AV Digital Restoration

Standard digitization often fails to address the inherent "noise" and "color fade" caused by the physical degradation of magnetic tapes. Visual flickering, horizontal tracking lines, audio hiss, and muffled voices are not removed by simple format conversion. At Kilobyteivore, we integrate a dedicated digital restoration phase to extract the original brilliance and tonal quality that the recording once possessed.

Our philosophy is not merely to migrate data, but to recreate the emotion and atmosphere of the moment recorded. Our restoration engineers analyze every single medium, avoiding over-processing while meticulously removing degradation elements that hinder the viewing experience. Whether it is a family history or an irreplaceable musical recording, we provide the optimal solution to pass these assets to the next generation.

Who Needs Digital Restoration?

If you encounter the following issues, standard digitization may not be enough. Our restoration service is specifically designed for cases where the original signal is compromised.

• Video tapes that have turned reddish or faded to a pale, washed-out appearance.
• Severe visual noise or horizontal lines that make it difficult to identify faces or details.
• Audio containing persistent "hiss" or static that obscures spoken words.
• Old open-reel or cassette tapes with a muffled sound lacking clarity and presence.
• Once-in-a-lifetime events, such as weddings or graduations, that require the highest possible preservation quality.
• Professional musicians or researchers needing to improve archival recordings to a publishable or public-release standard.

The Restoration Process

Restoration begins with an accurate diagnosis of the medium's condition. We avoid generic filters, applying a tailored approach to each recording.

What to Prepare

To ensure a smooth start to the restoration process, we ask clients to provide the following. Please be as specific as possible regarding the areas you wish to prioritize.

• The original media requiring restoration (video tapes, audio reels, etc.).
• Specific timestamps for priority restoration (e.g., "please make the voice clearer at 05:20").
• Information about the original recording environment (e.g., "this was filmed outdoors, so the sky should be deep blue").
• Preferred delivery format (prioritizing maximum archival quality or compatibility with smartphones).

Deliverables and Results

Upon completion, you will receive the following. We add new value to your data without compromising the integrity of the original source.

• Restored digital files in MP4 H.264 Full HD or WAV format.
• Comparison samples (before and after) for selected segments upon request.
• Return of your original physical media via courier or in-store pickup.
• A temporary secure cloud download link for immediate access.

Turnaround and Timelines

Unlike simple copying, digital restoration requires significant manual adjustment by an engineer. Consequently, it takes longer than standard digitization.

The standard turnaround time is 14 days from the receipt of the materials. However, if the degradation is extreme or the volume of material is large, we will provide a custom estimate and timeline. For urgent requests, priority processing is available for an express fee (50% increase over standard rates). Please consult us via the contact form for scheduling.

What is Not Included

Please note that the following services fall outside the scope of this restoration package:

• Physical splicing of broken tapes (physical repair is a separate service).
• Complete recovery of entirely lost data (if the signal is zero, it cannot be recreated).
• Removal of copy protection or duplication of commercial movies and music CDs.
• Advanced CG compositing or the complete removal of persons/objects from the scene.

Pricing and Consumption Tax

Restoration fees are calculated based on the "engineer's man-hours" required for the task. Since visual and audio degradation levels differ, we calculate time for each separately to determine the total cost.

All prices are listed in accordance with Japanese law, showing both the price excluding and including the 10% consumption tax (消費税). For B2B clients, the payment term is within 30 days of the invoice date.

※ The time required per tape varies depending on the level of degradation. We provide a detailed estimate after the initial analysis. Please review our service list and contact us to begin. Use of this service requires agreement to our terms.