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Monday, February 22, 2010

How long do VHS tapes Last - Indianapolis, Indiana 46236

Who Transfers VHS tapes to DVD in Indianapolis, Indiana 46236?
I transfer many VHS tapes for customers and I am amazed at how many of them are deep into the stages of deterioration. I promise, this is not an exaggeration: Videotapes really do degrade much faster than people realize. In as little as 8–10 years, tapes can suffer deterioration, and total life expectancy is less than 20 years. A tape frequently shows a lower quality of picture crispness just after 5 years.
So why does videotape deterioration happen? 
Well, there are three main parts to a videotape:
1. physical plastic tape
2. magnetic particles (iron oxide), which contain the video and audio
3. The "binder," which is glue that holds the magnetic particles to the plastic tape
These particles act like tiny bar magnets and are changed into patterns when the tape passes over an electromagnet during the recording process. When the tape is played back, the patterns are picked up by a playback head and become the video image. Over time, the binder glue weakens. When this happens, the magnetic particles lose their adhesion to the tape.
Why does the binder glue weaken? 
1. Some of the tape is rubbed off every time it is played
2. How the tapes are stored affects the glue also. high humidity, or in a room where the temperature changes substantially dramatically affect tapes. Plus, VHS tapes are vulnerable to sudden data loss resulting from static shock or strong electric fields, such as those generated by TVs and other electronics. 
Even worse, the magnetic particles can become separated from the binder just over time, a process that accelerates as the tape gets older. This happens because as the binder absorbs more and more water from normal humidity, it swells and exposes more surface area – absorbing even more moisture.
What are the signs of a weakening binder?
1. Faded color and audio changes.
2. The timing and color signals that the tape outputs to the VCR also start to fade. 
3. Straight lines begin to look a little wavy, rolling lines can appear on the video, and the picture can start to jitter because your VCR has trouble picking up the necessary signals.
Eventually, a tape will become unwatchable and the video completely gone. This happens when it clogs the playback heads of a VCR or camcorder. Want to know how to fix your VHS tapes? - Or bring them to me at Home Video Studio
I hope this helps you understand that the vulnerability of videotapes make them the most unsuitable media for long-term storage of precious video memories. Which is why I strongly recommend you convert your tapes to DVD as soon as possible.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Professional Video Editing in Indianapolis, Indiana 46236

Need video edited for website in Indianapolis?

In the past week I have edited videos for two different local business women looking to condense some footage they had recorded and then compress to a format that could easily be placed on their respective websites. Both Carol and Kathleen brought me videos that were roughly 40 minutes and they wanted the dead spaces cut out and all the edges and transitions smoothed to allow for a more enjoyable viewing experience. Kathleen's video was of two procedures that she performs on a daily basis and she wanted to be able to point potential customers to her new website to view the process and address concerns before buying. She was very pleased with the result and is interested in having us reproduce these videos in the future with more of a focus on sales instead of the videos just being informative.



Carol's intent with her video was to have me create a demo DVD with a compressed web format version for her website that she could use to get more opportunities and attain new business. I put a title in the front for Carol and programmed the DVD to bypass a menu and play the track (her demo) first when inserted into a player and then at the end of the demo her contact information would automatically pop onto the screen. Carol was pleased with her project as well and I believe it will get her more opportunities and in turn she may need a new demo soon.

For both women I compressed a web version of their videos into a high quality MPEGP-4 format and tweaked the parameters for web streaming so they could easily upload and potential customers could easily download and view their new videos. At Home Video Studio we edit video using Apple's Final Cut Studio Pro which is quickly taking over the entire movie making industry.

Come See me at Home Video Studio - Indianapolis (Lawrence)
9423 Pendleton Pike ~ 46236

Monday, February 15, 2010

Super 8 film transferred to DVD in Indianapolis, Indiana 46236

How do I digitize my parents old film?

Angie from Indianapolis (Lawrence) stopped by to see me at Home Video Studio on Pendleton Pike last week to discuss transferring her Grandfather's old Super 8 film to DVD. She said her Grandfather was doing well but fighting and winning a battle with cancer and she wanted him to be able to enjoy these old movies that he had filmed. Angie brought in an average amount of film that she wanted transferred. I think we totaled it up around 3700 feet which would require 3 DVDs and would be almost 6 hours of video.

The price was a little more than Angie and her family had wanted to pay, fortunately for her we were running a special for Valentine's Day and I was able to give her an additional 10% off her order. On top of that, I introduced her to The Great American Home Movie Project that Home Video Studio was undertaking this year. Angie was very excited about the GAHMP Project and because she was willing to participate I was able to knock another $75 off of her order. Now she and I were both happy! I look forward to showing Angie her final DVDs and I know she cannot wait to share it with her Grandfather and the rest of the family.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Audio Cassette Tapes Transferred to CD in Indianapolis, Indiana 46236

How do I transfer audio cassettes to CD?

Today I met with Richard from Indianapolis  who brought 20 audio cassettes and one VHS tape to transfer to CD and DVD. He wanted some of his old favorite music videos on the VHS tape put onto our Gold DVD so they would last forever, this was a task I could do easily for him. I charged him $19.95. Then we discussed his audio cassettes and unfortunately I could not transfer 6 of his tapes due to copyright laws. The good news though, was I could do the other 14 tapes because they were tapes he had made himself, some were music and some voice overs. I generally charge $29.95 per audio cassette (can be very time intensive), but since Richard had more than 10 tapes I was able to reduce the price to $24.95 each which included titling on the CD and track selection. He was very pleased at this price.


Richard also asked about transferring those little VCR tapes know as VHS-Cs.  I told him that we at Home Video Studio specialize in that and I would love to help preserve those memories for him.  I love being able to promise a great product and produce a great product.


Our Home Video Studio is in the Indianapolis (Lawrence) area:
9423 Pendleton Pike, 46236

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Understanding PAL and NTSC


What's the difference between PAL and NTSC?


PAL and NTSC are the video and broadcast standards used throughout the world. NTSC is primarily the North American standard, and PAL is mostly associated with Europe and Asia. The two standards are different enough to present a lot of problems when trying to convert between the two. Have you ever exchanged home videos with a relative in another country only to discover that the videos will not play? That's likely due to the differences between PAL and NTSC.
The main differences between the two actually stem from the power used for the television and video displays. NTSC is powered by a 60 hertz source, and PAL is powered by a 50hz source. The technical implication of this is that the video is output at 60 and 50 
fields per second, and once it's interlaced, it results in NTSC producing 30 frames per second, and PAL producing 25 frames per second.
Also, PAL and NTSC use different resolutions. PAL broadcasts contain 625 lines of resolution, while NTSC contains only 525.

When trying to play PAL media on an NTSC set or vice versa, strange things can happen from no video at all to clipped frame rates, and distorted images.

There are different methods of conversion that accomplish the PAL/NTSC standards change and they vary in quality considerably. If you have PAL or NTSC video that needs to be converted, contact me at Home Video Studio today. We have the high-end tools along with many years of experience converting video for the most discerning broadcast and corporate clients in the world.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Valentine's Day Video Photo Montage - Indianapolis








What gift to get for Valentine's Day?




This year why not suprise that special someone with a Valentine’s video photo montage. Just select 30 favorite pictures and two romantic songs and have Home Video Studio create a unique one of a kind gift for your Valentine. They can even add your personlized message at the end. Your Valentine DVD will last forever and both of you can enjoy the memories over and over again. This is a cupid approved gift giving idea.

Call HVS at 800-274-5642 to set up an appointment.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Looking to Convert Film to DVD in Indianapolis area

How to transfer film to digital format?
In most of our attics or basements we all have boxes full of 8mm, 16mm or Super 8 film reels that are collecting dust. These reels hold the cherished memories of your childhood or your kids’ childhood. They’re memories you don’t want to forget and yet they sit up there gathering dust and wasting away to the point that soon you won’t be able to watch them ever again. Most people don’t consider the fact that time and that very dust that fills the attic can destroy the evidence of those memories we enjoy so much.
It’s a fact: film breaks and gets brittle with age. The images we knew and loved will fade and change color over time. It’s for this reason many people are making the smart choice to have their old pictures and film transferred into a digital form. Film and video preservation specialists can not only combine your boxes of film and reels into this modern, high-quality digital format, they can also improve the images by making minor repairs and splicing brittle film that’s broken over time. They have the technology to remove color casts of red, yellow, or blue so that your memories will be restored to their original quality. They can also reduce noise, synchronize frames, and correct over- and under-exposure.
The transfer process uses an aerial capture method that incorporates a 3CCD camera. By using this combination, the technicians are able to produce a digital version of your home movie that is extremely high quality, flicker-free, and in perfect focus (as long as it was shot in focus). Instead of a real-time copy, the processors go over the film frames one by one, digitizing each frame and reassembling them into a digital version that has no interference. People who remember the flickering, bouncy movies of their childhood will love the new, movement-free version they get when they transfer film to digital.
One of the drawbacks to the old 8mm, 16mm, or Super 8films is that the reels allowed for 3 to 4.5 minutes worth of filming, which meant you needed many reels of that type of film to properly capture a family event. But now, as an added bonus, when the technicians transfer film to digital, they can trim, join, and rearrange the film clips to consolidate those multiple small reels into larger ones for ease of storage. They can even create a custom slideshow complete with navigation menus, titles, and special effects which you can online with family and friends who live in far-off places.
Don’t be the reason you lose the memory of your child’s first steps. The longer you wait, the more chance there is that dust and lint are destroying the quality of your family’s happiest moments. Preserve those happy times through film transfer to digital so they will last a lifetime and beyond.
For more information about film transfer to digital, contact Digital Pickle at 1-800-274-5642 or email them today.