Some memories remain stored away for years in a box, waiting to be watched again. Birthday celebrations, family gatherings, trips and childhood moments are among the recordings many families have kept on old video tapes, which over time risk becoming inaccessible as the formats deteriorate.
Behind this service is Osvaldo San Martín Sáez, who has spent more than 25 years specializing in audiovisual digitization. His journey began at a time when job opportunities were limited.
“At that time, work was hard to find, and someone suggested that I start transferring tapes, since nobody else was doing it. Back then, I was recording all day long,” he recalls.
What started as an employment opportunity eventually became a specialized service that allows families to recover audiovisual memories, many of which have been stored away for decades.
Although fewer tapes remain to be rescued today, Osvaldo continues to receive recordings from people who want to preserve their memories and prevent them from being lost.
One aspect he particularly emphasizes is keeping his service prices consistent over time. “The price of the service has always remained the same,” he says, highlighting his commitment to transparent pricing.
Digitization for Multiple Formats
The service covers a wide range of audiovisual formats, including VHS, VHS-C, Betamax, 8mm, Hi8, MiniDV, HDV and MicroMV. Music cassette tapes from brands such as TDK, Sony and Maxell are also accepted.
Each tape is inspected before the transfer begins, and customers can choose to receive their digitized material on DVD or USB flash drive.
For customers living within Chillán's four main avenues, Osvaldo offers home collection. People from other communities across the Ñuble Region can also send their tapes, with delivery times arranged according to the quantity and format of the material.
Confidentiality is another important part of the service. Digitized files are handled privately and are never shared with third parties.
An Opportunity to Preserve Family History
At a time when audiovisual memories are primarily stored on mobile phones and digital platforms, recovering old family recordings is also a way of keeping personal and family history alive.
Anyone who still has VHS tapes, Betamax recordings, 8mm films or music cassettes can contact Osvaldo San Martín Sáez directly to inquire about the service and arrange the digitization of their material.
Contact: Osvaldo San Martín Sáez
Phone: +56 9 9875 4802
Noticias21 brings its readers closer to the services and businesses operating throughout the Ñuble Region.
