Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take to digitise my order?
We are a small business and put a lot of time & care into every order to ensure you get the best result possible. Approximately 2 weeks is a normal turn-around time, but this will depend on the size of your project and the current workload. If you have a tight time-frame please contact us to get a firmer idea.
How do I know how many ‘feet’ my film is?
We’ve put together a simple document you can print & use to check the length of your 8mm films. However, as we will only charge you for the actual length, it isn’t essential that this is marked correctly on your order form.
How do I know what type of tape I have?
We’ve put together a handy guide to help you determine what type of films & tapes you have. Please have a look through, but of course if you still need help feel free to contact us. The good news is, if you’d prefer to just send us your tapes and films, we’re happy to let you know what you’ve got and provide you with an estimate.
Do you digitise pre-recorded TV shows/movies?
Generally speaking, no we don’t digitise TV shows or movies. In fact, we will remove this content from your video tapes that we convert to ensure you’re left with only the good stuff (and you won’t have to sit through episodes of Home & Away you forgot to record over). However, if you have a unique situation and would like us to digitise please let us know.
How do I pay for my order?
We accept credit card or bank transfer online. We also accept cash or tap payments on pick-up and only ask you to pay after everything has been digitised. Once you’ve paid we will then ship your originals and the digitised versions back to you.
Can I drop-off or pick-up my order?
For our customers lucky enough to live on the sunny NSW Central Coast, you’re very welcome to arrange drop off & pick-up from us at Chittaway Bay. Just let us know when you contact and we can arrange it with you.
A lifetime of films, tapes & photos, all meticulously transferred
What quality will the digital files I receive be?
We provide most movie files in MP4 file format*. 8mm files are scanned frame-by-frame with a resolution of 1080p, getting the most out of your films. Most video tapes will be digitised as MP4 files with a resolution greater than the source. Photos will be JPG files for our bulk service, but we can provide other formats for special projects on request. *Digital format tapes are best preserved in their original format, but can be delivered in MP4 upon request.
How do I place an order with Takara Mono?
This is the fun part! Please see our How to Order page for full details.
I have a format not listed, can you digitise it?
While we cover most of the popular formats used in Australia, it is possible you may have a media format that we don’t currently digitise. Please let us know what you have and we’ll let you know if we can convert it for you.
I’ve lost/deleted my files, can you help?
Please contact us and let us know your job details. We endeavour to keep customer projects (with permission) securely backed up for a period of 12 months after the project has been delivered. Due to the large file size of the video files, we can’t always keep projects for longer than this, but please let us know if you need help and we’ll do our best to recover the files for you.
What makes Takara Mono different?
We are a small business that puts our heart & soul into every order we receive. Your films, tapes and photos mean a lot to you and they mean a lot to us too. This is history! We check every file to ensure we’re providing you with the best result we can. What you can expect from us is prompt communication, careful attention to detail and a quality customer experience.