How do we pay?
If you are using our mail service we will email you the invoice once transfer is complete. We cannot do this beforehand because payment is based on the length of the tape, and this is only established once the tape is converted. Once the payment shows in our account we will immediately ship the DVD/CD. If you drop them off you will pay on collection.
What process do you use to convert the DVDs?
We capture the tapes via a computer and digitise them. We do not use combo DVD recorders although is a quicker method, as the results are inferior. This will especially show up on large screen televisions with pixels breaking up.
Do you include menus and chapter points?
Yes, menus make the DVD more professional and chapters make it easy to go forwards and backwards through your DVD in five or ten minute intervals.
How much can you fit on one DVD?
We can transfer about two hours and maintain good quality. We can fit longer than this on one DVD by changing the file type ( just like the old HQ, LP and SP on older tapes). It is possible you may notice a slightly inferior picture (not sound) quality if the tape is longer than two hours, especially on a big screen television where flaws and faults are magnified. This may be more noticeable on clearer digital tapes but not so much on older tapes as they are shot in analogue and the quality is not as sharp. Putting more than one tape onto a single dvd reduces the cost but I usually advise not much longer than two and a half hours .
How long will it take?
Turn- around time is approximately five working days within the office. Mailing is separate to this time and is dependent on Australia Post. Your tapes and DVDs are sent back as soon as payment from you is cleared.
What types of tapes do you convert? The prices are the same for all media tapes. Audio tapes can only go up to 80 minutes per cd. See our pricing page.
Digital 8 Videotape – see image
Audio Cassette Tapes – see image
We also convert LP records/vinyl to CD – see image.
Are your DVDs copy protected or encoded?
No, so you can make your own copies from the original to send to family and friends, or we can do it for you for an extra $10 per dvd. You will need to let me know you want extra copies at the time you send the tapes however.
Do you do editing?
Not as a general rule unless it is simple editing and your instructions are quite clear. There will be a charge for this. As a general rule the DVD will contain exactly the same material as the tape master that you present to us. We can however for an extra $10 include an extra dvd with your files in an MPEG or AVI or MOV format so you can do editing on your own computer. Please put this in your instructions. We find this a better arrangement because most editing is personal to the family and can be very time consuming. With the De Luxe deal I will put the files onto portable hard drive or laptop for you which will enable you (or a computer-savvy family member) to import them into an editing program for you to edit yourselves.
Do you transfer the videos yourself or outsource them to someone else?
No, all DVDs are done in-house so your videos stay safe within the premises at “Unforgettable Memories”.
Why transfer to DVDs?
- They are easy to store and take up very little room.
- They are in digital form and can later be copied back onto your personal computer for editing.
- They do not degrade in quality like video film.
- Extra copies can be made for family and friends.
- Most people in Australia today have access to DVD players.
- Keeping your DVDs in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight ensures they should last for decades.
Can you convert or repair damaged tapes?
We can do simple repairs, i.e. if a tape is broken it can be spliced. Broken cassette cases cannot be put through my cameras or machines but there are online specialist services that repair these. I will attempt to convert mouldy tapes so this is especially valuable for those that live in humid areas of Australia like northern Queensland. Often other businesses in these areas will not touch these tapes so don’t throw them out, try us first. However this does result in clogging up the heads on the video machines so there will be an extra charge for this.
Can I get just a section of tape converted?
Yes, if your instructions on our form are very clear with times written as to where it starts, or the tape is wound to where you wish to start the capture with written instructions, e.g. when birthday clown arrives to when he leaves – ( approx ten minutes). As you can appreciate it can be very time consuming sitting through a three hour tape to find the ten minutes you want converted. Please ring or liase with us via email or phone first.
Why might my DVD time length differ from what it says on tape?
This is why we do not invoice until after the tape is done. Sometimes tapes are recorded in different formats, e.g. SP (short play) or LP (long play) and this can alter the length of the time written on the outside of the tape. Therefore pricing cannot be established until the conversion is finished. If you have a query re our pricing and the length of your DVD, when it arrives you can place it in your computer, open in a media player and use the mouse to hover to the end of the timeline bar to find out how long it is.
What happens if I don’t receive the delivery or there is a problem with the conversion?
We will be using Australia Post registered mail to send your tapes back so there will be a tracking number within Australia Post itself. Please contact us straight away if there is a problem with the conversion as we keep all images created for 21 days and we can make a replacement from this assuming the fault is not on the original tape. We are a friendly company that believes good communication with our customers will solve most problems.
How does the final product look?
In the DE LUXE option DVDs are presented in a slimline case with photos taken off your actual video tape on the dust jacket. This makes it quite personal to you and we add a title of your choice. This collage is also printed directly on to the DVD with your title of choice on it. (see SPECIAL OFFERS for picture). We find that adhesive lables on DVDs affect balance and playback which is why we use printers that print directly to DVD. In the BUDGET/NO FRILLS option we have a pretty picture and a title of you choice. It still looks professional and don’t be put off by the ‘budget’ label. The quality of conversion in this option is the same as the DE LUXE. It is only the packaging that is different.
What happens if my DVD doesn’t play?
We burn our DVDs at a very slow speed to ensure reliability and compatability. We control test our DVDs on two different machines before they are returned to the client, Sometimes, (although very rarely with modern equipment) we find, particularly with older DVD players, that there may be a compatability problem. Please try the DVD via your computer and/or another player first and contact us asap if there is a problem. We will endeavour to do whatever we can to resolve this.
