- Comparison Table
- Legacybox and Southtree Side By Side
- Is Southtree Connected to Legacybox?
- Why Legacybox?
- Why Southtree?
- Which Company Should You Choose?
We all probably have some memories stored away in an old film, VHS tapes, photos, and audio cassettes. The good news is we’ve got the technology to make sure those moments live on for generations.
Ever since analog devices such as VCRs became obsolete, we asked ourselves what would happen to all this footage trapped on older formats such as tapes and film reels?
Luckily, today many company services specialize in digitizing old media, but how do you choose the right one with so many out there?
Southtree and Legacybox are two popular digitizing companies. But, of course, there are many factors that you will need to take into account when picking one of them. Hopefully, this comparison highlights some crucial differences between the two popular services, making you more informed.
Legacybox and Southtree Comparison Table
Legacybox Editors Choice | Southtree | |
Website Link | ||
Shipping kit (box) | Yes | Yes |
Free repairs (splicing) | Yes | Yes |
Average turnaround time | 10-12 weeks | 10-12 weeks |
Expedited turnaround time | 3-4 weeks | n/a |
Reviews Across Multiple Websites | Trustpilot: 3.0 out of 5 Sitejabber: 3.6 out of 5 Yelp: n/a | Trustpilot: n/a Sitejabber: 3.6 out of 5 Yelp: 2.5 out of 5 |
WHAT FORMATS THEY CONVERT | ||
Video Conversion | VHS, VHS-C, Mini-DV, Hi8, Digital 8, MicroMV, Betamax, 8mm Video Cassette | VHS, VHS-C, MiniDV, Hi8, Digital 8, MicroMV, Beta, PAL to NTSC |
Film Conversion | 16mm, 8mm, Super 8, Regular 8 | 16mm, 8mm, Super 8 |
Photo Conversion | Prints, 35mm Negatives, 35mm/126 slides | Prints, Slides, Negatives |
Audio Conversion | Reel to Reel, Audio Cassette, Micro-Cassette | Cassette, Reel to Reel |
PRICING | ||
Video Conversion Price | $59.99 for 2 tapes $279.99 for 10 tapes $559.99 for 20 tapes $1099.99 for 40 tapes | $15 per tape |
Film Conversion Price | $59.99 for 2 films $279.99 for 10 films $559.99 for 20 films $1099.99 for 40 films | $25 per film |
Photo Conversion Price | $59.99 for 2 sets of 25 pictures $279.99 for 10 sets of 25 pictures $559.99 for 20 sets of 25 pictures $1099.99 for 40 sets of 25 pictures | $0.25 per photo |
Audio Conversion Price | $59.99 for 2 audio items $279.99 for 10 audio items $559.99 for 20 audio items $1099.99 for 40 audio items | $15 per audio |
What we like
- Comes with shipping kit
- A good option for bulk photo scanning
- Simple and easy process
- Regular deals and discounts available
- Accepts and transfers a wide range of analog media, including audio formats
What we don’t like
- Some customers report a longer digitization process than expected
At Legacybox, preserving your valuable memories is their top priority. They offer a safe and convenient way to digitize your old analog items, such as VHS tapes, film, and photos.
You’ll receive a prepaid box to pack with your items, which can be digitized to an optional thumb drive or cloud download. Updates on every step of the process are provided to ensure a smooth delivery.
Legacybox is a highly popular digitizing service due to its commitment to safety and attention to detail.
Located in Chattanooga, TN, Legacybox has over 10 years of experience in the industry and a state-of-the-art 110,000 sq ft production facility. Trust them to carefully digitize your memories and make them last forever.
What we like
- Reasonable prices for both smaller and larger orders
- Straightforward and simple process
- Can digitize audio media
What we don’t like
- Cannot digitize damaged media
- The process may take some time to complete
Southtree, located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, offers a user-friendly digitalization process for old media files. They offer 9 different package options to choose from, ranging from 2 to 40 items, based on the size of the kit you want to send in for digitization.
Another difference with Southtree box kits is that they also provide a Mix-and-match box which lets you put more types of media than just one.
Once you place your order, Southtree will send you a crush-proof box with a prepaid return shipping label and item barcodes, making the whole process simple and convenient. With its straightforward processes, reasonable pricing, and excellent customer service, Southtree is a popular choice for those looking to digitize their cherished memories.
Legacybox and Southtree Side By Side
Southtree and Legacybox are two online companies that specialize in converting old analog media to digital format. Both companies offer digitizing box kits to provide a more convenient and secure process for their customers, as well as a transparent cost determination. The kits come with a crush-proof box, prepaid shipping label, and barcodes for item labeling, which enables tracking of the media throughout the conversion process. If you decide to add additional items, both companies provide barcodes to label them accordingly.
When it comes to media types, our research revealed that both companies accept almost the same types of media and provide digital copies as the final output.
The primary difference between Southtree and Legacybox is that Southtree offers a wider variety of box kit sizes, while Legacybox only allows one type of media per box. Moreover, Southtree offers the option of mix and match boxes, which means that customers can send different types of media in a single box. Lastly, Southtree’s pricing may be more affordable due to available discounts.
In summary, both Southtree and Legacybox offer similar services, but Southtree may be the better option for those seeking more flexibility in terms of box sizes, media types, and pricing.
Is Southtree Connected to Legacybox?
In 2009, Lee University classmates Adam Boesalager and Nick Macco began digitizing home movies in their garage. After that, they launched Southtree in 2009 and Legacybox in 2013.
Southtree is always expanding its portfolio of brands to keep up with the latest trends. For example, in October 2018, Southtree added a third brand – Kodak Digitizing. In addition, Southtree has helped 750,000 customers convert their media into digital formats (three million videos) and made more than 1 million DVDs for them.
Why Legacybox?
Legacybox is a company that helps you preserve your memories by digitizing all of those old shoe boxes full of elementary school photos. Unfortunately, the tapes and photographs could suffer from water damage or get lost forever without reliable technology.
Legacybox is a company that provides mail-in services to digitize your old photographs and videos for preservation. The team has over 300 employees who work together to bring you back those memorable moments from years ago.
Legacybox offers a simple way to preserve your memories in 3 steps:
- First, pack up all analog media and ship it off to them. They provide their customers with step-by-step instructions with safety barcodes on every item and pre-paid UPS shipping labels so that you can easily track them throughout their journey.
- The team of professionals will manually digitize every item by hand and provide personalized updates at each step during the process.
- You receive all your original media back, perfectly preserved copies on the cloud, labeled DVDs or thumb drives. Then gather family members around for some popcorn and begin reliving memories from years past.
What Can You Get Back with Legacybox?
A whole lot! We’re sure that there’s something for everyone with so many options. You’ll receive the following:
- Digital Download
- DVD
- Thumb Drive
It’s all in a nice convenient package tailored to suit your needs.
How Long Does the Complete Process Take?
The entire process takes approximately 6-8 weeks from starting time when they receive your filed box.
You’ll receive regular updates throughout the digitizing process, including access to a personal concierge who can answer any questions about how your memories are being saved.
How Much Does Legacybox Cost?
The 2 items starter package costs $65.98, but the site usually has some deal going on, so it might come down to $35.98. Click here to find out if the sale is currently on. This 2 items starter price covers up 2 tapes, or 2 films, or 2 sets of 25 pictures, with the highest priced option 40 item trunk going as far as $1179.98 for 40 tapes, or films, or 40 sets of 25 pictures.
Why Southtree?
Southtree offers a variety of services to help preserve old media. For example, after digitizing your analog formats, customers can receive their original footage back by mail with preferred delivery methods, including DVDs or thumb drives alongside cloud storage options.
Southtree accepts the following formats of tapes, film, photos, and audio:
- VHS
- VHS-C
- MiniDV
- Hi8
- Digital 8
- MicroMV
- Beta
- PAL to NTSC
- Prints
- Slides
- Negatives
- 16mm Film
- 8mm Film
- Super8
- Audio cassettes
- Reel-to-Reel audio
Here’s how it all works in 3 steps:
- You’ll need a Southtree box for this process. The box comes with safety barcodes for each item, along with pre-paid return shipping labels so you can feel confident about sending your memories off.
- Southtree has a team of professionals who will digitize every item by hand and with personalized updates at each step.
- You’ll receive all the originals alongside new perfectly preserved digital copies for easy access anytime.
How Long Does the Complete Process Take?
Once they receive your filled Southtree box, the whole process takes about 6 to 8 weeks, but you’ll have access to a personal assistant who will answer all of your questions throughout the entire time.
How Much Does Southtree Cost?
Southtree offers more options than Legacybox, so it’s bound to be easier to pick the one you want. Their price ranges from $39.99 to $649.99, but you get a 40% discount with a coupon code.
Which Company Should You Choose?
The question of which company to choose for your digitization needs is a debated one, but ultimately both Southtree and Legacybox offer similar services with some differences in features and pricing. While both companies have the same goal of converting your old analog media into digital format, they have their own strengths that can cater to different needs.
Southtree is an excellent choice if you only have a few items to digitize, and you can choose from a variety of box sizes that fit your needs. On the other hand, Legacybox may be the better option if you have a large collection of media to digitize, as their bulk packaging allows for a more cost-effective solution.
It’s also worth noting that both companies offer discounts from time to time, so it’s best to check their current pricing before making a decision. Ultimately, both Southtree and Legacybox are reputable companies that offer quality digitization services, and you can’t go wrong with either one. So, if you have memories that you want to preserve and digitize, look no further than these two companies.
Bato is the father of three beautiful children. When he's not dealing with product reviews and comparisons, he enjoys hiking through untouched nature. He loves adrenaline sports such as skiing, hiking, rafting, and scuba diving. In addition, he likes to grill and discover new exciting food.