Videotape Conversion

First, some important thoughts on conversion of videotape to DVD...
The common assumption made by most people is that DVD disk media, video conversion
equipment and methods are all basically the same. From small startup companies with little
or no experience to national discount retail and pharmacy chains, even companies that offer
"all-in-one" units that a consumer can buy, there are more and more options to convert
videotape to DVD. The sad fact is, we receive more calls every month from people
experiencing problems with their DVD's, after doing their own conversion, trusting a "discount"
chain or an inexperienced company to do a proper conversion. Issues range from generally
poor conversion quality, mild to moderate disk errors (skipping or hesitation during playback),
to severe issues including disks that lock up or don't play at all after only a year or two. If a
disk has been physically damaged, the average client never had a backup disk made and their
video is lost. 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.

Did you know that your videotape is actually erasing itself?
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 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 formats. As of
spring 2008, JVC stopped making the last professional VHS player/recorder and Sony will
shortly stop making the last 8mm video format player/recorders.

Today's technology means longer lifespan, greater convenience, and more use.
Digital video disk (DVD) is not affected by a magnetic source and will not wear with use if
handled properly. If the right disk media is properly burned, labeled and stored according to
accepted professional practices, DVD media has a conservative estimated lifespan of 20+
years. DVD is a practical choice to store both your family video and corporate reference video
for easy viewing. For media library archiving, digital media file is a popular archival format
offering easy access, higher quality formats for editing and restoration, quick and easy
migration to future technology and sharing 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:
Most outside conversion companies, corporate in-house services or do-it-yourselfers do not
have the equipment or resources to convert video and audio properly. At MTS, we use the best
equipment available, insuring our corporate clients get professional results while consumer
clients receive the benefit of the same equipment used for corporate work. The MTS process
uses up to eight individual broadcast-quality pieces of equipment. First, house-sync is
supplied to all pieces of equipment in the conversion chain to insure signal stability. From
industrial-grade decks, we calibrate old video signals back to industry standard using
professional video calibration and signal processing units. We can also employ audio signal
processors which correct volume levels, help to equalize low and high volume subjects and
remove unwanted noise (most helpful for videotaped corporate sales meetings, focus groups or
training sessions as well as family video). For digital media file, we employ broadcast quality
analog-to-digital media converters. 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 offer three tiers of videotape conversion,
depending on the original quality of the video, specific client needs and intended end-use.

Knowledge and experience:
At MTS, we have converted thousands of hours of both corporate and consumer media
content. For digital media file, we have the knowledge to recommend the best formats to
convert your media to. For disk media, we have been burning DVD's since the technology first
became available. We have the experience of which manufacturers offer the best media, which
burners and methods provide the least errors and the 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.

Formats:
At MTS, we have the ability to convert most videotape formats to DVD or video file for editing,
archiving, restoration and improvement. Formats include: 3/4" U-matic/SP, Betacam/SP,
Betamax (including Superbeta and Beta ED), VHS, VHS-C, S-VHS, 8mm, Hi-8, Digital 8, Mini
DV, and DVCAM. Other format conversions are available upon request.

Media Transfer Service, LLC. Rochester, NY . Phone: 585-248-4908 . Email: info@mediatransferservice.com