Ask Away!...
Q: My tapes were ruined in the recent floods.. Can you help?
A: We’ve had amazing success restoring flood damaged tapes.. So all is not lost! Check it out here..
Q: Why offer so many levels of video transfer service?
A: Because people have different needs and reasons for wanting their video transferred. We don’t presume to tell you what you need.. We listen, ask questions, and then suggest the most cost effective solution to match up with your requirements.
• If you just want a good cheap job, then our bargain Direct to DVD transfer might fit the bill for you. These are performed on high end time-base corrected DVD recorders, and are simply packaged in a poly mailer case. If you’ve got a lot of tapes you need transferred as cheaply as possible, then this option could suit you.
• If on the other hand you want the best quality transfer using all the professional processes we offer, you’ll want multi-step Pro Transfers. We’ll use the very highest quality signal chain, right down to the quality of the cable, and then the Top and Tail of your program content will be edited out so that you don’t have any static or blank video before or after your video.
• Our Premium Transfer upgrades the Pro Transfer service to include a scene-specific DVD menu system, and personalized matching themed case designs of your choice from our range. These are perfect for where a top quality presentation is really important.. your Wedding video perhaps, or a DVD you intend to give as a gift. We also have a range of very special packaging ideas to make your gift truly one-of-a-kind!
Q: Why do you charge by the hour & not by the tape?
A: We actually charge a combination of “per tape” as well as a component for the tape’s playing time, not the full tape length. And the reason that we switched to this method, is simply that we think it is fairer. While people with a lot of long tapes may not want to agree, if you have any short tapes in the mix you will also benefit from the savings to be had there.. Any flat charge pricing structure penalizes people with short tapes. And when we got 5 hr tapes recorded in LP mode (10 hours play time) we got penalized!
Q: I have an old video tape that plays back very poorly now - why is this?
A: Over time (..from as short as 7 years old), video tapes start to lose the magnetic signal that was recorded onto them. Additionally some cheaper tapes made in the 80's & 90's are of very poor quality and the layer containing the magnetic particles can shed off the plastic backing in flakes, falling all over the floor of the tape case and your VCR. For tapes that are precious and irreplaceable, we strongly recommend that they be converted to DVD. This needs to be done BEFORE the magnetic signal is lost forever. When the signal is gone (or if it becomes erased accidentally) there is no way to 'repair' that type of damage.
We are one of only a handful of companies who care enough to offer Time Base Correction (TBC) and Digital Noise Reduction (DNR) that can go some way to restoring deteriorating tape. The other good news is that video which is recorded onto quality DVD media is expected to last for up to 100 years, with archival Gold DVDs guaranteed to last for 100+ years with no loss in quality!
Q: Can I sit in on an editing session?
A: We do offer sit-in edit sessions by appointment. You can be the Director - our lightning fast editors will tailor your video to order in a snap..
Q: It takes 14 days?.. What if I need my transfer sooner than that?
A: We offer various levels of priority service for when a faster turnaround is needed. You’ll find these express surcharges on our Priority Service page here.
Q: I have DVDs from a camcorder/DVD recorder that are not finalized., and I can’t play them.. Can you help?
A: The best place - and in fact the only guaranteed place - to finalized these discs is in the recorder that made them. Having said that we do have a number of recorders and camcorders here, and can attempt to finalize them for you. The way we work this is that we will attempt finalization for you on a number of devices, at a charge to you of $8 per disc, payable whether or not we are ultimately successful.
Q: Can I have my slides play in a DVD slideshow set to music? (..instead of our standard delivery format - supplied on DVD as both a “Clik Thru” Slideshow, and as DVD-ROM content you can print from)
A: Yes. We can supply your slides in a DVD slideshow set to music at varying cost according to the complexity of the presentation you are after. Prices start from as low as $33.00 (When chosen as an add-on to an image scanning project.)
Q: Can I have varying types of media all joined together into a special presentation..?
A: Yes. Anything that you (..or we) can scan or transfer can be edited into a professional presentation. We can even shoot new footage as necessary. We can produce these presentations for all types of occasions. See here for details.
Q: Are my precious items safe in the post?
A: We recommend you choose sturdy packaging and use Registered Mail from Australia Post. We have had very good results with this service. Unfortunately though, we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may occur in transit. When we return your original media we use Express Post.
Q: My tape was jammed in the VCR. I pulled it out and the tape is mangled and crinkled. What should I do?
A: If your tape is a regular commercial tape, we recommend that you throw away the damaged tape and buy a new replacement on DVD. (Or you can have us source a replacement for you). If, however, the tape is non-commercial & precious to you (like the only copy of your child’s 1st birthday, your wedding, etc.) then send it to us & we will rescue it for you & produce a DVD or CD as the case may be. Do not try to disassemble the tape housing and repair it yourself. Do not rewind the tape into the tape housing. Leave it "as is". Tampering with the damaged tape or trying to disassemble the plastic cassette housing may result in the permanent loss of the tape. Details of our tape repairs services are here.
Q: Why do I need to have a copy made of my repaired tape?
A: Although we can repair your original video tape, it is not well known that playing the splice over the delicate heads of the VCR or camera can cause irreparable damage to the player. Additionally we regard the splice as only a temporary fix anyway.. Even though we make professional repairs using a professional splicing block and real splicing tape (not sticky tape) we do not guaranteed the life of the repair. Therefore, we provide you with a DVD copy of your original video (along with the repaired original tape) as part of our repair service. If preferred we can supply a tape duplicate instead of a DVD. You’ll need to specify that you want a new tape copy rather than a DVD. If you choose this option we recommend that the original tape be saved as a back up tape and that the new tape copy be used for routine viewing thereafter.
Q: Is it OK to play the repaired tape in my VCR?
A: In most instances, a splice is required to repair the videotape. The splice is very strong and should not easily break. However, due to the splice, the videotape is ‘thicker’ at that point on the tape. Passing this extra thickness across your video playback heads presents a serious risk for your VCR or camcorder. So No.. we do not recommend that you play your repaired tape.
Q: What types of videotapes do you repair?
A: We can repair VHS, Betamax, 8mm, Hi8 & Digital 8 and mini-DV format video cassettes. We also repair audio tapes - Compact Cassette and mini Cassette formats.
Q: My tape was accidentally recorded over. Is there a way to recover the original video?
A: Sorry - but the answer is unfortunately no. If you have an irreplaceable tape, we always recommend making one or more back up copies as soon as possible. Also notice that designed into the shell of almost all types of video or audio tape there is either a breakout tab or sliding tab to prevent accidental erasure. Use these!! :-)
Q: Can you take photos from video or old cinefilm?
A: Yes we can. Please contact us to discuss pricing for this service.
Q: I’m in a country area. What areas do you service?
A: RetroMedia services the South East corner of Queensland; Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast areas, as well as Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, Darwin, Hobart, Woolongong, Newcastle, Townsville and all other regional areas by Australia Post’s Express Post service.