Umatic to Digital Transfer

$39.99 ~~$60.00~~

Heirloom's Umatic to digital transfer service makes it easy to preserve priceless videos before they're lost to time. Also known as 3/4-inch video tape, Umatic was a professional videotape format widely used by television stations, schools, businesses, government agencies, churches, and video production companies. Although these tapes were designed for professional use, many families and organizations still have irreplaceable memories, interviews, performances, and historical recordings stored on them—and Heirloom is here to help preserve them.

Whether you're sending Umatic tapes, 3/4-inch video tapes, photographs, film reels, audio recordings, or other media, simply send everything together. Our preservation specialists carefully inspect every item, identify exactly what you've sent, verify it can be digitized, and prepare a detailed, itemized quote.

There is no counting, no guesswork, and no obligation. You don't pay anything until we've completed our inspection and emailed you a detailed, no-obligation quote. We begin digitizing only after you've approved the quote and submitted payment.

Why a Umatic to Digital Transfer?

Your recordings are irreplaceable, but Umatic tapes weren't designed to last forever. Over time, magnetic tape deteriorates, playback equipment becomes increasingly rare, and every playback increases the risk of permanent damage. Transferring Umatic to digital preserves your videos in a modern format that can be streamed, downloaded, and shared for generations before those recordings are lost.

Why Choose Heirloom?

Most digitization companies expect you to identify your media and estimate your costs before you send anything.

Heirloom doesn't.

Simply send your media, and our specialists will:

Identify every type of media you send
Inventory each individual item
Verify each item can be digitized
Recommend the appropriate digitization service
Prepare a detailed, itemized quote
Answer any questions before work begins

Only after you've reviewed and approved your quote do we begin digitizing your memories. That means no surprises, no unnecessary charges, and complete confidence that your recordings are receiving the care they deserve.

Is U-matic the same as 3/4" video?

Yes. U-matic is the professional videotape format commonly called 3/4" video because it records on tape that is three-quarters of an inch wide. The cassette may be labeled U-matic, 3/4-inch video, U-matic S or U-matic SP.

Can Heirloom convert both large and small U-matic cassettes?

Yes. Heirloom can inspect and convert both full-size U-matic cassettes and the smaller U-matic S cassettes used with portable recording equipment. You do not need to determine the cassette size or recording variation before sending it.

Do I need to know whether my tape is U-matic, U-matic S or U-matic SP?

No. Heirloom identifies each cassette and determines the compatible playback equipment during inspection. You receive an itemized, no-obligation quote before paid digitization begins.

Can Heirloom digitize broadcast, school and institutional U-matic recordings?

Yes. Heirloom can digitize authorized U-matic recordings created by television stations, production companies, schools, churches, businesses and government agencies. This includes interviews, performances, training programs, news footage, public meetings and archival masters that remain recoverable.

What if my U-matic tape has not been played in decades?

Do not test an important tape in an unverified vintage player. Send it in its current condition so Heirloom can inspect the cassette, tape pack and playback needs first. Basic repairs are included whenever possible, and unrecoverable tapes are not charged.

Will my U-matic video retain its original framing and quality?

Heirloom captures the strongest recoverable picture and sound while preserving the recording’s original framing and aspect ratio. U-matic is a standard-definition analog format, so conversion cannot create detail that was never recorded, but it can preserve the best available signal without unnecessarily stretching or cropping the image.

How are digitized U-matic recordings delivered?

Each recorded U-matic cassette is delivered as a 480p MP4 video file in your private Heirloom digital vault, where it can be immediately streamed, downloaded and shared. An optional USB copy is also available.

How It Works

Send Your Media

Most customers drop off their media at any UPS Store using their own box and a prepaid Heirloom label.
Approve Your Itemized Quote

We inspect everything, count each item, and email the exact price. You decide whether to proceed.
Enjoy Your Memories Again

Stream memories from your digital vault. Download anytime. USB backup drives also available.