Digital Media Services
Email: MediaServices@Colorado.EDU
Telephone: 303-735-2681
University Libraries’ Digital Media Services (DMS) digitize a variety of audiovisual media for academic, promotional, or personal use. We work with a wide range of archival and legacy audio and video tapes, discs, phonograph records, and motion picture film reels. For information about streaming media, please see our Digitization Services & Streaming Media page.
Using our versatile toolset, we convert original formats and provide necessary post-production for reliable playback and digital preservation—all with a commitment to professional standards and best practices. Our aim is to support the strategic goals of the University of Colorado while reaching out to the wider community. Whether you are affiliated with the University, a business or non-profit community organization, or you need assistance with a personal project, Digital Media Services is here to help.
Visitor Information
Visit Norlin Library’s East entrance service desk to drop off a request (Norlin Library floor plans).
Visitors to campus should consult visitor/short-term parking information provided by CU Boulder Parking Services. For your convenience, the closest short-term pay parking is available at Lot 205 (map Lot 205). For public ADA-accessible parking, paid parking is available at Lot 368 (map Lot 368); to obtain the necessary gate code to access this lot, please call Libraries' Security at 303-492-5527. Directions to most campus lots are also available via Google Maps.
Price List
Please contact us by email at MediaServices@Colorado.EDU or call 303-735-2681 for price estimates for your audio, video, or film transfer inquiry. Prices are based on format type, recording length, and condition of the items. Turnaround time depends on our current backlog and the size or complexity of your order.
Duplication and Reformatting
- Audio Digitization: $45 - $63 per item for a single digital file
- Video Digitization: $38 - $86 per item for a single digital file
- Moving Image Film Digitization: $80 - $380 per film for a single digital file
Additional costs may apply for lengthy recordings, extra enhancements, multiple file outputs, DVD copies, special handling, and/or repairs.
Previewing Items
Audio, Video, and Film Preview: $25 for a 30-minute session
If you are unsure whether you would like to digitize an item, you can schedule a time to come in and verify the content prior to deciding to digitize. Ability to preview may depend on the condition of items.
Supported Formats
Audio
- Standard audiocassette
- Reel-to-reel tape (¼")
- Phonograph Records (33/45/78 rpm)
- CD
- Digital Audio Tape (DAT)
Video
- DVD (NTSC, PAL, SECAM)
- Blu-ray disc
- VHS (NTSC, PAL, SECAM)
- VHS-C
- Hi8, Video8, Digital8
- Mini DV, DVCAM, HDV
- Laserdisc
- Video CD (VCD)
- Betacam SP
- Digital Betacam
- Betamax (I, II, III)
- ¾” U-Matic
Film
- 8mm
- Super 8mm
- 16mm
- Super 16mm
- 35mm
Archival Audio, Video, and/or Film Collections
To initiate a digitization request, please contact Archives at rad@colorado.edu. Archives will retrieve and prep the archival items then forward the request to Digital Media Services (DMS) for digitization.
If you have any questions regarding the digitization costs or process prior to initiating a request, please contact DMS at MediaServices@Colorado.EDU.
Payment
Payment is expected upon completion of a request. Acceptable payment types include credit card, check, or SpeedType (a university affiliated number). Delivery of digital files is facilitated through CU’s Large File Transfer system or by flash/external drive provided by you.
Copyright
You will be required to sign a Copyright Acknowledgement Statement when submitting your duplication or reformatting request. The University Libraries reserves the right to refuse a reproduction request if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the request would violate Copyright. The Libraries will notify you if your request can’t be fulfilled due to copyright restrictions.
Last updated July 2026