TechHelp Ottawa Transfers/Converts Sony Betamax™ Tapes to DVD or to Digital MP4 Video Files
(NTSC & PAL Formats)
(Mobile users scroll down for more content)
OTTAWA PHONE NUMBER
2046 AVENUE P, OTTAWA, ON
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OUR RATES ARE UP-FRONT & COMPETITIVE
We use state-of-the art equipment to ensure the highest quality possible.
#1 - BETAMAX TO DVD
CHEAPEST & MOST POPULAR
EACH BETAMAX TAPE IS TRANSFERRED TO ITS OWN DVD — WITH ONE DVD MENU ITEM* — DISC PLAYS ON ANY NORTH AMERICAN DVD PLAYER
BETAMAX (NTSC & PAL) TO DVD
$10.00 PER HOUR OF TAPE
(minimum fee of $10 if tape is under 1 hour)
(tax included)
• 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 Betamax tape from beginning to end, 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 Betamax tape from beginning to end, just like the original!
Scroll down to read our Frequently Asked Questions and Tips for Better Service
DVDs that have been transferred from NTSC Betamax tapes may 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.
Betamax tapes that are converted to MP4 video files are cropped at the bottom.
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.
Betamax tapes that are converted to MP4 video files are cropped at the bottom.
#2 - BETAMAX TO VIDEO FILE
BETAMAX TAPE IS CONVERTED TO MP4 VIDEO FILE — FOR PLAYING ON COMPUTERS, SMART PHONES OR TABLETS, OR FOR IMPORTING INTO MOVIE EDITING SOFTWARE
BETAMAX TAPE IS CONVERTED TO MP4 VIDEO FILE — FOR PLAYING ON COMPUTERS, SMART PHONES OR TABLETS, OR FOR IMPORTING INTO MOVIE EDITING SOFTWARE
BETAMAX (NTSC & PAL) TO MP4
$13.00 PER HOUR OF TAPE
(minimum fee of $13 if tape is under 1 hour)
(tax included)
Capturing tape content and converting it into a video file format is time consuming. We use the high quality H.264 codec to produce .mp4 (MPEG-4).
Resulting video files are cropped to eliminate unwanted edges and then put onto a USB thumb drive or DVD data disk and can be imported into movie editing software. Large video files can be delivered to clients digitally through Dropbox™. Ask us for details.
Resulting video files are cropped to eliminate unwanted edges and then put onto a USB thumb drive or DVD data disk and can be imported into movie editing software. Large video files can be delivered to clients digitally through Dropbox™. Ask us for details.
• Please do not ask us to duplicate or convert copyright protected movies.
• Rates are subject to change without notice.
• Rates are subject to change without notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 Betamax tapes 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 Betamax tapes 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.
As the old saying goes: "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear." In the same way, digitizing and transferring analogue Betamax content to DVD (or to video file) can in no way improve picture quality. What we assure, however, is that the final product will mirror exactly the quality of content contained on the original tapes.
Be sure to check your tapes before delivering them to us because the tape contents will be reproduced exactly — flaws and all! By checking first, you'll know what to expect.
Be sure to check your tapes before delivering them to us because the tape contents will be reproduced exactly — flaws and all! By checking first, you'll know what to expect.
Yes, we can edit your Betamax tape content, but additional fees will apply. Please ask us in advance about editing your VHS content.
We use only the best equipment available, such as a commercial grade Betamax player. We use Mac computers and advanced movie editing software for creating video files.
For just $5 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).
Our clients include:
Our clients include: Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions; Government of Canada; Lee Valley Tools; Retired Teachers of Ontario; Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association (CWSA); Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany; Ishaka Cultural Group; Sweet Grass Records; Lutheran Church Eastern Synod; Futures Food Products; Rideau Ferry Harbour; Heritage North Museum; Mosaic International; etc.
All prices are in Canadian dollars and include tax. Rates may change without notice.
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