VHS to Digital Service preserves irreplaceable moments from your life

When legendary American country music singer and actress Dolly Parton passed away in the summer of 2026, Jolean knew it was time to finally digitize her VHS tape.

In 1991, Jolean met Dolly Parton when she was just a baby.  Jolean was 9-months-old then, but was not expected to live beyond 2-years-old.  The meet-and-greet was coordinated by The Infant Development program of Lock Haven, which provides services for children with development challenges.

"I'm 35-years-old.  So, I like to joke that I am 33 years past my expiration," Jolean jokes.

Jolean is now in her 30s and living in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.  Matt DeSarle, a local video producer and operator of the VHS to Digital service, met with Jolean to digitize the tape.  They sat together at the Avenue 209 Coffee Shop in Lock Haven, in awe of what Dolly Parton had to say to Jolean during that magical meeting.

Jolean's family met Dolly Parton backstage before a concert in Atlantic City.  You have to watch the meeting to have some idea of how special it was.

 

Professional VHS to Digital Service in Pennsylvania Preserves Precious Memories

It was not only Parton's passing that motivated Jolean to digitize the tape, but the fact that it was few memories left of her late father.

"I lost my father a few years ago and it's one of the few things that I have with him on it," Jolean said.

This footage will live on as an important family heirloom for other reasons.  Many photos were burned during a house fire that Jolean survived when she was a child.

Jolean sits and watches as the wheels of the tape turn and her memory digitizes. She is asked about how she felt as she watched the moment replay.

"(I felt) emotional because it's also a video of my dad carrying me around when I was little.  He was normally the one behind the camera."

VHS to Digital Service transfers analog tapes in Pennsylvania

Documentary video producer Matt DeSarle is proud to make this service available to the general public.  It started with another 30-plus-year-old origin story.

A documentary about the origins of the Kansas Riverkeeper includes several moments digitized from a VCR.  Afterwards, DeSarle made the service open to the general public.

Click here to learn more about the VHS to Digital service in Pennsylvania.
Click here to learn more about the VHS to Digital service in Kansas.

The links above also outline the costs and availability of each VHS to Digital operation.