TRANSFER QUESTIONS
What formats can you convert to DVD?
Can you transfer reels of film?
How much video fits on one DVD?
What if my tape is 2:05? Can we put just a little more than 2 hours on the DVD?
My tape has 6 hours of video on it. How much that does cost to transfer?
What if my tape is less than 1 hour? Is there a discount?
Can just part of my tape be transferred instead of the whole thing?
Can I combine multiple tapes onto one DVD?
Can I dub my tape onto another videotape, and send the dubbed copy to be transferred instead?

TAPE PROBLEMS
I have many tapes but don't know what's on them. How do I place an order?
Will I be charged if my tape turns out to be blank?
My tape is degrading, with tracking problems and distortion. Will transferring it to DVD fix these problems?
Will my video look better after it is transferred to DVD quality?
Can you fix a broken tape?
Is editing included in the price for home video preservation?
Can you edit out dead spots of tape?
Can you edit out unfocused or shaky footage?

FORMAT QUESTIONS
When you transfer VHS-C to DVD, how do you know if my tape is a half-hour or longer?
Timeless DVD can convert Video8 to DVD. Is that the same as 8mm?
I've heard when you transfer Hi8 to DVD, there can be playback problems. Why is this?
Can you copy Digital8 to DVD? A lot of video conversion companies don't mention it.
I have a whole bunch of MiniDVD discs. Can you convert MiniDVD to DVD, onto one full-size disc?

OTHER QUESTIONS
What is the turnaround time?
Do you do rush orders for DVD transfers?
Why should I choose Timeless DVD to transfer home video to DVD?
Can't I just transfer old home movies to DVD myself?
Why shouldn't I use one of those video conversion companies that only charge $10?
How do I ship my videotapes safely?
Is it safe to send my videotapes and get them back in the same condition?
Do you watch my video as it's being transferred to DVD?
Will the transfer hurt my tape?
Will my DVD have chapter stops?
Will my DVD have a Scene Selection menu?
How do I tell you where I want my custom chapter stops to be?
I don't have a working video camera to watch my tape. How do I know where to put custom chapter stops?
Is there a rewind fee?
Can my tape be transferred to another videotape instead of DVD?
Do you transfer copyrighted material to DVD?
Do you transfer adult material?
Will my DVD be in stereo?
Will my DVD be widescreen?
Can you add title screens to my video?
Can I add more video to my DVD later?
Can I edit video from my DVD on my PC?
Can you convert a PAL videotape to an NTSC DVD?

For questions about copies, payments, shipping, packaging, compatibility issues, and more,
please visit our general FAQ page.

TRANSFER QUESTIONS

What formats can you convert to DVD?
We transfer VHS and S-VHS, VHS-C and S-VHS-C, Betamax, Video8, Hi8, Digital8, MiniDV, DV, DVCam, and MiniDVD. In other words, we transfer most consumer video formats of the past thirty years. We do not transfer reels of film, such as 8mm, Super8, or 16mm. Please note that we convert Video8 to DVD, which is sometimes called "8mm," but this is a videotape format, not 8mm film. We also do not transfer professional videotape formats, such as DVCPro, HDV, Betacam, or U-matic.

Can you transfer reels of film?
No, we do not transfer 8mm, Super8 or 16mm film. However, we can recommend an excellent company that can, so just ask. In addition, we can set music of your choice to silent film that has already been transferred to DVD or videotape. We call this service "Video Transfer–Music Editing," and you can find information about it within our regular transfer pages.

How much video fits on one DVD?
We can transfer up to 2 hours of video onto a DVD. While it is technically possible to transfer more than 2 hours, the video quality is greatly reduced as a result. We do not offer this, because we want the video on your DVD to look as good as possible! Keep in mind that due to various recording speeds, the length of the recorded material on a tape will vary. For instance, when we transfer VHS-C to DVD, we always check first to see if the tape runs 30 or 90 minutes.

What if my tape is 2:05? Can we put just a little more than 2 hours on the DVD?
We can try. When we transfer a videotape, we always check first to see how long it really is. Since we use VBR encoding to transfer your DVD, we can usually squeeze up to 10 minutes extra onto the DVD with no discernible loss in quality. However, for videotapes that are longer than 2:05 or so, we advise that you purchase our "Overflow DVD disc" for the rest of your footage. The cost of the second disc is only half-price, and we include a free double DVD case.

My tape has 6 hours of video on it. How much that does cost to transfer?
Our "Overflow DVD disc" option was made for this! We can transfer your six hours of video to three DVD discs, and include a special 3-disc case to hold everything. The price is $40 for the first 2-hour transfer and then $20 for each additional disc – making a total of only $80 for all three discs and a special case.

Alternately, you could also choose to have a separate DVD disc and regular DVD case for each 2-hour section. Additional charges apply in this situation; please contact us for more details.

What if my tape is less than 1 hour? Is there a discount?
No, we offer the same price for any amount of video up to 2 hours. However, the shorter your videotape is, the higher the quality of the DVD will be, since we are able to adjust the video quality per the length of video.

Can just part of my tape be transferred instead of the whole thing?
Yes. We can transfer any part of your tape. On your order form, please mark the "Start" and "Stop" times for the section you want to use, and that's all we'll transfer.

Can I combine multiple tapes onto one DVD?
Yes, of course! Each additional tape you wish to add to the DVD is $10 on top of the $40 transfer fee. So if you would want to combine 3 videotapes onto a single DVD, the cost would be $40+$10+$10=$60. Please keep in mind that the total length of your tapes must not exceed 2 hours.

Can I dub my tape onto another videotape, and send the dubbed copy to be transferred instead?
No, we discourage this. It is always better to transfer the most original, "master" copy of a video. This will provide the clearest, sharpest, most colorful DVD for you. A dubbed tape always has poorer quality than the original – and that's not really the version you want to preserve for posterity, do you? We understand that some customers may want to do this because of mailing concerns. But we have never lost a videotape using trackable carriers, which is how we emphasize sending materials. However, if you can dub your tape, you might want to do that, but keep the dub and send us the original for the transfer. That way, in the remote chance your original is lost, you will still have your video.

TAPE PROBLEMS

I have many tapes but don't know what's on them. How do I place an order?
Don't worry! We often receive boxes of mystery videotapes to transfer, usually from customers whose video cameras are broken. While it's always helpful for you to fill out the order form as completely as possible, we understand that these situations happen. First, what we do is play your tapes to see what's on them and how long they are. Then we will advise you as to the scope of the project, how many DVDs are needed, and the cost. You can decide how you wish to proceed. We will then require payment before we actually transfer the tapes. Keep in mind that this additional work does extend the turnaround time for your project, since we first need to spend time assessing your tapes' length.

Will I be charged if my tape turns out to be blank?
No, we do not charge for completely blank tapes that have no video on them to transfer.

My tape is degrading, with tracking problems and distortion. Will transferring it to DVD fix these problems?
It depends. While we can't greatly improve the quality of your video or clear up every problem, we can fix many errors using our professional equipment. For instance, our time-base corrector can remove tracking errors, our digital noise reduction can reduce flickering, and our processing amplifier can boost color in faded pictures. Plus, we work with clean, professional videotape decks, which often clear up some of the problems you might be seeing on your home VCR or camcorder. However: we cannot salvage a picture that isn't there anymore. If your video is in a questionable state already and you're worried about it, then it's absolutely time to transfer it to DVD before it's gone forever.

Will my video look better after it is transferred to DVD quality?
No. The DVD will match the video quality of your tape. It may be improved slightly by our professional transferring equipment, but the simple fact is that the DVD will look as good as the original tape. The appearance of the video also depends on the quality of the television and DVD player on which is it played. Remember, videotape is an extremely flawed medium, and while we always do the best work we can, no transfer or videotape is perfect.

Can you fix a broken tape?
No, we do not provide repair services for broken tapes, so please do not send any tapes that you know are broken. If we receive a broken tape, we will either return it to you or, with your permission, take it to a local repair service at an additional cost.

Is editing included in the price for home video preservation?
We do not edit out sections of your video unless you have instructed us to set specific start and stop times for a videotape. We also do not shuffle sections of video to create a different order. We transfer your video footage, intact, as it appears on the tape. If you would like a specific editing job to be done, please contact us ahead of time for a special quote.

Can you edit out dead spots of tape?
We trim out the video "junk" or blank tape that can appear throughout your video footage. This provides a cleaner cut for your DVD. There is no extra charge for this service.

Can you edit out unfocused or shaky footage?
We transfer all footage, including shaky and unfocused camera work. Many customers find value in imperfect footage, especially if it's the only video you have of a long-lost relative or if important dialogue can be heard in the background.

FORMAT QUESTIONS

When you transfer VHS-C to DVD, how do you know if my tape is a half-hour or longer?
Depending on the speed at which it was recorded, a VHS-C tape can hold anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. If you don't know how long your tape is, just mark "unknown" on your order form. When receive your project, we will check on the length first and let you know.

Timeless DVD can convert Video8 to DVD. Is that the same as 8mm?
No, they are not the same thing. The videotape format that was released for consumer use in the mid-1980s was formally called Video8. It was nicknamed "8mm" because that's the width of the plastic tape. However, it is not the same as the old reel-to-reel 8mm film format. We convert Video8 to DVD (the videotape), but not old 8mm film.

I've heard when you transfer Hi8 to DVD, there can be playback problems. Why is this?
Hi8 tapes (and Video8 too) can have playback trouble. Unfortunately, it is very easy for a Hi8 or Video8 camcorder to slip out of "head alignment." When a camcorder's heads shift out of alignment, it records video that is playable as long as the camcorder's heads remain misaligned. But if the camcorder is re-aligned, or the tapes are played back in a different camcorder, both the video and audio can be extremely choppy. The only solution to play back these misaligned tapes correctly is to use another Hi8 or Video8 machine that is also misaligned – and moreover, misaligned to the same degree! Luckily, we have not often encountered this error, but it can happen when we transfer Hi8 to DVD.

Can you copy Digital8 to DVD? A lot of video conversion companies don't mention it.
Yes, we handle Digital8 conversion to DVD. Granted, Digital8 was never as popular as some recording formats, but it remains an inexpensive digital alternative, and provides a surprisingly sharp picture that definitely rivals MiniDV in quality.

I have a whole bunch of MiniDVD discs. Can you convert MiniDVD to DVD, onto one full-size disc?
MiniDVD camcorder discs are very convenient. However, because of their small size, they cannot be played in some DVD players or in "slot-loading" DVD drives (such as on many notebook computers). We can compile all those half-hour discs into one or a few regular-size DVDs. It's the one format type we convert that is not videotape!

OTHER QUESTIONS

What is the turnaround time?
Normal turnaround time to transfer home video to DVD is 1–2 weeks. If your project is complex and requires multiple DVD discs, or you have a large number of videotapes to transfer, turnaround is closer to 2–3 weeks. Turnaround is 2–3 weeks for Transfer–Music Editing projects. Furthermore, turnaround time depends on the complexity of your order, our current workload, and the time of the year (we are busier in May/June for weddings and graduations, and November/December for the holidays).

Turnaround time is also longer if we need to assess the length of your videotapes first and provide an invoice prior to production.

Do you do rush orders for DVD transfers?
We offer rush services with conditions and additional fees. We require this because our production schedule must be rearranged in order to accommodate a rush order. We consider a rush order to be a video transfer that is needed within 1 week or less. A DVD Video Transfer that includes one or two videotapes being transferred to one finished disc can be completed within 1 week for a 20% rush fee in addition to the total cost. For more complex projects and Music Editing projects, please contact us with your needs and we will advise as to what timeframe is possible. Please note that our capacity to accept rush orders always depends on our current workload of project commitments to existing customers.

Why should I choose Timeless DVD to transfer home video to DVD?
For a few reasons! First, and most important, we honestly care about your videotapes. We have treasured home videos of our own, and we realize how important they are. We treat your videos as carefully as we would our own.

Secondly, we only use professional-grade video equipment for our professional video conversion. This equipment includes a time-base corrector, processing amplifier, and a detailer, all of which allow us to improve your video picture as much as possible. In addition, we use clean, professional video decks and DVD authoring equipment. When we transfer your video, we custom-adjust the encoding bitrate in order to transfer the exact length of your videotape in the best quality possible. All of these processes ensure that your videotape will be transferred in top DVD quality.

Finally, we offer a wide range of options for DVD packaging. A main menu, full-color DVD cover, full-color printed disc, and professional DVD case are included with every order. We even add a photo of your choice to the packaging design for no extra charge. The blank discs we use are high-quality "WaterShield" discs, which are water- and scratch-resistant in addition to having a stunning glossy finish. We also offer traditional matte discs of the same caliber.

Of course, there are additional reasons, such as the fact that we do all our work "on premises" in our studio (your tape is never outsourced anywhere); the availability of our Sample Disc, which enables you to see many examples of transfer work we've done for other clients; and our great personal service. You can read more about the reasons to choose Timeless DVD for your project on our 10 Great Reasons page.

Can't I just transfer old home movies to DVD myself?
Of course you can. There are tons of DVD recorders available out there. If you want a quick and easy DVD of your video, that might be the way to go. However, Timeless DVD is offering a different kind of solution, which includes:

Professional equipment: Our DVD transfer process uses professional video equipment, so you are assured that your video is transferred accurately and in the highest quality possible. Most people only have access to the consumer-grade machines that are available in electronics stores, which usually do not provide the best encoding for video preservation.
Time: You simply may not have time or the patience to learn how a DVD recorder works, combine your tapes efficiently onto DVDs, or spend the time transferring a large collection.
VCR/camcorder problems: Many people do not have working VCRs or camcorders that can play their home videos anymore, or it would require a significant amount of money to repair their machines. We can handle tapes that many people can't at home anymore.
Packaging: Our professional packaging, including color printing, covers, and professional DVD cases, ensure that your finished DVD will be something that you can admire and store for the future. Much better than a paper sleeve!
Copies: It's easy to order additional copies of your video for family and friends with our DVDs. At home, you may run into compatibility issues between your DVD recorder and computer, or not have a way to make copies at all.

Consider all of these factors when you ponder whether to transfer your videotape yourself or work with Timeless DVD on a professional solution. We've found that these are the most common reasons why our customers choose Timeless DVD rather than transfer a video themselves.

Why shouldn't I use one of those video conversion companies that only charge $10?
DVD transfer prices vary widely, but please remember that you get what you pay for. We have examined a number of DVD transfer companies that charge around $10–$20, and here is what we have found:

– They don't use professional video processing equipment, such as a time-base corrector or proc amp. That means that your video will not receive any kind of special processing to improve its quality.
– Many churn out transfers in a completely automated and impersonal way, with no quality control. In fact, some companies even state that their transfer process is "entirely automated!" This just means that NO ONE is taking the time or interest to monitor the quality of your transfer. These companies automate transfers so they can process hundreds of tapes and make as much money as possible. We would rather "do the job right."
– Some will not handle lesser-known formats, such as Betamax. For example, many do not copy Digital8 to DVD or convert MiniDVD to DVD discs.
– Most limit your transfer to one source tape only (no additional tapes combined to the same DVD).
– Many offer few packaging options. Most do not even include a real DVD case.
– Most are larger companies where your tape is one of thousands. There is little personal service offered.
– And finally – and scariest: Many of these companies send your tape overseas to be transferred! That is the dirty little secret of how they can keep their prices so low, and they will not admit it readily.

Don't be fooled by a bargain-basement price for a transfer – there's a reason these companies offer a rock-bottom price. Be cautious of a price that's too good to be true. Accept only the best when dealing with your precious memories! Timeless DVD offers a fair price for excellent work. And while we believe we offer a superior service, our prices are in line with reputable competitors. If you are considering using a discount DVD transfer service, ask yourself: "Is my home video really only worth $10 to me?"

How do I ship my videotapes safely?
We advise using two safeguards: padded packaging and trackable carriers. Make sure to pack your videotapes as carefully as possible to avoid any damage during shipping. We recommend first placing your tapes in a Ziploc plastic bag to seal out moisture. Then, wrap your tapes with bubble wrap before putting them in your envelope or box. If bubble wrap is not an option, use a padded, reinforced envelope or sturdy box. These steps add an extra buffer of protection for your tape.

Secondly, we strongly recommend sending your package via a trackable shipping carrier such as UPS, FedEx, or USPS with tracking service. We have never lost a package this way!

As a final step of protection, the order address indicated on our order forms is for our private mailbox. The mailbox is located in a temperature-controlled facility where it can be signed for. That means you can require signature confirmation if you wish, and your package is never sitting outside in cold or hot temperatures. This is an extra measure of service we offer to protect your valuable materials.

Is it safe to send my videotapes and get them back in the same condition?
We understand this concern. There is always a risk in sending anything in the mail. However, we have never had any videotapes damaged or lost when using a trackable carrier. This is why we advise using a company like UPS or FedEx, and why we recommend carefully packing your videos in Ziploc bags and bubble wrap.

We know how irreplaceable your tapes are, so when we receive them, we treat them as if they are our own. We leave them in your packaging until it's time to transfer them. After they are finished, we return them to your original packaging. They are not removed again unless we need to redo your transfer. Then they are shipped back to you in the exact same packaging they arrived in, in addition to any bubble wrap we add to the finished-DVD box. Original labels remain on your tapes as well. We ensure they will receive careful handling in our studio and beyond.

However, while we guarantee the utmost care in handling your videotapes, we cannot guarantee the physical condition of your videotape. Some tapes are brittle from age or being improperly stored in humid basements or attics. When our videotape machines accept these videotapes, there is a remote possibility that the tape may break or get caught in our machines. Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent this occurrence or guarantee that it won't happen. We do our best to avoid these problems by ensuring that our machines are clean and by inserting tapes as carefully as possible. If you believe your videotape may be at risk for these problems, please advise us ahead of time.

If you live locally and really don't want to send your materials, please contact us to take advantage of our free pickup service for Philadelphia-area projects.

Do you watch my video as it's being transferred to DVD?
Yes. We can only verify that your videotape is being transferred correctly if we keep an eye on it! Our trained technicians personally watch every frame and every second of your transfer to assure the best results every time. By watching your video as it transfers, we can watch for any jitter, tracking problems, bad contrast, or color issues.

It baffles us that some transfer companies freely advertise that their transfer process is completely automated and that no one watches the tape as it transfers. This means that NO ONE is taking the time or interest to monitor the quality of your transfer. These companies automate transfers so they can churn out hundreds of tapes and make as much money as possible. We would rather "do the job right." If you are concerned that your DVD transfer will be high quality and free from errors, make sure you are using a transfer company that monitors its work.

Will the transfer hurt my tape?
Most likely, no. Our home video preservation is very safe. We are extremely careful with all tapes we receive, and we keep our equipment in top condition to avoid any problems. The only times we have had trouble is with tapes that are very old and brittle, which can break when inserted into a VCR. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict when this will happen. It depends on the age of the tape and how well it has been stored. But we have not had any problems with tapes that are less than 20 years old and which have been stored in a relatively stable temperature over the years.

Will my DVD have chapter stops?
Yes. Every transfer comes with chapter stops every 5 minutes.

Will my DVD have a Scene Selection menu?
A Scene Selection menu is an additional $20, and includes up to 8 custom chapter stops that you select.

How do I tell you where I want my custom chapter stops to be?
On the order form, we provide a section for you to list your chapter titles and the times on the videotape where they're located. If you want to have more than the 12 chapters listed on the form, just use additional paper to add as many chapters as you like. If you prefer, you may also write chapter instructions on a piece of paper in your own words, such as: "At around 23:45 on the tape, Hannah's basketball game begins – that should be chapter 5."

I don't have a working video camera to watch my tape. How do I know where to put custom chapter stops?
Unfortunately, there's no exact answer to this question. One option: we can make an initial DVD, which you can watch and then select times for your chapters. Then we can create a second "final" DVD with the correct chapters in place. However, this process will incur an additional fee above our transfer price.

If you know the general content of the videotape, there is a second option. For example, if the videotape is of your wedding, you can tell us to put chapters at the ceremony, photos, wedding party entrance, first dance, etc. We will then use our best judgment in selecting chapters for these sections when we create the DVD.

But if you don't know the content of your video and you don't want to pay the additional cost of a DVD revision, then we recommend you forego custom chapter stops.

Is there a rewind fee?
No. We do suggest that you keep your tapes rewound, as this is the best way to preserve videotapes. But we understand that sometimes customers no longer have a working camcorder or a way to rewind their tapes. So it is not required.

Can my tape be transferred to another videotape instead of DVD?
Yes. We can transfer videotape to a MiniDV (or similar format) instead of a DVD, for the same transfer cost.

Do you transfer copyrighted material to DVD?
Yes, with conditions. If you own a videotape that you purchased, you are entitled to make one backup copy as long as you are keeping the copy for your own personal use. This is similar to how it is legal for you to rip a song from a CD that you purchased for use on your iPod. We are simply providing a service that allows you to accomplish this. If this is a service you require, you must sign our copyright waiver form and include it with your order. Please note that we are limited to making only one copy of your transferred DVD, and it absolutely must be only for your personal use.

Do you transfer adult material?
No. If your tape is found to contain either partial or full nudity, adult content, or pornography, it will be returned to you without being transferred and your payment refunded less the shipping and handling.

Will my DVD be in stereo?
If the audio of your original tape was in stereo, the DVD will be in stereo.

Will my DVD be widescreen?
No. Most family video has been shot in the 3:4 aspect ratio, the traditional dimensions of a TV. We transfer camcorder video at the same ratio in which it was filmed.

Can you add title screens to my video?
Yes. Indicate titles on the DVD Video Transfer order form by telling us the time on the tape at which they should occur or describe the video that follows them.

Can I add more video to my DVD later?
Yes. However, we will charge for an additional video transfer, since more footage will need to be transferred and a new DVD disc will need to be created.

Can I edit video from my DVD on my PC?
If you have experience working with digital video and video software, the answer is yes. But the process is not straightforward and simple for non–tech-savvy people. Because it is compressed, the DVD format is designed to be watched, not edited, and so we do not recommend editing DVD video. However, in truth, DVD video CAN be extracted from your DVD and edited in limited ways. If you are interested in this, there is software that can extract MPEG-2 files from your disc, which can then be edited with additional software. Check out the website www.videohelp.com for assistance.

Can you convert a PAL videotape to an NTSC DVD?
No. At this time, we do not transfer PAL or SECAM videotapes to DVD. In the future, we plan to consider offering this service.