VHS, VHS-C, Hi8 and MiniDV: Which Tape Do I Have?

The quickest way to tell VHS, VHS-C, Hi8 and MiniDV apart is size: VHS is the big one, VHS-C is a smaller, chunky cassette, Hi8 is about the size of an audio cassette, and MiniDV is the smallest of all. The good news is that you don't have to be sure: Tapes To Digital converts all four at the same per-tape price.

What does a VHS tape look like?

A full-size VHS tape is roughly the size of a paperback book, around 19cm by 10cm, with a hinged flap along one long edge. It's what most homes used for recording TV and for commercially sold films, and many families also have home videos on VHS, either filmed on full-size camcorders or copied from smaller tapes.

See our VHS to digital page for prices and what you get back.

What is a VHS-C tape?

VHS-C is a compact camcorder version of VHS, about a third of the size of a full VHS tape and noticeably chunkier than the other small formats. The "C" stands for compact. These were very popular for family camcorders in the late 1980s and 1990s, and the labels usually say VHS-C clearly.

We convert them at exactly the same price as full-size VHS. See VHS-C to digital.

How do I recognise Hi8 and Video 8 tapes?

Hi8 and Video 8 tapes are slim cassettes about the size of an audio cassette, usually marked "Hi8", "Video8" or "8mm". They were made for camcorders such as the popular Sony Handycam range. Digital 8 tapes look the same but were recorded digitally by a different camcorder.

All three are covered by our Hi8 to digital service.

What does a MiniDV tape look like?

MiniDV is the smallest of the four, roughly the size of a matchbox, and normally carries the "DV" logo. MiniDV camcorders were common from the late 1990s into the 2000s, so these tapes often hold more recent family footage.

Find out more on our MiniDV to digital page.

Quick guide: which tape do I have?

• Paperback-sized with a flap: VHS
• Smaller but chunky, labelled VHS-C: VHS-C
• Audio-cassette sized, labelled Hi8, Video8 or 8mm: Hi8 / Video 8 (or Digital 8)
• Matchbox-sized with a DV logo: MiniDV

Still not sure? Take a photo and send it to us on WhatsApp, and we'll tell you what you have.

How much does it cost to convert each type of tape?

The same for all four: from £13 a tape. VHS, VHS-C, Hi8, Video 8, Digital 8 and MiniDV all count together in a mixed order, so the discount applies across the whole box:

• 1 to 4 tapes: £15 a tape
• 5 to 10 tapes: £14.50 a tape
• 11 to 20 tapes: £14 a tape
• 21 to 30 tapes: £13.50 a tape
• 31 or more: £13 a tape

Each tape includes up to three hours of footage, then it's £6 per extra hour. There's no charge for blank tapes or recordings that can't be recovered, and you can send one tape first at £15 to see the quality. Full details are on our tape conversion prices page.

Should I use a professional service for mixed tapes?

Yes. Every tape is played on professional converters. We do a better job, and your originals always come back. You don't need to own a single player for any of these formats.

• An MP4 of every tape, ready for your TV, laptop or phone
• The archival AVI/MOV master alongside your MP4 on request, at the same price
• Your files on a USB we supply, as a download (from £7), on a USB you bring us, or on an external hard drive
• DVD copies if you want them, for £6 per disc
• Your original tapes back, every time

Most orders are ready in 7 to 10 working days from the day we receive your tapes, and sooner on request depending on quantity.

Where can I send my tapes?

Drop them at one of our four UK drop-off locations in Brixton, Watford, Southall or Farnborough, or post them from anywhere in the UK. Everyday formats are converted at the drop-off you use, and rarer formats go to our UK lab in Farnborough. Posting costs exactly the same per tape.