Or call us on Mob: 0448 855 056 - ANYTIME...24/7 - for quick answers!
Ask Away!...
Q: Why offer so many levels of video transfer service?
A: Because people have different needs and reasons for wanting their video transferred.
• If you just want a good cheap job, then our bargain Budget level transfer will fit the bill. These are performed on 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 our Value Transfers. Top and tail will be edited out so that you don’t have any static or blank video before or after your video, and the finished product will be presented in our lovely slimline DVD case featuring colour-printed Disc & Disk Case insert.
• Our Premium Transfer upgrades the Value 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: 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 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 express service for when a faster turnaround is needed. You’ll find these express surcharges on our Express 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 at no charge to you if we are unsuccessful (except return shipping costs). If we are successful then we will charge you $7.70 per disc we finalize for you, plus any shipping costs..
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 can use Registered Post at your request, though because we keep the digitized versions on file for 14 days after dispatch you might be willing to save money with regular postage. Replacement versions of Transfer DVDs at a nominal charge is the limit of our liability in this regard. If you are really concerned about sending slides or photos, might we suggest that you try scanning your images to our specifications and enjoy the savings there to had. Please take advantage of our Scanning Guidelines pdf available upon request here.
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, preferably on DVD. If, however, the tape is very meaningful to you (like the only copy of your child’s 1st birthday, your wedding, etc.) then send it to us. 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.
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 quickly 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: We’re having our event videotaped and we’d like to include your slideshow within that video. Is that OK?
A: Yes it is, but there are terms & conditions that apply. Your videographer can simply videotape the screening, or for a better result he may choose to shoot audience reactions, and cut the slideshow into the production at the editing stage. We are happy for him to do this as long as he keeps visible within his edit our logo slide at the end of the slideshow. He must also ackowledge our work in his video’s end credits and/or in his DVD cover art (if there are no end credits). In cases where there is no logo slide, (such as Memorial Tributes) he must ackowledge our work in his video end credits and/or in his DVD cover art (if there are no end credits). The idea of this is to protect our work as being just that.. Our work..
Q: I’m in a country area. What areas do you service?
A: DuplicationStation.com.au 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.
Did you know? We offer professional event videography through our main website www.animotion.com.au