Help & Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to get the most out of your Memory Gallery.
How does Tape Memories work?
You upload your digitized VHS files (MP4 format) and our AI gets to work. It automatically:
- Splits each tape into individual scenes
- Writes a plain-English description of what's happening in each scene
- Transcribes any speech or conversation
The result is a searchable Memory Gallery — type "Christmas 1987" or "grandma" and find the clip in seconds.
What file formats do you accept?
We accept MP4 files. Most digitization services (Costco, Walgreens, local shops) deliver MP4s by default.
If you have a different format (MOV, AVI, WMV), you can convert it for free using HandBrake before uploading.
How long does processing take?
It depends on the length and number of tapes, but typically:
- 1–2 hour tape: 15–30 minutes
- 10 tapes: 2–4 hours
You don't need to stay on the page — we'll notify you when it's ready. Check the Collection Status page anytime for live progress.
Do I need to be tech-savvy to use this?
Not at all. If you can attach a photo to an email, you can use Tape Memories. The hardest part is having your tapes digitized — once you have the files, we handle everything else.
What are Tags and how do I use them?
Tags are labels you create and apply to scenes — think of them like custom folders, but a scene can have multiple tags at once.
Good uses for tags:
- People: Mom, Grandpa Joe, The Kids
- Events: Christmas, Birthdays, Vacations
- Places: Old House, Lake House
- Favorites: Must See, Memorial Reel
How do I search my tapes?
Use the search bar at the top of your gallery. It searches across:
- AI scene descriptions ("birthday cake", "backyard", "snow")
- Transcribed speech ("Happy New Year", names spoken aloud)
- Your own notes on scenes
Try searching for a person's name, a place, or a holiday — you'll often be surprised what the AI picked up.
What does hiding a scene do?
Hiding a scene removes it from your gallery view and from all shared links. It's not deleted — you can restore it anytime by clicking "Show hidden" in the toolbar.
Can I rename my tapes and reorder them?
Yes — click Rename & Sort in the sidebar. You can give each tape a descriptive title (e.g. "Summer 1994 — Lake Trip") and drag them into the order you want. Tapes appear in that order in your gallery and in all share links.
How do share links work?
Share links let family members view your gallery without needing an account. You control who can see what:
- 🔓 URL only — anyone with the link can view. Great for an open family group chat.
- 🔑 URL + PIN — viewers enter a PIN you set. Good for a bit of privacy without hassle.
- 📱 Invite only — only phone numbers you add can access it. They verify with a text code.
Do my family members need an account to view?
No. They just click the link you send them. For invite-only links, they'll enter their phone number and get a quick text code — no account, no password, no app to download.
Can I share just certain scenes, not everything?
Yes — when creating a share link, choose a tag from the dropdown. That link will only show scenes with that tag applied. For example, tag all scenes with "Grandpa" and create a link filtered to that tag — perfect for a tribute or birthday slideshow.
Is my footage private? Who can see it?
Only you — unless you create a share link. We never show your footage to other users, use it for advertising, or share it with third parties. Period.
Our AI processes your files to build the index, but no human at Tape Memories watches your tapes.
Do you train AI on my home videos?
No. Your tapes are used only to generate your personal archive. We do not use your footage to train AI models or for any purpose outside of your collection.
What happens after 30 days?
Your hosted gallery and all share links stay active as long as you're subscribed (or for 30 days after your one-time purchase). Your downloaded archive is yours forever regardless — we can't take that back.
If you let your hosted access lapse, your data isn't immediately deleted — we hold it for a grace period so you can reactivate. Contact us if you're in this situation.
Can I delete my collection and data?
Yes. Email us at [email protected] and we'll permanently delete your collection, account, and all associated data within 7 days.
How much does it cost?
- $15 for the first tape, +$5 per additional tape (tapes over 2 hrs count as 2)
- One-time payment — download your archive and keep it forever
- Optional hosted access: $5/month or $39/year for ongoing share links and re-downloads
You can preview your full gallery before paying — no credit card needed to upload.
What do I get when I pay?
- Full downloadable archive — video files, AI index, transcripts
- 30 days of hosted access to re-tag and re-download
- Shareable gallery links to send to family
Can I add more tapes to my collection later?
Yes — start a new batch anytime. Sign in with your phone number and you'll see all your batches. Each batch is processed and priced separately.
Still have questions?
We're a small team and we actually read our support emails. Usually reply same day.
Email Support →