Preserving memories in this day and age means everything to us because it’s what keeps us alive in a sense. Sometimes we forget certain moments from our lives, and we use our captured photos and movies to remind ourselves. As you might’ve noticed, these old formats of tapes and film get old as we do but much faster. As technology advances daily, so do the obstacles preventing us from viewing old video films and tapes.
After searching for the best solution to digitize old media to new formats compatible with modern devices, we came across Legacybox and Costco. Then, after diving deeper, we found a third option called iMemories which seems to be an even better option than these two. Keep reading to find out the differences between these digitization services.
Comparison Table
Name | iMemories Editors choice | Legacybox | Costco |
|---|---|---|---|
Product image |  |  |  |
Where to buy | Official website | Official website | Official website |
Videotape conversion | VHS, VHS-C, Betamax, 8mm, Hi8, Video8, Digital8, MiniDV, MicroMini | VHS, VHS-C, Hi8, Video 8, MiniDV, Betamax, MicroMV, PAL, Digital 8 | VHS, S-VHS, VHS-C, S-VHS-C, Betamax, Video8, Hi8, DV, DVCAM, MiniDV, DVC |
Film conversion | 8mm, Super 8, 16mm | 16mm, 8mm, Super 8, Regular 8 | 16mm, 8mm, Super 8, |
Photo conversion | Photo prints, slides, negatives | 35mm/126 slides, prints, 35mm negatives | Photos 2″ x 2″ up to 8″ x 12″. We cannot accept sheets or albums |
Audio conversion | No– | Reel to Reel, Micro-cassette, Audio cassette | No– |
DVD conversion | DVDs, MiniDVD | No– | – |
Price | Videotapes = $14.99 per tape Old films = $14.99 per 50ft. Photos, slides, negatives = $0.49 per item | 2 item starter = $65.98 (2 Tapes, or 2 Films, or 2 sets of 25 Pictures to Digital) 10 item starter = $299.98 (10 Tapes, or 10 Films, or 10 sets of 25 Pictures to Digital) 20 item starter = $599.98 (20 Tapes, or 20 Films, or 20 sets of 25 Pictures to Digital) 40 item starter = $1,179.98 (40 Tapes, or 40 Films, or 40 sets of 25 Pictures to Digital) | Videotapes = $19.99 per tape Movie films = $19.99 per 150ft. Photos = $0.32 per photo |
Originals return | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Trustpilot score | |||
iOS and Android App | Yes | No– | No– |
Free image and video enhancement | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Easy edit and organize | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Shipping information | USA Only = Free Shipping Excluded territories: Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Armed Forces Americas, Armed Forces Europe, Armed Forces Pacific | Contiguous USA Only = Free Return Shipping Excluded territories: Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Canada, or anywhere else outside of the contiguous US | Contiguous USA Only = $5.99 |
Shipping time | 3 to 5 days | 3 to 6 days | 5 to 7 days |
How long does it take to digitize | 2 to 3 weeks | 6 to 8 weeks | 3 to 4 weeks |
Learn more | Read Full Review | Read Full Review | Read Full Review |
Name | iMemories |
|---|---|
Price | |
Product image |  |
Videotape conversion | Official website |
Videotape conversion | VHS, VHS-C, Betamax, 8mm, Hi8, Video8, Digital8, MiniDV, MicroMini |
Film conversion | 8mm, Super 8, 16mm |
Photo conversion | Photo prints, slides, negatives |
Audio conversion | No– |
DVD conversion | DVDs, MiniDVD |
Price | Videotapes = $11.99 per tape Movie films = $11.99 per 50ft. Photos = $0.47 per photo |
Originals return | Yes |
Trustpilot score | |
iOS and Android App | Yes |
Free image and video enhancement | Yes |
Easy edit and organize | Yes |
Shipping information | USA Only = Free Shipping Excluded territories: Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Armed Forces Americas, Armed Forces Europe, Armed Forces Pacific |
Shipping time | 3 to 5 days |
How long does it take to digitize | 2 to 3 weeks |
Learn more | Read Full Review |
Name | Legacybox |
|---|---|
Price | |
Product image |  |
Where to buy | official website |
Videotape conversion | VHS, VHS-C, Hi8, Video 8, MiniDV, Betamax, MicroMV, PAL, Digital 8 |
Film conversion | 16mm, 8mm, Super 8, Regular 8 |
Photo conversion | 35mm/126 slides, prints, 35mm negatives |
Audio conversion | Reel to Reel, Micro-cassette, Audio cassette |
DVD conversion | No– |
Price | 2 item starter = $59.98 (2 Tapes, or 2 Films, or 2 sets of 25 Pictures to Digital) 10 item starter = $279.98 (10 Tapes, or 10 Films, or 10 sets of 25 Pictures to Digital) 20 item starter = $559.98 (20 Tapes, or 20 Films, or 20 sets of 25 Pictures to Digital) 40 item starter = $1,099.98 (40 Tapes, or 40 Films, or 40 sets of 25 Pictures to Digital) |
Originals return | Yes |
Trustpilot score | |
iOS and Android App | Yes |
Free image and video enhancement | Yes |
Easy edit and organize | Yes |
Shipping information | Contiguous USA Only = Free Return Shipping Excluded territories: Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Canada, or anywhere else outside of the contiguous US |
Shipping time | 3 to 6 days |
How long does it take to digitize | 6 to 8 weeks |
Learn more | READ FULL REVIEW |
Name | Costco |
|---|---|
Product image |  |
Where to buy | official website |
Videotape conversion | VHS, S-VHS, VHS-C, S-VHS-C, Betamax, Video8, Hi8, DV, DVCAM, MiniDV, DVC |
Film conversion | 16mm, 8mm, Super 8, |
Photo conversion | Photos 2″ x 2″ up to 8″ x 12″. We cannot accept sheets or albums |
Audio conversion | No– |
DVD conversion | DVDs |
Price | Videotapes = $19.99 per tape Movie films = $19.99 per 150ft. Photos = $0.32 per photo |
Originals return | Yes |
Trustpilot score | |
iOS and Android App | Yes |
Free image and video enhancement | Yes |
Easy edit and organize | Yes |
Shipping information | Contiguous USA Only = $5.99 |
Shipping time | 5 to 7 days |
How long does it take to digitize | 3 to 4 weeks |
Learn more | Read MORE |
Legacybox
What we like
- The company provides a shipping kit to make the process more efficient
- The process is simple and easy to understand
- Shipping is convenient
- Regular deals and discounts are available
- They accept and transfer a wide range of analog media, including audio formats
- The pricing is reasonable compared to other similar services
- Customers receive email updates throughout the digitization process
What we don’t like
- Some customers have reported that the digitization process takes longer than they expected.
Legacybox is a company service that helps people convert their old analog memories to digital format. They transfer media such as film, videotapes, audio, photos, and slides. The company has 10+ years of experience and professional staff who will digitize your old memories and handle them with care.
How Does LegacyBox Work?
Companies that offer digitization services today generally have a simple operating system, and Legabybox is no exception. It offers different size box kits equivalent to the number of media you plan to convert.
After your purchase, Legacybox will mail the box kit so you can fill in your media and send it back to be digitized. The kit also comes with a prepaid UPS shipping label and barcodes that you need to stick to each item so they can be tracked during the process and keep you updated with each step. If you’ve ordered a smaller box, but in the meantime, you’ve found additional tapes, that’s okay because you’ll find extra barcodes in the box that you can use. They will add the extra cost when it’s all converted.
The whole process may take 10 to 12 weeks, depending on the amount and type of media you send.
What Digital Option Does Legacybox Offer?
With each box kit, you can choose from three digital options for storing transfer media such as:
- Cloud
- Thumb drive
- Disc set
With the cloud option, there are also two choices. The first one, you get charged annually, which allows you unlimited downloads of digitized media with 90 days of backup. For the second option, you will be charged for a one-time-only download.
How Much Does Legacybox Cost?
Legacybox may seem a little expensive compared to other services, but they often have promotions, especially before the holidays. The lowest box kit is $59.99, which covers two items: two videotapes or films and two sets of 25 images. Other box kits range from $279.98 for ten items, $559.98 for 20 items, and a staggering amount of $1099.98 for a box kit of 40 items.
The box kit price doesn’t include a digital copy of your choice, which you will be charged additionally. Also, the price goes up depending on the amount of media.
So the cost of cloud storage starts at $5.99 for two items that renew annually, and for one-time downloads, the price is also $5.99. Also, the thumb drive and disc cost $5.99. The prices increase depending on the package you choose.
Costco
What we like
- Costco’s pricing is competitive
- Suitable for both small and large orders
- Simple and straightforward process
- Easy to order
What we don’t like
- Processing can take some time
- The service is outsourced to another company
- The service will no longer be available in the future.
As of January 28, 2023, Costco’s Home Video & Photo Transfer Service will no longer be available.
Costco, or the Costco Photo Center, to be more precise, is a well-known service. Besides all sorts of photo services, they also offer a transfer of your old home videos, films, old photo prints, and slides.
How Does Costco Work?
Costco has a partnership with YesVideo digitizing service, where YesVideo will transfer your memories, even if you order from Costco.
You usually find the Photo Center at the local Costco warehouse, but the physical locations were closed in 2021. But services are still available online.
To digitize your memories, the first thing you have to do is make an online order. After you make an order, you will get a shipping document printout which you will stick to the box in which you previously packed your media. After that, drop off your package at the nearest UPS store.
Transfer time can vary, but approximately you will have to wait 3-4 weeks before receiving your digitized memories. You could also track any updates about the order online and verify its progress anytime you’d like.
What Digital Option Does Costco Offer?
With Costco, you get the same digital options as with Legacybox, which are DVD, Thumb drive, and cloud, with one difference. You have the additional option of choosing both a DVD and a Thumb drive instead of only one.
How Much Does Costco Cost?
Costco is a little different in terms of pricing because it doesn’t offer box kits like Legacybox. Instead, they charge per item, and the price includes the digital copy.
For example, transferring one videotape will cost you $19.99 for a DVD, $24.99 for a USB, and $29.99 for DVD+USB.
As you can notice, for videotapes the price goes per item. For films, on the other hand, price is determined by feet. So for the first 150 feet, it’s $19.99 for the DVD option, and after that, every additional foot is $0.13.
For photos and slides, it’s similar; for the DVD option, the price is $19.99 for the first 62 photos and slides, and then it is $0.32 per photo and slide.
Also, with every order, besides the digital copy of your choice, they include a MemoryCloud account for downloading your media.
iMemories
What we like
- iMemories accepts and digitizes a wide variety of media types
- Many options for digital copies, including cloud storage with an app
- Quick turnaround time
- Affordable pricing
- Customers receive regular email updates throughout the process
- Includes enhancements and repairs for certain types of media
- Highly rated by customers
What we don’t like
- The shipping kit provided by iMemories may not be suitable for those sending a large quantity of media.
Like Legacybox and Costco, iMemories is also a well-known digitizing service with 15 years of experience and a popular choice among customers. Therefore, it is important to include and compare it with the first two services.
How Does iMemories Work?
When you look at iMemories, you will see that it combines the way Legacybox and Costco work. With iMemories, you can order a box kit, but also, if you prefer, you can send your media in your own box. The iMemories SafeShip Kit is a good option if you can afford it because it is crush-proof and contains additional protective packaging bags for your media, ensuring extra protection during shipping.
When they receive your media, no matter which method you use for shipping, you will receive a free, no-obligation quote that you can accept or decline. After you accept it, the digitizing process starts.
Additionally, you can submit whatever you want digitized, and they will sort and organize all your videos and photos for you, after which you can choose what you want to digitize. During digitizing, they will handle your media with care, and experienced staff will enhance specific media to look even better for free. For the broken film, they will professionally repair it without losing footage and also free of charge.
What’s also great is that iMemories keeps you updated with every step your media goes through via email and order page, so you don’t miss it.
What Digital Option Does iMemories Offer?
In terms of digital copies of your media, iMemories offers many options. You can choose from the iMemories cloud, customized DVD, USB, Blu-ray, and portable hard drives with 1TB of storage. However, what makes iMemories unique from the others is the included free digital download of your memories.
How Much Does iMemories Cost?
Compared with the other two services, iMemories offers you much more value for your money. So for transferring videotapes, it’s going to cost you $14.99 per tape, whereas, for movie films, it’s $14.99 per 50ft. For photo prints, slides, and negatives, it costs $0.49 per item.
As with other services, a digital copy is charged additionally, except for a digital download, which is free of charge. So for a custom DVD, it’s going to cost you $19.99 per DVD, $39.99 for an 8GB thumb drive, and for the iMemories cloud, it goes for $7.99 per month and $49.99 per year.
Costco vs Legacybox vs iMemories
Generally, all three services are good and have their own advantages and disadvantages. Although Costco will no longer be offering its services in the future, we will focus on Legacybox and iMemories services.
We’ll say straight away that in general, you won’t go wrong with choosing either of these two services.
Legacybox has a simpler approach to ordering, especially when it comes to a smaller amount of media, and also features conversion of audio formats such as audio cassette tapes and more. iMemories, on the other hand, doesn’t accept audio media. The only downside of Legacybox we could find is its processing time. Due to the large volume of orders they receive, the digitization process can take anywhere from 10 to 12 weeks.
For iMemories, the digitization process is a lot shorter and depending on the media type and volume of your order, it can take from 3 to 4 weeks. Ordering and shipping media with iMemories is even simpler, and you are not limited to a number of items per box and labeling like you need to with Legacybox.
In terms of the digital options for transferred memories, you have more options if you go with iMemories, but with Legacybox, you will also be satisfied. Additionally, if you prefer cloud storage for your media, iMemories offers better features with its cloud service, including lower subscription fees.
When it comes to the cost of services, Legacybox charges more per item than iMemories when looking at base prices, but with the fact that both services offer discounts, you could get a better deal with either of them.
What is Our Choice
Our choice for the best service to digitize your old photos and videos is iMemories. iMemories comes with an app that allows you to access and share your files from anywhere you are, while Costco and Legacybox don’t.
Buyers prefer a company that can handle different video formats. iMemories can digitize almost any format.
The difference between iMemories and other content preservation companies is that it has a good reputation. Also, its services are both high-quality as well as highly recommended by customers who have used them before. iMemories offers more affordable prices.
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.
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Can you put 8mm and 16mm on CD’s or DVD?
Yes, you can choose how you want to receive your newly digitized media. You can pick between a USB drive, Digital Download, DVD, or in some cases on Cloud Storage.