’s even an add-on choice in the form of a 1TB portable hard drive, ideal for accommodating larger collections.
Conversely, Forever offers a more streamlined selection with three primary options. By default, they include access to the Forever Center, where you can stream and view your digitized memories for a period of 60 days. Alternatively, you can download these memories to your computer or mobile device. Forever also offers the option to transfer your media to cloud storage. Finally, you have the choice of two digital storage formats: a thumb drive or a DVD set, though the latter is specifically for video content.
Both services understand the sentimental value of your original media and, therefore, offer the assurance of returning your original media alongside the selected digital storage option, preserving your cherished memories in their original form.
Turnaround Time
When comparing both services, it becomes evident that they share a similar turnaround time, typically falling within the range of 2 to 4 weeks. However, it’s essential to note that the precise duration may be influenced by the quantity and nature of the media you submit for digitization.
For those who seek a quicker digitization process, iMemories provides the option of expedited processing, though it comes with an additional fee. This can be a valuable choice for those who are eager to receive their digitized memories promptly.
Service Price Comparison
The pricing structures for iMemories and Forever offer distinct approaches that cater to different preferences and needs. iMemories simplifies its pricing by assigning specific rates to each type of media, allowing for easy cost calculations. Here are the prices for iMemories:
- Videotape: $14.99 per tape
- 50 feet of film: $14.99
- Photos, slides, and negatives: $0.49 per item
Conversely, Forever’s pricing is based on the size of the box kit you select. For standard box kits, the pricing is as follows:
- Small 2-Item Box: $36
- Medium 10-Item Box: $180
- Large 20-Item Box: $360
As previously noted, for each additional item included in the Forever box kit, there will be an additional charge of $18 per item.
It’s worth noting that Forever’s pricing for specialty box kits may vary, and you should consult their specific pricing details for these options.
When considering digital storage options, iMemories may initially appear more expensive. However, with Forever, the price for storage can increase if you opt for larger box sizes, as the storage costs scale with the quantity of media you include.
In terms of the core conversion service alone, iMemories emerges as the more budget-friendly option when compared to Forever.
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.