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DVD Video Transfer Questions
• DVD Photo Slideshow Questions
• Technical DVD Questions
DVD Video Transfer Questions
What is the turnaround time for a DVD Photo Slideshow?
Generally, plan for 2–3 weeks for a slideshow. (If the slideshow is exceptionally long, we will discuss a timetable with you.) We recommend that you allow at least a month when ordering a slideshow. A slideshow due in less than 3 weeks will require a 10% rush fee and depending on our current workload, may not be possible.
What types of video tapes does Happy Thoutz convert? I need to preserve camcorder video?
At this time, we convert VHS, S-VHS, VHS-C, Mini-DV, 8 mm, Hi-8, Digital 8, and Betamax. This reflects our focus on the family videographer of roughly the past 30 years (the time period when video cameras became a popular family item). Sorry, we do not transfer any reel-to-reel film such as Super8, and we do not transfer professional tape formats, such as DVCam. However, we are one of the few transfer services to offer Betamax transfer. Our goal in home movie transfer is mainly to help families preserve camcorder video, since that comprises most home video.
What is the turnaround time?
DVD Video Transfer is usually within 2–3 weeks unless the project is exceptionally large. If you are in a rush, we can work with you to accommodate your schedule, but a rush fee may be required depending on the complexity of the project and the time constraints. More than 10 copies of a DVD may also require additional production time.
How much video will fit on a DVD?
To take advantage of the best quality encoding, we can fit up to two hours of video on a DVD. Beware of services offering more than two hours on a single disc – your video quality will suffer.
Can you transfer just part of my videotape? I don't need the whole thing?
Yes. Mark the starting and stopping times in the "video segment" section on your order form, and please set your tape to the beginning of the section you want transferred.
Can I put video from more than one tape onto a single DVD?
Yes. We call each single running piece of videotape a "video segment". A video segment is any piece of tape that transfers without being stopped, cued, or a new tape being put in. We will run up to eight video segments onto one DVD, and in theory, each of those video segments could be from a different videotape. Please keep in mind, though, that the length of your segments altogether must not exceed 2 hours. If you need more than eight separate video segments on one DVD, please discuss your needs with us before submitting your order.
What if I only have one hour of video to transfer – is it cheaper?
No, our prices are the same for any amount of video up to 2 hours. However, for DVDs less than 1 hour in length, we do provide a higher-quality encode, so your video transfer will look absolutely pristine.
My videotape is already degrading, with some snow or lines across the screen. Will transferring it to a DVD fix these problems?
DVD quality depends on the source tape. Using our equipment, we can stabilize the picture as much as possible. We work with clean, professional devices and machines, which often clear up some of the snow that you might be seeing on your tapes at home. But we cannot salvage a picture that isn't there anymore. If your video is in a questionable state already and you're worried about it, then it's absolutely time for videotape preservation!
Will my video look better when it is transferred to DVD?
We use pro video equipment, which helps the picture tremendously, but the simple fact is that the DVD will only look as good as the original tape.
Can you transfer professional VHS tapes to DVD?
This is a tricky one. Yes we can, with one sidenote: we will need you to sign a statement saying that the copyrighted media you have is only being transferred for your archival purposes. That way, if you turn around and sell the DVDs, we are not liable. Please contact us about your specific situation if you need this option.
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DVD Photo Slideshow Questions
By "DVD Photo Slideshow", do you mean actual slides?
We define a "Photo Slideshow" as photos presented on the screen, one after another, with background music. You might also call this a DVD photo collage, DVD photo montage, picture DVD, or photo DVD – it's all the same. Customers usually provide photos to us as prints, but we can transfer slides if that's what you need. Our term "Slideshow" does not mean that we work only with slides.
How long is each photo on the screen?
Since we custom-edit our slideshows, there's no set amount of time. Generally, though, a photo is on the screen about 4–5 seconds. This time will lengthen if a photo has a zoom or pan applied to it. We take into account the music that accompanies the photos and edit each photo's length accordingly as well. Thus, every photo in your slideshow will be onscreen for a different length of time. But for your planning purposes, estimating 4–5 seconds per photo is useful.
How do I get music for the slideshow? Does Timeless DVD provide a music library?
Yes. Happy Thoutz Productions adheres to the Music and Publishing Copyright laws. If you would like to use a song from a CD you have purchased, you must mail in the original CD. Happy Thoutz Productions will return the original CD with your order. If you do not own the song (s) that you want in your order, Happy Thoutz Productions will purchase it online for you.
How long should my slideshow be?
Since the length of your slideshow depends on how many photos and songs you have, this is difficult to figure out ahead of time. You can guesstimate the length you have by estimating 4–5 seconds for each photo (plus any video clips you might also include). You may also ask us to shoot for a specific length for our editing, such as 10–15 minutes (which is generally the best length for showing at a party or event).
Can you create a slideshow where the viewer can advance through each photo manually?
No, this is not a service that we offer. And keep in mind that if this type of slideshow is what you need, you will not be able to have music play during it. If you want to look at a particular photo for a longer time during a Timeless DVD Photo Slideshow, just hit the pause button during playback.
Can I combine, say, a 20-minute DVD slideshow with about an hour of video footage on one DVD? (The video is separate from the slideshow.)
Yes, as long as the total time does not exceed 2 hours. We call these "combo" DVDs. Please discuss your needs with us before submitting your order.
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Technical DVD Questions
Why does a video tape lose quality and become unwatchable?
A videotape is comprised of a plastic tape with magnetic particles attached to it. Those magnetic particles contain the picture and sound. Some of these magnetic particles wear off each time the tape is played. In addition, magnetic fields in the environment can cause particles to wear away over time. The actual plastic tape also degrades and becomes brittle, eventually reaching the point where it will not feed correctly through a tape mechanism. A videotape is a definitely not a long-term storage solution for these reasons – nor was it ever intended to be.
How long will a DVD last?
It is estimated that DVDs will last for about 100 years. And in that time, they will never lose any of their picture or audio clarity. (We do acknowledge, though, that this is an accepted guess based on scientific estimation, since DVDs have not been around for 100 years!) To help a DVD's lifespan, we recommend that you always store your DVDs in their cases and handle them carefully from their edges to avoid smudges or scratches on the surface of the disc. If smudges or scratches happen, sometimes a compuer-approved cleaning cloth, wiped straight from the center of the disc to the outside edge (NOT circular around the disc) will fix the problem.
What is NTSC? What is PAL?
NTSC and PAL are two different video standards used by countries around the world, and the two standards reflect how many horizontal lines run across a TV set to comprise the video picture. A VHS tape, DVD, or TV is either NTSC or PAL. The United States, Canada, and Japan use NTSC. Britain and many European countries use PAL. Unfortunately, the two are not interchangeable. So for example, if you got a PAL tape from your cousin in England, it would not work on your VCR and TV here in the United States. We deal with NTSC only and we do not do PAL–NTSC conversions.
What are DVD regions?
DVD regions are a similar concept to NTSC/PAL. There are 8 DVD regions in the world, created to prevent movie piracy. The United States and Canada are in Region 1. Britain is in Region 2. A Region 1 DVD player will not be able to play Region 2 DVDs. Timeless DVDs are region-free, but are NTSC format. So even though you are getting a region-free DVD that will theoretically work on a Region 2 DVD player, the DVD will not play correctly because the Region 2 player is probably hooked up to a PAL TV set. (It's so complicated!) The bottom line is that our DVDs are region-free, and will work with DVD players and TV sets that use the NTSC format.
What is a VCD? Some services transfer video onto VCDs.
We do not offer this because VCDs are a much lower quality format than DVDs. Their pictures are very inferior because the video is compressed heavily. In addition, much less video fits on a VCD than a DVD, and they do not provide for chapter marks or menus. A VCD is not a DVD. Avoid transferring your precious video to VCD at all costs – you will not be happy with the results!
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