I may have stumbled into a new business sideline

I was referred to a new client for my computer work, but his needs were only peripherally computer hardware related- he had some mini-VHS camcorder tapes he needed transferred to DVD. He also had some audio tapes he needed converted and transferred to audio cds.

I spent a good part of the weekend doing this for him- both the audio and video required a bit of selective editing for his needs. Fortunately I have a computer set up with the proper cards and software, so it was easy (just very time consuming).

I now wonder if this would be worth getting into and how lucrative it would end up being. I suspect there are many old DVDs out there with home movies on them, and perhaps old cassette tapes people are saving because they have loved one's voices on them (as a for instance).

Any input on the viability of this on a wider scale? Is it a service the would be needed?

See how it goes and then make a move if you feel it is potentially profitable...

But remember one thing, technology changes so fast these days your opprotunity may not last long enough to quit your day job...

they are each eight hours of exercise segments I taped all together so I could do an hour of exercise each day

Sometimes you have to turn down work. Sometimes you are desperate for a client. I did something similar, but I kept my day job until I knew I would have a steady flow of work. With what I did (until two days ago, actually) usually required some monthly maintenance. So I got a fee every month that would allow for a decrease in new clients. With video it isn't the same..

And I live on $500 per month.. I charged $35 per hour.. Do the math. I didn't work much. Now I am back in school.

I run a computer repair service. I've been doing it almost four years, which means I already have everything I need to do it.

My hourly rate is $60.

Great idea.

I actually have some 8mm tapes I gotta figure out how to get onto some kind of media that I can preserve.

My dad had a love for 8mm--unfortunately.

I know of at least two places in my city that do this kind of thing, so one must presume it makes money.