TechHelp Ottawa

• Most modern TVs have a USB port either on the side or back of the unit. Plug the USB stick into that port and use the Input or Source button on your remote to find the USB. Then it’s a matter of selecting and playing the files. You might want to check the TV manual for more info.

• If you’re a Mac computer user, plug in the USB stick, use Finder to locate the USB stick, and double-click on the file you want to play. MP4 files open in the QuickTime app.

• If you’re a Windows user, plug in the USB stick, use Windows Explorer to locate the USB stick, and double-click on the file you want to play. MP4 files open in Windows Media Player or any other 3rd party media player that you’ve installed.

You might want to download and install the VLC app which is a good alternative to the above for playing MP4 files on ether Mac or Windows computers. WEBSITE: https://www.videolan.org

DVDs that have been transferred from VHS tapes will display a skewed line at the bottom of the screen when you watch the disks on a computer. This happens because, when tapes are transferred to DVD and watched on a computer display, we see the whole picture, including the part at the bottom that was meant to be hidden through a process called over-scanning.

When playing these same disks on a DVD player, however, this bottom line—produced by the NTSC video signal—is hidden from view because of over-scanning. Similarly, the electronics of VHS players hides this skewed line through over-scanning.

VHS tapes that are converted to MP4 video files are cropped at the bottom so that this line is not present.

We use the best equipment available to ensure the best quality possible. We caution, however, that most video camera tapes are analogue, producing only a low resolution picture at a 4 X 3 aspect ratio (like with older TVs).

Moreover, the picture quality of video camera tapes is notoriously poor! Quality is adversely affected by tape deterioration, slow recording speed, less than ideal shooting conditions, over and under exposure, tracking problems, dizzying camera movements, etc. The DVD reproduces exactly these imperfections.

Yes, we can edit your 8mm Camcorder tape content, but additional fees will apply. Please ask us in advance about editing your VHS content.

NOTE: Sound restoration techniques can be applied to MP4 video files as well. This is particularly effective in reducing consistent background noise such as fans, air conditioners and hum, and in enhancing voices. Ask us to explain.

We use only the best equipment such as a state-of-the art high definition Canon Vixia HV30 Digital Camcorder, Sony Hi8 Camcorder, Mac computers and advanced movie editing software.

Upon request, the surface of each DVD is professionally imprinted with a custom-made label using an inkjet printing technique. Each DVD is packaged in a paper sleeve for protection. The fee is $7 per DVD.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that tapes are accurately labelled and organized. This helps us to properly label the resulting DVDs.

If you can, please save us time by rewinding your tapes before delivering them to us.

It is very helpful when you can indicate to us the length of each tape. This can save you money, as two short tapes (one hour or less each) can be put onto one DVD. Otherwise, each video camera tape is transferred to its own DVD, regardless of length (up to two hours).