Should I Digitize Photos and Family Movies by Mail?

People often consider digitizing photos and family movies by mail. They select an online provider and ship their photos, slides, negatives and family movies to the processing facility. If you are considering your mail-in options for digitizing photos or family movies, we have some pros and cons for you to think about.

Pros of Digital Mail Order Services

Simple Process - Good online digitization companies offer a simple process that allows you to track where your order is in their system. These businesses manage hundreds of thousands of orders and overall, have happy customers. Keep in mind that the margin of error on that volume of orders still means some memories may be lost.

Great Internet Prices - Often, you'll be able to get 40 to 65% off the prices with online deals that are offered. People love getting deals and generally the deals are on a set package. While your initial order may be significantly discounted, any additions to the order are charged at full price.

No People Interaction Necessary - Sometimes, when you know what you want, it is great to click a few buttons. Then, you make an online payment and ship off your photos and wait for the final product. However, once an issue arises, the customer support may not be as easy to deal with.

Cons of Digital Mail Order Services

Precious Memories are Not Safe - Are you sending the only copy of your favorite photos, slides or negatives or the only copy of a family movie? Then, your memories could be lost forever in the process. We only consider a photo to be saved if you can find it when you need it and it is backed up in two locations. Chances are nothing bad will happen, but do you want to take the risk? Search for reviews on an online provider, and you'll probably see some awful stories. If you do send an order, be sure to use FedEx or UPS and their tracking services. We do have people who ship us items and we ask for the tracking number as well. 

Digital Files Might Be of Unusable Format - Do you know what you are getting back? It seems online providers continue to send digitized photos, etc back on DVDs. More and more computers don't come with DVD players. People often use streaming services and skipping the DVD player to go with the television.

Are you getting a jump drive? Will the files work on an old 2011 Windows PC? Some of our clients don't know how to use a jump drive. If the digital files prove difficult to use, getting help over the phone can be frustrating.

Digital Files May Be of Low Quality - Often, in the name of simplicity, online providers provide little information on the quality of scanning they offer. It truly makes a difference in some cases - will your slide scan be able to be made into an 8x10? For more information on best practices in scanning, click here for this downloadable guide we offer at Pixologie.

Also, imagine taking a two hour tape and making it fit on a DVD. Its been reported that up to 70% of the movie's data is lost in the compression. Also, it is very difficult to edit a family tape that has been burned to a DVD. (You know you don't need all those hours of watching kids volleyball games!)

Trying it Out Ourselves

Just out of curiosity, we sent a small order to one of the bigger online providers to see how the service would be. We sent in a VHS tape, reel of film, a few slides and photos. Our results included:

• Photos scanned at 300 dpi - does not meet our standard - enlargements are iffy
• Slides scanned at 2400 dpi - surprising as this is acceptable for us
• VHS Tape of my wedding - no digital file provided as requested, just the DVD - no easy way to edit the bad parts out - not acceptable for us
• Reel of film - amazing footage from a community parade in the 1950s in a small MP4 format - grainy, could use restoration - not archival quality and not acceptable for us

Overall, we got what we expected from the mail order service since we understand formats, etc. And, for the many who use mail order digitization services, it truly is wonderful to see the memories come alive again.

Wrapping Up

As Pixologists, we love that people are taking steps to save their memories. However, we do strongly recommend that a local source be found for digitizing photos and family movies. This way, all of the issues that could arise due to the nature of mail order can be addressed in person and in a timely manner.

If possible, find a local provider to help with digitizing photos and family movies. Finally, we can always help you here at Pixologie. We handle every order individually and with a personal touch. Need someone to just do the work for you? Click here to learn more about Pixologie Services.