TechHelp Ottawa
We Digitize BETAMAX™ tapes to DVD & MP4
(NTSC & PAL formats)
OUR RATES ARE UP-FRONT & COMPETITIVE
WE PAY THE TAX

We'll be open again in September, 2022. Have a great summer!
BETAMAX
To MP4 or DVD
(NTSC & PAL)
$13.00 PER HOUR OF TAPE
(ADD $5 FOR COMBINATION MP4 & DVD)
Tax included
Discounts for quantity
Price includes cropping on MP4 video files
(See Frequently Asked Questions below)
Click on the + sign below to learn more
Video digitizing the right way!
Click + sign to learn moreAt TechHelp Ottawa, we do video digitizing the right way! We use only the best equipment available such as high quality DVD transfer decks and a studio Betamax unit that is compatible with both North American NTSC and European PAL formats.
We have also invested heavily in state-of-the-art computer software for digitally capturing Betamax content for conversion to MP4 video files. For tapes recorded in the NTSC format, MP4 files are manually cropped to eliminate the squiggly line at the bottom of the picture that is produced by what is called the NTSC video signal — a byproduct of the digitization process.
MP4 files can be edited for audio and video properties. Just ask us.
Please do not ask us to duplicate or convert commercial Betamax movies.
Frequently Asked Questions
• 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
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.
December, 2012 — Canada's recent Copyright Modernization Act "legitimizes activities that Canadians do every day. For example, it recognizes that Canadians should not be liable for … copying music from CDs to MP3 players, or backing up data if they are doing so for their private use and have not broken a digital lock." Bill C-11 was passed and received Royal Assent on June 29, 2012.
Betamax tapes are analogue, however, producing only a standard definition (SD), low resolution picture at a 4 X 3 aspect ratio (like with older TVs).
Moreover, the picture quality of home VHS tapes is notoriously bad! Quality can be adversely affected by tape deterioration, slow recording speeds, less than ideal shooting conditions, over and under exposure, tracking problems, the fact that the tape is a dubbed copy of another tape, etc. The DVD reproduces these imperfections exactly. Read more below.
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.
Tips For Better Service
Sorry, we're closed. We'll be open again in September, 2022.
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