Film, Video, and Digital File Transfer Rates

The Public Service Office (PSO) within the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center (NAVCC) offers duplication of a variety of film, video, and file formats (listed below).

In every instance, pre-payment is required. All payments must be submitted through the pay.gov website, which accepts credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express), debit cards, or ACH direct debit payments. Please do not attempt to submit a payment until instructed to do so by the PSO.

Shipping charges for physical media are paid by the customer. Items being shipped to addresses outside the United States will require the customer to provide a Federal Express account number to cover shipping and customs charges.

• All transfer rates have a 30-minute minimum with 15-minute increments thereafter.
• Duplication requests must be for an entire reel/tape/file. No individual segments of source material may be requested.
• Additional charges may apply to orders:
• $24 set-up charge on all orders.
• $20 minimum fee for each litigation order requiring certification. Additional surcharge per item based on the extent of the duplication request.

Estimated completion times begin when payment is confirmed by the PSO. Please note that due to the nature of our source materials, unexpected problems can arise. Thus, the completion time cannot be absolutely guaranteed.

Transfer Rates from Film

• HD: $710.00 per hour run time
• HD resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
• 2K: $710.00 per hour run time
• 2K resolution: 2048 x 1556 pixels
• 4K: $1,420.00 per hour run time
• 4K resolution: 4096 x 3112 pixels
• All 16mm and 35mm films are scanned full frame.
• Scans are overall one-light with no color correction.
• Standard Delivery: approximately 6-8 weeks
• No rush service available
• $18.00 surcharge for all reel changes
• $18.00 film gate change surcharge for orders with both 35mm and 16mm reels.

Transfer Rates from Videotape/Videodisc

• $189.00 per hour run time
• Standard Delivery: 1-5 business days (possibly longer for 2” tapes and other obsolete formats)
• No rush service available
• $7.50 surcharge for each tape/file change
• $18.00 format change surcharge for orders with multiple video formats

File-to-File Transfer Rates

SD, HD, 2K Transfers

• $126.00 per hour run time
• Standard Delivery: 1-5 business days
• No rush service available
• $7.50 surcharge for each tape/file change

4K Transfers

• $252.00 per hour run time
• Standard Delivery: 1-5 business days
• No rush service available
• $7.50 surcharge for each tape/file change

Digital File Formats

• The Library only provides digital files in the formats listed below. Please be as specific as possible when ordering, including any necessary details for our video technicians (bitrate, wrapper, etc.).
• We do not offer up-conversions.
• We do not offer down-conversions to standard definition. Standard definition files are only available from standard definition sources.

Format Options

• 4K Resolution (24 fps):
• 4K ProRes 4:2:2 HQ (MOV wrapper)
• 4K 10-bit RGB DPX Files (for new film scans only)
• 2K Resolution (24 fps):
• 2K ProRes 4:2:2 HQ (MOV wrapper)
• 2K 10-bit RGB DPX Files (for new film scans only)
• High Definition (24 fps):
• HD ProRes 4:2:2 HQ (MOV wrapper)
• DNxHD (MXF OP1a wrapper) – 175 Mbps (10-bit)
• H.264 – 6 Mbps
• Standard Definition (in native format, usually interlaced NTSC, 29.97 fps):
• SD ProRes 4:2:2 HQ (MOV wrapper)
• MPEG-2 Program Stream - DVD quality (5 Mbps VBR, 9 Mbps peak)
• H.264 – 1.5 Mbps

Delivery Options

• Direct download from online Signiant Media Exchange server. Download links are distributed via e-mail. Some restrictions apply, depending on file sizes.
• Hard drive or flash drive purchased from the Library (see stock prices below). Drives are external USB 3.0 and are formatted for PC and Mac (ExFAT). Please note that DPX and 4K ProRes HQ files may need to be transferred to a faster drive to be playable.

Media Pricing

Prices subject to change

Digital Download: No additional charge

For additional information about obtaining copies of moving image materials, please contact the Moving Image Research Center:

• Email: Ask a Librarian
• Phone: (202) 707-8572

(Updated May 2023)