Two major players are YesVideo and HomeMovie. Available under the Kodak banner at such chains as Walgreens and Target, YesVideo charges $34.99 for a two-hour video and uses software to drop in chapter stops at blackouts and abrupt changes in movement. HomeMovie is only online–sign up at and it’ll send you a mailing kit–but has a range of options, from $49 to $115. Both companies take two or three weeks to send back a disc (and your original videos).

If you’re technically inclined, you can do video transfer at home. DVD burners run about $500, but there’s no dominant standard for the technology, which could mean compatibility problems with DVD players. Warning: even your director’s commentary audio track won’t make those home movies of Hawaii tolerable.

Copyright 2002 Newsweek: not for distribution outside of Newsweek Inc.