How it works

Title:

The film, show or program, for example Aliens (1986).

Version:

One particular release of it on tape: the studio or label, the country, the year, the catalog number, the box. Aliens came out on many versions.

Tape:

Your own copy of a version, in your collection.

Don't know which version you have? That's fine: a tape can be version unknown, and you can work it out later.

1. Make an account (it's free). Your collection is private.
2. Go to Add a tape. Scan the barcode on the back of the box with your phone, or type the title.
3. Pick your version from the list and choose I have this one. Not sure? Choose Add as version unknown. Done: it's in My Collection.

Got a whole shelf? Open Adding a whole shelf? on the Add a tape page and scan one box after another. Short on time? Just take photos of the front, spine and tape label, and fill in the details later from “Waiting for details”.

• Photos: open a tape and use the Front, Back, Spine and Cassette label buttons. The camera shows a frame shaped like a tape, and finds the edges for you.
• Find versions for my tapes: for your version-unknown tapes, ArchiVHS suggests the likely version from the barcode, studio and box.
• Import and export: bring a collection in from a spreadsheet, or download yours at any time.
• Private by default: nobody else sees your collection, your notes or what you paid.

• On any version, choose Want. Or want a title in any version from the Wantlist page.
• When someone lists a tape you want in the Back Pages, your wantlist says so: “2 copies available, from $14”.
• When you add a wanted tape to your collection, it comes off the list by itself.

• To sell or trade: in My Collection, choose Sell or trade on a tape. Set a price, shipping and a note; you see what others will see before you list it. Only that tape becomes public.
• To buy: look under “Previously viewed” on a version page, or browse the Back Pages. Choose Message seller (or Offer a trade).
• Messages are always about one listed tape, and only the two of you can read them. You can make and accept offers there. When the tape is sold, the seller marks it sold.
• Paying: ArchiVHS doesn't handle money. Agree how to pay between you, and use a method with buyer protection (such as PayPal Goods & Services). Never pay as “friends and family” to someone you don't know.
• If something's wrong: block anyone, and report a listing or a conversation from its ••• menu. Original retail tapes only: no bootlegs or dubs.

• Can't find your version? Choose Add a version on the title's page and fill in what's printed on the tape. A front cover photo helps most: it's what other collectors look for first.
• Anyone signed in can fix or complete a version with Edit. Every change is kept in the version's history, with who made it.

• Anorak mode (on a version page, or in your account settings) shows every field: tape label design, copy protection notice, duplicator and more.
• Compare versions on a title's page lines up what differs between its versions.
• Search by catalog number or barcode in the search box: an exact match opens the version straight away.
• Record the condition of each tape (tape and sleeve grades, seal, ex-rental, play-tested), and see your collection by label, decade, box and country on Collection stats.
• Prefer a text screen? The knob on the VCR switches to the DOS look, with keyboard shortcuts (B, S, C, W, A).

• Install it like an app: open ArchiVHS in your phone's browser, then choose Add to Home Screen (on iPhone, from the Share button). It gets its own icon and opens full screen.
• The barcode scanner and camera work in the browser; allow the camera when asked.

Email info@archivhs.com. See also Privacy and the Terms of use.