TechHelp Ottawa
We Digitize BETAMAX™ tapes to DVD & MP4
(NTSC & PAL formats)
OUR RATES ARE UP-FRONT & COMPETITIVE
WE PAY THE TAX
BETAMAX
To MP4 or DVD
(NTSC & PAL)
$13.00 PER HOUR OF TAPE
Tax included
Discounts for quantity
Price includes cropping on MP4 video files
(See Frequently Asked Questions below)
BETAMAX
To MP4 and DVD
(NTSC & PAL)
$15.00 PER HOUR OF TAPE
Tax included
Discounts for quantity
Price includes cropping on MP4 video files
(See Frequently Asked Questions below)
NOTE: If you have Betamax tapes that you think might be blank or contain content such as TV shows that you don't want digitized, we can view your questionable tapes for a handling fee of $3 per tape. We will NOT digitize tapes that contain TV shows or movies, thus saving you money.
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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.
NOTE: Sound restoration techniques can be applied to video files converted from VHS, 8mm Camcorder and Mini-DV tapes. This is particularly effective in reducing consistent background noise such as fans, air conditioners and hum, and in enhancing voices. Visit this page on our website.
Frequently Asked Questions
• The viewer chooses from one menu item at the beginning of the DVD.
• Since the DVD is imbedded with chapter markers, the "Skip" button on the remote control can be used to navigate forward at equal-intervals of 5 or 10 minutes. "Fast Forward" and "Rewind" buttons can also be used to to navigate through content.
• This method copies the entire VHS tape from beginning to end — blank spots and all — just like the original!
Scroll down to read our Frequently Asked Questions and Tips for Better Service
• Since the DVD is imbedded with chapter markers, the "Skip" button on the remote control can be used to navigate forward at equal-intervals of 5 or 10 minutes. "Fast Forward" and "Rewind" buttons can also be used to to navigate through content.
• This method copies the entire VHS tape from beginning to end — blank spots and all — just like the original!
Scroll down to read our Frequently Asked Questions and Tips for Better Service
DVDs that have been transferred from Betamax 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 Betamax players hides this skewed line through over-scanning.
Betamax tapes that are converted to MP4 video files are cropped at the bottom so that this line is not present.
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 Betamax players hides this skewed line through over-scanning.
Betamax tapes that are converted to MP4 video files are cropped at the bottom so that this line is not present.
Most—if not all—commercially recorded Betamax movies are digitally protected to prevent copying. To break this "digital lock" in order to duplicate content would be breaking the law. That is why we do not transfer and/or duplicate digitally locked copyrighted media of any kind, including Betamax tapes.
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.
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.
We use the best equipment available to ensure the best quality possible from the Betamax format.
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.
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.
Yes, we can edit your VHS 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.
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 available, such as state-of-the art Betamax to DVD transfer decks. We use Mac computers and advanced movie editing software for creating video files.
For just $7 more, the surface of each DVD is professionally imprinted with a custom-made label using an inkjet printing technique. Let us know at the outset if you would like to give us a picture that will be used in the label design. Each DVD is packaged in a paper sleeve for protection.
Tips For Better Service
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that tapes are organized and accurately labelled — preferably by numbers. This helps us to properly label the resulting DVDs.
It is very helpful when you can indicate to us the length of each tape. This can also save you money, as two short tapes (one hour or less each) can be put onto one DVD. Otherwise, each Betamax tape is transferred to its own DVD, regardless of length (up to two hours).
If you can, please save us time by rewinding your tapes before delivering them to us.
• Rates are subject to change without notice.
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