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

We use the best equipment available to ensure the best quality possible. We caution, however, that some video camera tapes are STANDARD DEFINITION (SD) producing a picture in a 4 X 3 aspect ratio (like with older TVs).

NOTE: Some Mini DV tapes produce high definition images with an aspect ratio of 16 X 9 (compatible with new HD widescreen TVs).

Yes, we can edit your Mini-DV tape content, but additional fees will apply. Please ask us in advance about editing your video 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.

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.

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

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

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.