- Comparison table
- What they digitize
- Process
- Pricing
- Digital copy
- Customer reviews
- Alternative
- FAQ
- Final words
If you’ve heard about YesVideo, then you know they are one of the leading providers of digital conversion services in America. But, even if you never heard of them, you had to come across them without knowing, and that’s because they run their business in partnership with Costco, Walmart, and CVS pharmacy. YesVideo was founded in 1999, and the production studio is located in Norcross, Georgia, where they digitize old media.
YesVideo vs. iMemories Digitizing Service Comparsion Table
iMemories Editors Choice | YesVideo | |
 |  | |
Website Link | ||
Include Shipping Kit | ||
Turnaround Time | 2-3 weeks | 3-4 weeks |
WHAT THEY DIGITIZE? | ||
Videotape Conversion | Betamax, VHS, VHS-C, 8mm, Hi8, Digital 8, MiniDV, MicroMini | VHS, S-VHS, VHS-C, S-VHS-C, Betamax, Video8, Hi-8, Digital8, DV, DVCAM, MiniDV, DVC |
Digital Media Conversion | DVDs, MiniDVDs | Only DVDs that were previously digitized from YesVideos or their other retail partners. |
Film Conversion | 8mm, 16mm, Super 8 | 8mm, 16mm, Super 8mm (from 3-inch up to 10-inch film reel) |
Photo Conversion | Photos, Negatives, Slides | Photos from 2x2 up to 8x12 35mm, APS film, 110/220 film, 126 Instamatic films, large negatives. Each frame of the negative strip counts as an image |
Audio Conversion | N/A | N/A |
PRICING | ||
Videotape Conversion Price | $14.99 per tape + free digital download | $14.50 for the first 2 hours of tape footage, $14.50 for each additional 2 hours |
Digital Media Conversion Price | $14.99 per DVD or MiniDVD + free digital download | $14.50 for first 90 minutes of media, $14.50 for each additional 90 minutes of media |
Film Conversion Price | $14.99 per 50ft. + free digital download | $14.50 for the first 100 feet, $0.10 per foot after first 100 feet |
Photo Conversion Price | $0.49 per photo scan | $14.50 for the first 50 photos, |
Slide Conversion Price | $0.49 per slide scan | $14.50 for the first 50 slides, |
Negatives Conversion Price | $0.49 per frame scan | $14.50 for the first 50 negatives, |
Audio Conversion Price | N/A | N/A |
DIGITAL COPY PRICES | ||
Download is FREE Blu-ray $19.99 iMemories Cloud $7.99 per month or $49.99 per year | DVD $5.99 per disc | |
What Type of Media Can YesVideo Digitize?
YesVideo accepts and digitizes the following analog media:
- Videotapes: VHS, S-VHS, VHS-C, S-VHS-C, Betamax, Video8, Hi-8, Digital8, DV, DVCAM, MiniDV, DVC
- Old films: 8mm, 16mm, Super 8mm (from 3-inch up to 10-inch film reel)
- Photos: From 2×2 up to 8×12
- Slides: 35mm, Super 35mm, 110, 126, 127, 127 Superslide. They only accept cardboard or plastic mounts
- Negatives: 35mm, APS film, 110/220 film, 126 Instamatic films, large negatives. Each frame of the negative strip counts as an image
YesVideo Digitizing Process
YesVideo states that the whole process is easy and can be divided into three simple steps:
Step 1: Create Your Order
Gather the media you want to digitize. This step is crucial because you need to know how much you have when making the order. Next, you need to choose a digital copy (USB or DVD) and add a title to your project.
At first look, YesVideo seems to have a straightforward ordering and digitizing process like most services today. But during our research, we found it confusing and complicated to make an order, especially if you have a larger number of media of different types. Basically, for each item, you have to make a separate order before you send them. Other digitization services such as iMemories have a much simpler ordering process.
Step 2: Packaging and Sending Media
Package your media in a shipping box along with the appropriate printouts. Place the UPS prepaid label you receive when you complete the order and drop it off at the nearest location, or you can ship it directly to YesVideo using a carrier you prefer.
If you choose to go with the YesVideo service, we advise you to use a sturdy or crush-proof box for shipping your media. This is very important to emphasize the safety of your media during shipping. We are honestly surprised that YesVideo did not suggest this to their customers.
When your media arrive in the YesVideo facility, they tag all your media with a barcode and track them through the whole digitizing process. You can check the status of your order through their order status page.
Every video and image that YesVideo transfers are securely backed up for 60 days after your order is completed.
Step 3: Receive and Review Your Digital Memories
YesVideo stated if you send your media directly to them, they will notify you when your order is shipped back to you. Also, you can access your order online for 60 days with MemoryCloud, where you’ll be able to download videos and images onto a computer. You can also have them transferred to DVDs and USBs or save them to Google Photos.
Turnaround time for the whole process of sending and receiving your digital memories is 3 to 4 weeks, as YesVideo stated on their website.
YesVideo Pricing
Current pricing at YesVideo starts at $14.50 for a single item for all media types, and this price applies when your media is converted to an online digital copy. However, for USB or DVD digital copies, you will have to pay an extra $5.99 for the DVD and $11.99 for the USB.
With videotapes, you can digitize all footage from the tape or just the first 2 hours. For transferring videotapes to digital, the price starts at $14.50 for the first 2 hours, and for each additional 2 hours, it’s also $14.50 if you decide to digitize all footage from the tape.
For transferring old films to digital, the price starts at $14.50 for the first 100 feet. After the first 100 feet, it will cost you $0.10 per foot. If your old film has recorded audio, you can select the “Original Audio” box so they can digitize it along with the video.
The price for photos, slides, and negatives starts at $14.50 for the first 50 pieces of chosen media. After that, the price is $0.24 per piece.
They can also transfer DVDs and memory cards previously digitized from YesVideos or their other retail partners. This service starts at $14.50 for the first 90 minutes, and for each additional 90 minutes, it’s also $14.50.
What Digital Copy Options Do You Have With YesVideo Service?
With each order, you are getting a digital copy which you can view for 60 days with MemoryCloud access. Then you can download your digital copy to any device from the MemoryCloud account or add it to your Google Photos. Besides digital downloads, you can also include DVD or USB to your order.
Customer Reviews and Experiences With YesVideo Service
When we research services like this, we like to check big review sites like Trustpilot to see what the majority of customers think about the quality and customer service.
As for the YesVideo service, we found pretty low customer rating scores. On the Yelp website, we found 2 out of 5 stars with 151 verified reviews, then we checked Sitejabber, where it has 1 out 5 stars, and last but not least on Trustpilot, it has 3.5 out of 5 stars with zero reviews which is a bit odd.
We were unable to find any Google Reviews.
As for complaints, we found out that many customers have made orders directly with YesVideo and that they have been referred to nearby Walmart to drop their orders. This is one of the cases where customers get mad and confused because they have not realized that Walmart, Costco, CVS pharmacy, etc. are retailers for YesVideo service.
Also, there were cases where customers lost their precious memories during the shipping between Walmart and YesVideo.
We presume that most problems come from orders being poorly handled by Yesvideo retailers. You may already have heard about bad experiences with Walmart, Costco, CVS, etc. Now you know why.
iMemories – Best Alternative Service For YesVideo
Our top pick
What we like
- Offer shipping kit with safety packaging included
- Accepts various old media formats
- Fast turnaround time
- Highly rated by customers
- Affordable service prices
- Regular email updates
- Enhancements and repairs for specific media
What we don’t like
- Some customers have reported that the shipping kit provided by iMemories is small for larger orders.
iMemories is one of the best-rated digitizing services in the USA. They are based in Scottsdale, Arizona. iMemories also digitizes most popular media types except audio reels and cassettes.
The most significant difference between YesVideo and iMemories is in ordering, shipping, process notifications, and digital copy you can get back.
We said earlier that with YesVideo, you need to pack your media and drop it off at the nearest UPS location. With iMemories, you also have this option if you ship your media using your own box. Still, iMemories primarily uses its SafeShip Kit, a crush-proof box containing waterproof bags, shock-resistant cushions, and a prepaid shipping label from FedEx.
After ordering, iMemories will ship a SafeShip Kit at your door. With iMemories, you don’t need to order every single item you want to digitize like you need to with YesVideo. Instead, you just fill the box with all your media and send it directly to the iMemories facility.
When iMemories receives your order, you will get an email notification to review and pay for your order to be processed. Once you pay for your order, iMemories will begin processing it.
Using the SafeShip box and sending it directly to the iMemories facility are key steps in sending and receiving back your media without being lost or damaged. This is a big step up compared to YesVideo.
Digitizing process can take a while depending on the service you are using, shipping time, and the amount of media you send. YesVideo will notify you when they receive your order and when it’s shipped back to you. You also track your order on the “Order Status” page. For any other questions, you will need to contact their customer support.
With iMemories, on the other hand, you can track your order throughout the whole digitizing process, seeing each step in real-time. In addition, they can inform you via their “Order Status” page and regular email updates.
Types of digital copies that the service offers are also where customers decide about going with a particular service. YesVideo offers three options of digital copy, whereas iMemories goes even further by providing five digital copy options.
YesVideo:
- MemoryCloud
- DVD or USB
iMemories:
- iMemories Cloud
- DVD
- Blu-ray
- USB
- Portable Hard Drive 1TB
Looking at the price at first seems the same for both services. But in the end, iMemories is more affordable than YesVideos. For example, for converting VHS tape to digital, iMemories will charge you $14.99 for the whole tape footage, whereas YesVideo will charge you $14.50 for the first 2 hours of footage and $14.50 for each additional 2 hours.
This may not be a big deal knowing that most standard VHS tapes hold from 120 min to 160 min of footage. To see all media digitizing prices check our comparison table for these two services.
Frequently Asked Questions
They can replace your broken case from videotapes, repair basic ribbon damage, and clean up mild mold on tapes. However, suppose there is significant damage to the tape ribbon or excessive molds. In that case, they will send it back to you unprocessed.
You can expect to receive your original videotapes, films, photos, etc., back with the completion of your order.
Final Words
All in all, it seems that YesVideo’s service may need some time to improve its service and customer satisfaction ratings. However, this does not mean that the company is necessarily a bad choice for your video transfer needs. Instead, we suggest doing your research to see if other customers have had good experiences with the service and weigh those reviews against the ones we’ve shared here. Ultimately, only you can decide if YesVideo is the right fit for your needs.
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.