Frequently Asked Questions

At Dust Heads Archiving and Film Services, our passion lies in preserving the timeless beauty of analog film and bringing cherished memories back to life. Founded by film enthusiasts Dustin Shea and Paul Kalkman, we are dedicated to providing professional film transfer services that capture the essence and integrity of each frame. With state-of-the-art equipment and meticulous attention to detail, we go beyond mere digitization, delivering exceptional clarity, vibrant colors, and true-to-life representation. We understand the sentimental value and emotional significance embedded in every film reel or tape. Our personalized approach ensures that we meet your unique needs.

Unlike others, we don’t settle for consumer-grade equipment. We use professional-grade tools and technologies to ensure the highest quality results. Transparency is our priority, and we invite you to visit our YouTube channel to see the exceptional work we have done. With a preservation-focused approach, we are dedicated to maintaining the integrity and authenticity of your analog footage. Trust us to handle your cherished memories with care, expertise, and a commitment to preserving the past for future generations.

The turnaround time for smaller amounts of tapes is typically 1 week, assuming there are no other orders ahead of yours. However, if you have a larger quantity of tapes, such as 10 or more tapes, we recommend reaching out to us for an estimated time frame.

We understand that some projects may require expedited processing, and we do offer RUSH orders at an additional cost. For more information about RUSH order rates, please contact us directly.

We understand the concern of potential loss during shipping, and while we prefer to receive footage in person to ensure its safe handling, we do accept submissions via mail. PLEASE CONTACT US BEFORE MAILING YOUR MEMORIES.

We highly recommend using a reliable shipping method with tracking and insurance, as we cannot be held responsible for any lost or damaged footage during transit. Rest assured, we will handle your valuable memories with the utmost care upon their arrival.

We prioritize the preservation and care of your precious films. For VHS tapes and video cassettes, we utilize a screen player to capture the contents. Although we have not encountered any issues so far, it’s important to acknowledge that there is a slight risk if the VHS player or camcorder malfunctions with your tape inside. Rest assured, even in such an unlikely event, we take every precaution to safeguard your footage. Our commitment to transparency means being open about these potential risks while assuring you that we treat your films as if they were our own.

Our standard delivery method for digitized films is via USB or external HDD. We understand the convenience and compatibility of USB drives, as they work with any device equipped with a USB port, which has become a standard feature. By receiving your digitized files on a USB stick, you can effortlessly watch them on your connected devices or make additional copies as needed. It’s important to note that while we return your physical copies, we highly recommend copying your digitized files to at least one other device or storage medium to ensure their long-term preservation.

Additionally, we offer custom orders if you have specific preferences or requirements for your delivery method.