Videotape Conversion

Some important thoughts on consumer and corporate videotape conversion...
In the past several years, there have been many small startup companies with little or no
experience, national discount retail chains, pharmacy chains, even companies that offer
"all-in-one" units for purchase or lease, all to convert video. The sad fact is, we receive more
calls every month from people experiencing problems with their videotape conversion after
doing it themselves or trusting an outside source to do a proper conversion. Sometimes video
has been converted to DVD with issues ranging from generally poor conversion quality, mild to
severe disk playback errors, or problems when copying or converting DVD disk media. Some
disks won't play at all after only a year or two. If the client has gone only to DVD and the disk
has been physically damaged, in most cases there is no backup made and their video is lost.
If a corporate or consumer client has converted their own media in-house, there are most likely
problems with the converted media. Issues can range from simply poor quality to digital data
errors that cannot be seen without analysis but will effect playback, duplication and migration
to future formats.

Even if you don't use MTS to convert your video, below are the basics you should look for
when choosing a reliable service for a proper conversion that lasts.

Why does videotape have a limited lifespan?
Videotape is composed of several different layers of materials. For both older analog and
newer digital videotape, consumer or professional formats, the end-result is the same.
Videotape breaks down, loosing signal information, virtually erasing itself over time. Tape also
wears each time it is played. It can be damaged if run through a player that has not been
properly maintained and can be erased when placed next to electronic or magnetic equipment.
It is also getting harder to find reliable working playback units for many of the older analog
formats.

Today's technology means longer lifespan, greater convenience, and more use.
Unlike videotape, digital video disk (DVD) will not wear with use if handled properly and most
formats cannot be accidentally erased. It does not exhibit a slow decay of "signal" over time. If
the right disk media is properly burned, labeled and stored according to accepted professional
practices, DVD media has a conservative estimated lifespan of 15+ years. It is a practical
choice to store both family video and corporate "reference" video. For media library archives,
most professionals save to digital media file. It offers a wide array of formats for many different
uses. Media file can be quickly and easily migrated to future formats. There are many different
storage options for media files. They can easily be shared across a networked platform. When
combined with the proper indexing information and/or metadata, digital media file is a powerful
resource tool.

The MTS process - what makes us different?

Equipment, knowledge and experience:
Most outside conversion companies, corporate in-house services or do-it-yourselfers do not
have the equipment or resources to convert video properly. Video conversion seems like a
simple task. It is actually VERY complex.

At MTS, we have converted thousands of hours of both corporate and consumer video content.
We use the best equipment available, insuring our corporate clients get professional results
while consumer clients receive the benefit of the same equipment. For each type of video
format we convert, we have several different playback options, multiple signal processor
choices and the experience and tools to know which combination will yield the best result.

For DVD, we record to dedicated hard drives which give us the ability to do simple
editing/clean-up. We can record to DVD at 64 different compression/quality levels (most units
can only record to 3). We have the experience of which disk manufacturers offer the best
quality media, which burners and methods provide the least errors and practice best methods
for disk labeling and storage. This insures that your DVD's work properly from the start and
last their longest. As a simple scratch can irreversibly damage a disk, we very strongly
recommend that a backup is made at the time of the original. As an added insurance, we
make backup disks from a different trusted professional name-brand than the master.

For digital media file, we offer many options. We have the knowledge to recommend the best
formats to convert your media to, for use now and in the future. We also provide guidance on
which storage and backup devices will best suit your current and future needs.

Formats:
At MTS, we have the ability to convert to disk for simple viewing or video file for editing,
archiving, restoration and improvement. We are always upgrading our capabilities. If you do
not see the format you need converted, check with us. As of June 2010 we convert the
following formats:

VHS, S-VHS, VHS-C (both NTCS and PAL)
8mm, Hi8mm, Digital 8mm
Betamax, SuperBeta, Beta ED
Betacam, Betacam SP (decks equipped with SD output card option)
3/4" U-matic, 3/4" U-matic SP
1" Type-C open reel format
D-2
Mini-DV (both NTSC and PAL)
DVCAM (including full sized cassettes, both NTSC and PAL)
DVC-PRO25 (both NTSC and PAL)

Professional tape cleaning, treatment and baking services available

Media Transfer Service, LLC. Rochester, NY . Phone: 585-248-4908 . Email: mtsinfo@rochester.rr.com