What do we do

Video Hardware Services LLC is a national solution provider for the content creation industries. Whether it’s 1 system or 100, we can fill your needs on time and with the quality and customer service that you expect.

• Authorized System Integrator and Dealer for NewTek, Adobe, Matrox, and AVID
• Manufacturer of DreamStation^TM line of Custom Built Turnkey Workstations for AVID Media Composer 5, Adobe Production Premium CS5.5, Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.5, Adobe Master Collection CS5.5, and Sony Vegas Pro 11.
• OEM Workstation Manufacturer for various industries
• Direct Online and Retail Reseller of Video Editing Hardware and Software
• Custom System Design & Consulting Services

Our History

Video Hardware Services was formed in 1988 by Bernie Howes and Blaine Holm as a VCR repair shop. The name, Video Hardware Services, was originally conceived to be an acronym for VHS, the tape standard back in the 80’s. Blaine and Bernie operated the business part-time out of their homes while still employed with a local computer repair shop (Cocci Computer Services). In 1989, Blaine discovered the Commodore Amiga computer at a local computer store. WOW, this thing was AWESOME! Cool graphics, true multitasking, 4 channel stereo sound, and video capabilities never seen on the desktop in 1989. The Commodore Amiga had 4096 colors while the IBM PC had just 16 colors, and the MAC was still black and white. NewTek had just released the DigiView, the world’s first color digitizer for a personal computer.

After a few years of scraping together money and equipment, and as new devices for video were invented for the Amiga; VHS was ready for something new. After Blaine finished his Bachelor's Degree in Business Management in 1991, the company decided to produce a couple of training videos that demonstrated VCR repair for technicians already in the business. These were produced using the Amiga computer and Video Toaster Flyer system from NewTek and they sold thousands of copies.

In 1991, it was clear that the business needed to go full-time. Blaine left his job and Bernie followed shortly after, and 1 year later the business was moved to a new location at 99 Blaine St. (no kidding) in Manchester, NH’s West Side. A workshop was set up and eventually a Blue-Screen was built to demonstrate the Pinnacle Genie Plus. During this time, VHS was providing post productions services for a weekly Boat Show and Real Estate Show. Most of the revenue started coming from performing repairs on the Amiga and Video Toaster systems from across the region and eventually across the country.  It really seemed like a logical fit. Blaine was already authorized for the Amiga by Commodore during his ‘Cocci Computer’ days, so they decided to concentrate on selling, servicing, and supporting the Amiga computer, and new lower cost systems based on Windows NT such as Pinnacle's Genie Plus and REEL TIME, NewTek’s Frame Factory and the new Video Toaster for the PC. In effect, we have been building these types of custom workstations long before anyone else.

What drives us today

2012 is here. The future of video production is here. After 25 years since the company was formed, we are still growing strong. The DreamStation has taken off in a big way across all industries. We are one of the only companies that offers this level of expertise for these types of professional video production computer workstations. The NewTek TriCaster line is revolutionizing broadcasting as we know it. We are now shipping the NewTek TriCaster TCXD850, a revolutionary 22 channel HD switcher, along with the 400 series of 4 input HD Switchers/DVR/Streaming devices price in the mid teens.

AVID has affordable solutions including the once unattainable Color Correction tools and the new AVID Media Composer 5.5 pricing. Matrox and Adobe offer a powerful real-time creative suite with Adobe’s new CS 5.5 Suites and the Matrox MX02. Sony and the Vegas 11 Suite offer an uncompromising feature set for professionals.

The dream of affordable video production, Live HD Video Internet Streaming, 3G/4G streaming on a cell phone has become a reality for everyone.

The pace of change continues to climb very rapidly, and we are ready to help you.

There is no shortage of opportunities out there, however the time to pursue them is short.

We can help you with the time you spend trying to understand the technology.

We have always held the belief that technology used to communicate should be made affordable and intuitive. Schools, companies, churches, small businesses, large companies, and anyone who has something to say can benefit from the products that we offer.

It makes us smile when one of our customers wins an award (as many have), or a student goes on to a career involving 3D animation because of a system we installed at their local access facility. It happens all the time, and it is truly what keeps us going.

Video Hardware Services LLC.....
......making ‘Freedom of Imagination’ Affordable for everyone....