TAPE TO DVD CONVERSION: FAQs
You have lots of questions...Memory Keepers has ALL the answers! Why should I convert my video and camcorder tapes to DVD? 1. Your precious memories will be preserved for at least the next 100 years. Pass them on as an heirloom in your family. Future generations will be thankful you did! How do I get my tapes ready/organized? 1. Put your tapes in date order, if possible. If you don't already have the dates written on each tape, then you may want to try viewing your tapes. You may have used the date stamp function or you may simply recognize the timeframe based on the events recorded. 2. Place a sticker on each tape or use a marker to write a number on each tape to indicate the correct order. 3. If you do not know the date order and you don't have the time to review your tapes or don't have a working camera to review your tapes, DON'T SWEAT IT! We can simply transfer your tapes in random order. 4. Unless you indicate otherwise, we will assume you want the tapes to be transferred back-to-back so that each DVD is full. Remember, there is an additional charge for having more than one source tape per DVD. See pricing for details. 5. Now you've got your entire videotaped history organized and ready to give to Memory Keepers! PLEASE feel free to call if you have more questions about getting your tapes in order. We will be happy to help you! Memory Keepers We recommend using a shipper such as FedEx
or UPS so that you can track your shipment via a tracking number. We
recommend using a sturdy box and proper cushioning materials such as bubble
wrap, styrofoam peanuts or simply scrunched up newspapers. Please include
how you would like your DVD's titled. We accept Visa, Discover and
MasterCard. Please include your credit card information including your
credit card number, expiration date and the billing address for the credit
card. Please include your phone number and an e-mail address so that we
can contact you.
Please read our information below, and visit our About and Pricing pages.
2. Your memories will be more organized, so you will watch and enjoy them more often.
3. It will be easier to watch them (no need to find cables, hook up cameras, fast forward or rewind).
4. DVDs make great gifts to family members.
How long do videotapes actually last?
Just as people do, all videotapes (even digital tapes) age and fade, gradually. They age and fade regardless of how carefully they are stored or played. All videotapes degrade over time, simply due to a chemical reaction of the tape's tiny magnetic particles and the plastic backing they're adhered to. The magnetic particles separate from the plastic backing, turning into a virtually invisible powder and taking whatever video and audio that was on the tape, with it.
It's hard to know how much aging a particular videotape has experienced. This process occurs gradually and persistently. As the degradation occurs, it will appear as loss of video quality (more snow on the picture), and a fading picture that isn't as clear as the day the video was recorded. The easy part is knowing that the aging process started the day the tape left the factory, and it occurs even under the best storage conditions. The hard part is knowing just when this degradation will become obvious, and how quickly it will progress.
Why should I trust Memory Keepers?
We understand how precious and irreplaceable your videotapes are. After all, that is why you want to convert them to DVD in the first place. We promise to treat videotape as if it was our own. We have never lost or damaged a videotape.
We use professional-grade equipment that will not damage your videotapes.
At Memory Keepers, you'll know that you are trusting your memories to experienced professionals who will not only take great care of your tapes, but also provide you with a finished DVD that you will enjoy and cherish for many generations to come.
How much does it cost to have my videotapes transferred to DVD?
See our Pricing Information.
How long will it take to get my DVDs?
The typical processing time is 5 - 10 business days, depending on the size of your order. We will do "rush" orders for an additional charge.
For some videos, this is an easy question...for example, if you have a wedding tape, we can just put it onto its own DVD.
But if you want to have all of your family's camcorder/video tapes put into a series of DVDs (like MOST of our customers do!), then we make the following suggestions:
How do I place an order?
You can place your order at our location
in downtown Naperville, Illinois OR you
can ship your order to us at:
216 S. Main Street - Suite 2A
Naperville, IL
60540
Simply contact us with any additional questions.
What types of tapes can Memory Keepers convert?
The videotape formats that we
accept include VHS, S-VHS, VHS-C, Beta,
8mm, Hi8, MiniDV, DVCAM, Digital8, MicroMV and others.
In addition, we are proud to offer you complete service on your PAL format tapes! This includes converting PAL to NTSC or NTSC to PAL. Please contact us for details.
Will you convert copyrighted videotapes?
No. We're sorry, but Memory
Keepers services are only available for non-copyrighted materials. If you
have copyrighted material that gives you the
right to make a back-up copy, we will provide you with that service.
What happens if my tape gets damaged?
We go to great lengths to ensure that your tape is returned to you in the same condition we received it. Our equipment is well maintained to ensure that no damage occurs to it, but in the highly unlikely event a tape should unravel/jam while being played, we will replace the tape with an equivalent one. We know we cannot replace the content, so you may want to consider insuring the tape.
How good will my new DVD look?
Your new DVD will be virtually identical to the source tape that you give to us.
How many tapes can I put onto one DVD?
We can combine as many videotapes as you like, as long as their total length is no longer than 120 minutes. If they are longer than 120 minutes, then they will continue onto a second DVD. There is an extra charge for multiple source tapes, so see our price list for details. Furthermore, we recommend
only transferring up to 60 minutes of content on to one DVD when the source tape
is a digital tape such as Digital 8 or miniDV.
Can I watch the DVD on my PC or Mac computer as well as on my TV?
Absolutely. Use any of the
standard DVD playback programs for Windows or Mac and enjoy it on your computer
or on your TV. Not all stand-alone DVD players used to watch DVD's on your
TV are compatible with burned DVD's. Anyone who burns a DVD must burn that
DVD in either the +R or -R format. These formats are compatible with about
97% of all stand-alone DVD players manufactured in the last three years.
Some DVD players may only be compatible with one format or the other. At
Memory Keepers, we burn all of our DVD's in the +R format.
Should you want your DVD's burned in the -R format, simply make that known to us at the time you place your order.
Does playing my DVD wear it out?
Absolutely not. Unlike videotape, playing a DVD does NOT wear it down (there is no physical contact with a DVD when it is played). Every time you watch it, it will look just as good as the first time.
I am concerned about my privacy. Who will be viewing my videotapes?
We have absolute respect for your privacy. Our studio is completely off limits to outsiders. In addition, we have no need to watch your entire video. Once it is set it up for conversion, our equipment handles it from there.
What kind of customer service can I expect from Memory Keepers?
We pride ourselves on the great service we provide our customers. Because many of our customers come to us as referrals, our goal is make sure you're 110% satisfied with the final results! After you see what we can do with your videos, you will want to tell your family and friends to save their videos, too.
Do you offer Gift Certificates?
YES! And what a great gift idea! Contact us for details.
What if I have other questions that are not answered here?
We realize this conversion service may be new to many people, so we encourage more questions. Call us at 630-717-0278. We are always happy to help.
