Transferring one media format to another
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Transferring one media format to another
March 2009
I would like our family movies to enter the digital age and have our
mini-vhs MP tapes transferred to DVD. Can anyone recommend a service that
would be reliable and reasonably priced in Oakland/Berkeley or SF?
Thanks!
Karen
Try Audio Visual Consultants on Grand Avenue in Oakland . A few months
ago, I walked into AVC on Grand Avenue (near Lakeshore area) and was
treated kindly by everyone there. They not only transferred the videos to
DVDs, but they did it quickly, for a reasonable price, labeled them all
perfectly and called me when they were ready (earlier than expected!).
This was SO worth outsourcing (I'd tried to do it myself and lost a
weekend). I'd go there again for any transfers to DVD. All my mother's
home videos from the 30s and 40s are all preserved on DVD, and we couldn't
be happier.
Audio Visual Consultants
3738 Grand Ave
Oakland, CA 94610
(510) 839-2020
Elisa
May 2008
I've got heaps of old videos that I would love to convert to DVDs but am not sure how
to proceed. Are there places I can get this done? Or, since I have a large number of
them, would it make more sense to buy a VCR/DVD combo that might allow me to make my
own copies. Since I'm a bit (a lot!) technology phobic any guidance would be welcome.
Thanks.
While helping my clients get organized we always run into piles of tapes and
old reels of film. I always recommend this site www.imemories.com. They do a
fantastic job and its user friendly.
The Organizer Guy
Dear Technophobe...
After purchasing a well-reviewed VCR/DVD combo that records DVDs for the same
purpose you wanted (transferring old VHS tapes onto DVD), I set out to take
care of business. I ended up finding myself in the middle of a frustrating
project. Not only did the DVD burns not always format correctly, but it seemed
if I did too much transferring from VHS to DVD, the DVD player (not recorder!)
would start malfunctioning so I couldn't even enjoy my well-earned Netflix at
the end of a day.
I finally got wise and outsourced. What a relief. AV Consultants on Grand
Avenue in Oakland will do it for you--we are working with Stuart Sweetow there.
He was so responsive when I asked him about it (and even offered to help me
troubleshoot my project) that I sent my husband down there right away with all
my mother's old home videos (VHS) so I could surprise her with a new family DVD
collection for her upcoming birthday. I'll be interested to hear if anyone's
had any luck with some of the other combo DVD recorders. It's a purchase I
regret, and I'm so happy to have handed it over to a pro who will turn it
around in no time at all! 510-839-2020 at 3738 Grand Avenue (not far from the
Grand Lake Theater) http://www.avconsultants.com/
Best of luck,
Elisa
November 2006
I recently unearthed a pile of my old LPs in the basement (hello again Bay City
Rollers!). I'm going to unload most of the LPs, but a couple of them from my
early childhood are not currently available on CD. I would love to hear them
again and have my kids be able to hear them too, but we don't have a turntable
anymore. Is there any local business that will record my LPs to CD? Is it even
legal?
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y Night!
I am
not a lawyer, it is generally considered legal to make copies of LPs for your own
personal use
Ernie
Check this out. You can evidently do it youself with an Album CD Burner (Restoration
Hardware Catalog). Part # 3605.0553 if you want to do your own search on their website
http://www.restorationhardware.com/
And, yes, it's legal, just as you could make a tape for your personal use.
Technically, I don't think you should then sell the LP, but ... who's gonna know if you
do.
My advice -- don't get rid of any of your LPs. If you have the space, hang onto them!
I inherited my parents' LPs and have added my own, to have a large and varied vinyl
collection that I cherish. If you must, however, there are many software programs that
help you convert your vinyl to MP3s -- just google ''vinyl to MP3'' for a start. If
you want to skip figuring out how to wire analog to digital, you can also buy a record
player that plugs into your computer and converts directly to MP3s -- check out the
Hammacher Schlemmer LP to MP3 record player http://www.hammacher.com/. I don't know of
any stores that provide this service, as it's one thing to convert your own personal
collection -- but may be considered illegal to convert other people's collections.
Good luck!
Vinyl Fan
Do you know about DOWN HOME RECORDS? They are on SanPablo Avenue just past Whole
Foods in ElCerrito. They have a parking lot. Those folks know EVERYTHING or will
find out for you and it's OK to bring kids in
That is always my first place to ask.
October 2006
We lost our old camcorder. It was an older model that works
with small video tapes. After recording your footage, you then
use the camera itself to transfer the mini tape onto a regualr
size VCR video tape.
Well, since we lost (it was stolen) the camcorder, we now have
several mini tapes with precious footage of our kids that we
want to have transfered onto regular sized video tapes, or
actually now we would prefer them transfered to DVD's.
Where could I go to have this done? Any idea of how much it
might cost me?
not a movie maker
See if http://www.homemovie.com/ can help you - I sent them some
full-size VHS tapes and they digitized them for $5 a pop. You
have to download them and burn them onto your own DVDs, but it
sure beats $20+ per tape for the fancy conversion services.
They do super 8 and other weird formats, so may do mini-VHS,
too. Their customer service (via email) was good, too.
JP
August 2006
I've checked the archives but can't seem to find a
recommendation for a place that will transfer our Sony Mini DV
Video Cassettes to DVDs. There are some old recommendations
from '02 about transferring Super 8s to VHS but given the new
technology I'd love a recommendation of a business who can help
me with this (preferrably in Oakland or Berkeley if possible).
Thank you!
Swimming in tapes
Krishna Copy in Berkeley does an excellent job
Ellen
I'm sure A-1 Photo on University can do it for you.
http://www.a1photolab.com/
Andi
August 2006
We have a lot of family videos--VHS and mostly 8 mm--that we would like to have
transferred to DVDs. Nothing fancy, no music, no restoration necessary. Any
recommendations for someone who can help us with this. We know we could get the
machine and do it ourselves but we don't have the time.
Thanks
want to watch!
I can't remember the name of the place (sorry!) but it's on Grand Ave in
north Oakland, right across the street from the Safeway on Grand Ave.
(about 4 blocks south of where Oakland Ave crosses Grand Ave.), and a
few doors down from the Copy Plus shop, past the Uhuru furniture
place. Their awning has the word ''video'' in it, and their windows
advertise their services for making wedding videos. They Xfer anything
to anything. They're reasonable, it's a nice local small business and
they're friendly, competent and professional. I had a lot of DVDs and
VHS's made from digital video ''movies'' I had made for my kids' college
sports recruiters. They do titles, too, on the tapes----they can do it all.
Good luck
Needed help and got it
My mother-in-law recently had all her old super-8 movies (taken
from the 1960s on) transferred to three DVDs at A-1 Photo in
Berkeley (on University). We got a copy and they came out
great. Not sure what she paid but she definitely thinks it was
worth it. They handle all media and can put anything on DVDs.
Here's a link: http://www.a1photolab.com/
Andi
Stu Sweetow of Audio Visual Consultant can do this kind of work
well. AVC is across the street from Safeway on Grand Avenue in
Oakland and has been in business over 20 years.
3738 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610
510-839-2020
Open Mon - Fri 9:00 to 5:30
www.avconsultants.com
Pam
October 2005
Hello - I have a few years worth of Video camera recorder tapes
that I would like to convert to DVD at an affordable price. I
found one source but it was quite pricey. Does anyone have
recommendations?
Denevi in Castro Valley had the best price I could find. They specialize in wholesale
(i.e., they do work for places like Walmart and Longs) but they will take retail
customers.
Helena
I recommend Stuart Sweetow, owner of Audio Visual Consultants,
to convert your tapes to DVD. His prices are reasonable and he
has been in business in Oakland for over 20 years. He is a true
professional and a pleasure to work with. Here is his contact
information: AVC, 3738 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA (510) 839-2020,
wwwavconsultants.com.
Pam
Costco sells a VHS-- DVD recorder for about $200.00. If you
have a number of tapes, it might be cheaper to buy that then
have someone do it for you.....
anon
I was faced with the same problem. I had 35 analog hi-8 tapes.
So I bought a new SONY digital-8 camera for cheap ($300 at
Frye's) and a new Dell desktop (that we needed anyway) with a
DVD-writer, and video editing software for under $100. For the
amount of money it would have cost me to pay to have those
tapes converted, I instead put that money toward the
hardware/software to do it myself. And I can keep on making my
own videos/DVDs. It does take time, but it's very worth it.
bill
Try Rick MacIvor. I have used him to transfer old movies to
dvd. His prices are reasonable and he does a great job.
sara
Nov 2005
My sister was helping our mom go through some boxes when they
uncovered a stack of reel-to-reel tapes. Mom says, 'oh, one of
those is of my wedding.' !!! We have no reel-to-reel tape
player, and sis and I would love to get these things copied to
some durable media we could actually listen to...where can I
have that done? And what does it cost? The tapes are currently
in Orange County, so Southern California recommendations are
welcome -- or I could bring them home next time I visit and have
it done here.
Holly
Check out:
www.homemovie.com
I am probably going to send some of our 8mm and VHS their way.
anon
Call Stu at Audio Visual Consultants. They convert old tapes to
CDs and have been in business over 20 years. They have a store
on upper Grand Ave, north of the Grand Lake theater, but they
are closed on weekends. Phone 510-839-2020. Address: 3738
Grand Ave., Oakland.
Pam
Feb 2005
I'm looking for a company that can take old photos and slides
and create a DVD that's set to music. Any ideas? Price range?
Memory Maker
Marin Filmworks in San Rafael (www.marinfilmworks.com) offers
this service at a reasonable price. I would trust them to handle
your old photos and slides with care. I use them for all my
photo jobs and they are a professional lab with great customer
service (the owners work the front desk!) Good Luck!
photo pal
Contact Rick MacIvor of Digital Duck: rick AT digitalduck.net
He does wedding video work as well.
Melanie
I'd like to recommend my brother-in-law's new photo montage business. He does
excellent quality work, at reasonable prices. I have seen dvds set to music that
he has done for new babies and for a 90th birthday party, and both were great. He
is also able to take your old photos or slides and do restoration work on them.
Infomation about his company, HandMade Digital Video, and prices are listed later
in this newsletter in response to the request for a photo montage recommendation.
good luck!
jolie
I had a ''tribute video'' created for my dad's 70th birthday back
in November. Karen Alvarez is great and especially good at
transitions from slide/picture to slide/picture. She created a
wonderful video for my family and there were no dry eyes in the
house. Here is her website: http://www.tributevideo.tv/
Louise
I highly recommend Tommy Rosen and Kia Miller to put together
your family montage. They are exceptionally creative,
professional and personal.
You can email them at tommy AT freewayentertainment.com
Good luck.
universalspirits
Try Stu Sweetow. I forgot the name of his shop, but he does
tape to DVD conversions very well. 510-839-2020.
Heritage Audio/Visual in Albany can do this for you. Please see:
www.HeritageAV.com for details.
Patrick
Transferring photos to video
Can anyone recommend someone that can create a video from photographs.
I am looking for someone creative that can create a special video for my
in-laws
50th wedding anniversary. I want some help with the creative part (adding music
and graphics) and someone who can also do the transfer.
Kelley
My friend Teri Duff has a company called Family Archive Films that creates
videos and documentaries for families. She has created many videos for
Birthdays and Anniversaries. You can check out her website at
www.passitdown.com. She is very creative and has worked in video for over
12 years. She recently started this home based business so she could
continue to do creative work but also spend more time with her three year
old. You should call her, (510) 336-96600, and make an appointment to go
look at her work. She is quite nice and easy to work with.
Claudia
Oct 2004
Hi,
We have some old 8mm movie reels(round reel diameter is about
8cm) circa 1970's and hundreds and hundreds of printed photos
that I would like to transfer to digital format on a CD or a DVD.
Any recommendations on where to go, or send off to? I'm also
curious about the quality of such transfers.
Thanks.
CK
I used Denevi in Castro Valley for 8mm transfer on to DVD. They were far less
expensive than anyone else I called. They generally have corporate customers (i.e.
Walgreens), but they do take retail clients. Regarding the quality, it is only as good
as the originals. And compared to today's technology, the quality is very weak. I had
wanted to edit the movies on my iMac, but unfortunately they use a proprietary
formatting that I wasn't able to edit. Bottom line is that I would recommend them
unless you wanted to edit your footage.
Helena
April 2003
Can anyone recommend an online photo service (Ofoto, etc.) that
makes slides from digital photo files (.jpeg)? I don't seem to
be aware of any that do. Thanks.
Clarisse
to have a slide (or negative) made from a digital file youcan
call a professional lab like Ziba in Berkely 510-849-0776.
try the slide factory in San Francisco slidefactory.com
christina shook photography
2001
Does anyone know the best way to duplicate audio cassettes that are micro
size? Most places seem set up for the standard size only.
susan
Recommendation Sound Idea/The Duplicator, 405 14th Street, Suite 612 in
downtown Oakland. Their telephone number is 832-5178.
Shoshana
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