TechHelp Ottawa
We Digitize VHS video tapes to DVD or MP4
TechHelp Ottawa is located near the Via Rail station, Ottawa Train Yards and St. Laurent Shopping Centre east of downtown Ottawa.
CONTACT US FOR OUR LOCATION
Our Rates Are Up-Front & Competitive
VHS to MP4 or DVD
WE CHARGE BY THE HOUR OF CONTENT
$25 - 1 HOUR OR LESS OF CONTENT
MORE THAN 1 HOUR OF CONTENT
$15 PER HOUR - FIRST 9 HOURS
$14 PER HOUR - 10 HOURS AND BEYOND
ADDITIONAL SERVICES UPON REQUEST
• $3 for simple DVD label
• $7 for custom colour DVD label
• Add $8 for each extra DVD copy
Tax included
Discounts for quantity
Price includes cropping on MP4 video files
(See Frequently Asked Questions below)
NOTE: If you have VHS tapes that you think might be blank or contain content such as TV shows that you don't want digitized, there are two options:
1) We can rent you a VCR at $20 per day. We will reduce this fee by half if you use our services.
OR
2) We can view your questionable VHS tapes for a handling fee of $3 per tape. We will NOT digitize tapes that contain TV shows or movies, thus saving you money.
1) We can rent you a VCR at $20 per day. We will reduce this fee by half if you use our services.
OR
2) We can view your questionable VHS tapes for a handling fee of $3 per tape. We will NOT digitize tapes that contain TV shows or movies, thus saving you money.
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 VHS to DVD transfer decks.
We have also invested heavily in state-of-the-art computer software for digitally capturing VHS content for conversion to MP4 video files. 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.
Most companies that offer video transfer services charge a flat fee by the tape, regardless of length. For example: $29 each for the first 9 tapes. $25 each for the next 10 or more tapes. TechHelp Ottawa charges by the hour of content (see our hourly rates above). This fee structure is especially advantageous to those whose tapes are not full or who aren't sure what's on their tapes.
MP4 files can be edited for audio and video properties. Just ask us.
Please do not ask us to duplicate or convert commercial VHS 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
Most companies that offer video transfer services charge a flat fee by the tape, regardless of length. For example: $29 each for the first 9 tapes. $25 each for the next 10 or more tapes. TechHelp Ottawa charges by the hour of content (see our hourly rates above). This fee structure is especially advantageous to those whose tapes are not full or who aren't sure what's on their tapes.
DVDs and MP4 video files that have been transferred from VHS tapes will display a skewed line at the bottom of the screen when you watch them on a computer. VHS tapes that are converted to MP4 video files are cropped at the bottom so that this line is not present.
• 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
• 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
Most—if not all—commercially recorded VHS 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 VHS 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 VHS format.
VHS 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.
VHS 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 VHS 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.
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 also save you money, as two short tapes (one hour or less each) can be put onto one DVD. Otherwise, each VHS tape is transferred to its own DVD, regardless of length (up to two hours).
• Rates are subject to change without notice.
EMAIL US
techhelp@ncf.ca
OTTAWA PHONE
343-887-8715
Our website works perfectly with smartphones
NEED TO PREVIEW YOUR VHS TAPES?
YOU CAN RENT A VHS UNIT FROM US. JUST ASK.
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EMAIL US
techhelp@ncf.ca
OTTAWA PHONE
343-887-8715
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