Video Tape to DVD Transfer

Until recently copying video tapes to DVD's was not practical. Now with the emergence of the DVD writers, it is possible to transfer your video tapes to DVD (or CD) reliably and economically. Even if you currently don't own a DVD player, burner or computer, you should transfer your video taped movies to a safe media now, before it's too late.

A transfer to DVD is recommended as it preserves the best digital quality and can be copied again and again without any loss of quality.
Importantly, you will want to be able to view your movies in the years to come and the DVD is going to be around for a long time.
Our systems use the latest technology that automates the copying task, without the use of PCs and other devices that take considerable setting up and twice or more time than our systems.
That is why we can preserve your home videos at a fraction of the price and maintain a higher, professional quality at the same time.

Notes: When we are transferring to VCD we use a VCD recorder - This makes a CD that works on many DVD players BUT whilst the video file is an MPEG file, it does not have an .mpg extended file name and so will not be recognised in a computer as a video file. You will need to, for example in Windows, start the media player and select the file OR copy the file to your hard disc and rename it to have a XXX.mpg file extension so that Windows will understand what file type it is.
We also offer additional services including titling, packaging/presentation, conversion to and from other video formats including NTSC and SECAM - Call to discuss your needs.
Any transfers are only accepted with the PCX order form which covers issues of copyright and quality.

Protect your home videos now! "Video tape has a life span of anywhere from 5 to 15 years. Your tapes will last a little longer if they are regularly "exercised" to prevent magnetic signals from "bleeding" from one strand of tape to another. A tape can be exercised by playing it or by simply fast-forwarding and rewinding the tape. Those wanting to preserve the contents of a tape should copy the tape at least every five years". Corey Greenberg - NBC TODAY Show December 26th 2000

Film to DVD Transfer

PCX has a great deal of experience in transfer of film, having processed thousands of hours. Particular care is taken with the film, the results have been applauded by our customers.
Transfer from Regular / Standard 8mm, Super 8 and 16mm film to electronic media is available.
Film transfers are priced in two sections, firstly there is a per minute charge for the film and secondly there is a media charge.

Pricing Examples

	Example 1	Example 2	Example 3 (Scan)
Setup Fee	$30
Reels	20 x 50ft (small)	2 x 250ft	2 x 250ft
Film Duration	80 minutes	40 minutes	40 minutes
Transfer Price	80 minutes at $2.00 = $160	40 x 2 = $80	40 x 3 = $120
Select one output from the following:
DVD (per disc) (includes DVD case & titling)	$30.00
or MiniDV tape (per 60 min tape)	$20.00	$10.00
or Hard Disc (USB drive)*			$99.00
Total Cost (inc GST)	$. . . . . .	$. . . . . .	$. . . . . .
Note: *We provide a new external hard disc containing your video in digital form: 720 x 576 pixels 25fps. Normally with will be AVI (13 GB per hour), but can be QuickTime if required.

Super 8 film scanning
If you want THE BEST POSSIBLE transfer quality for Super8 film, we also offer a scanning service where each frame is scanned, rather than transfered visually. This process is more complex and so costs are different. We also offer a USB Hard disc output option.
The transfer cost is $3.00 per minute, with the normal setup charge

All services performed first require you complete our Order Form

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How can I tell what kind of film I have?
The width and sprocket holes should be helpful, also super 8 comes (mostly) on reels that have a larger centre hole as compared to standard 8:

How can I calculate what duration of film I have?
For 8mm film here is a guide, but you need to understand that is is possible to have recorded the film at 16, 18 or 24 frames per second so this time should be considered a good guess, but not precise.

Film Duration

Reel Diameter Inches(mm)	Length Feet (Metres)	Duration - minutes
3" (76mm)	50' (15.4m)	4min
5" (127mm)	200' (61.5m)	15min
7" (178mm)	400' (123m)	30min

How do I get the film transferred in the correct order?
Simply number each reel 1, 2, 3 etc

What about titling on the DVD?
For each reel provided there is a separate title, this means that when you play the DVD the menu at the start allows you to choose which reel to play. If you have provided a short title for each reel, these will be entered as the title.

What do I need to do if I want to send my film to you?
To get the best outcomes are where you can provide a sequence number for each reel of film and in the case where you want to go to DVD have short titles for each reel.
Additionally we need you to agree to our service terms which are on our order form. (you would fill this in here if you are dropping your film in).
If you are sending your film in, we would suggest using a service that requires a signature for example Parcel Post Registered. Where you require us to ship the completed transfer back to you, there will be additional shipping & handling charges.

Check out our frequently asked questions.
All services performed first require you complete our Order Form which covers our terms and conditions as well as detailing the work you require.

Audio to Audio CD Transfer

PCX conducts transfers from audio cassette and audio record to CD. The process starts at approximately $30.00 per CD and usually takes around 3 days depending upon the queue.
Audio CD-Rs are playable in most Audio CD players, one track per input tape or input tape side.
Please label all cassette tapes and sides well, keeping on mind that we will do 'side A' first.
PCX does not split tracks or edit the audio transfer, however, if this is required we can put you in contact with someone suitable.

Slide and Photo Scanning

This process converts photos, slides, negatives or other printed pages into digital image files. Depending on the input form there is large variation in the labour required and therefore the cost. The following provides our standard approach to a variety of scanning. While variations on these are possible, the charges for these need to be quoted on an individual task basis. In essence we are often to provide a basic conversion to digital form, so that any remaining work is performed by the customer. This approach is often ideal to get the part done that requires specialised equipment and allowing the more creative processes for the customer.

35mm mounted Colour transparencies - provided in the physical order for scanning. If you want odd slides scanned, they must be provided to us consecutively in some kind of slide box or the like. PCX will orient all slides to landscape for processing through our scanner. The slides will be returned to the original container in the original order but will remain in landscape. The scanning covers approximately 38mm x 26mm so that there is a black border around the image. The scanning is performed at 2400 dpi and the output file is JPEG. Typical image file size is determined by the amount of detail in the picture, but is typically about 800Kb per image. No cropping, colour correction or touching up is performed, simply the images are recorded onto a CD-R with a file name that indicates it's sequence number.

Print/photograph scanning - We can scan up to A4 in size, scanning is performed at 300 dpi for pages over A5 in size, and at 600 dpi for smaller photos - in practice this will yield quite good prints in double the size for smaller prints and the same size for larger.

Levels of Service - There are two level of service with scanning, normal and standby. The standby service offers a saving in costs but as we simply fill in vacant time with your job it will take a longer elapsed time to complete your work. Normally work is performed on a first come first served basis, however standby jobs not be serviced in this queue. The following table shows the charges for the no-frills scanning.

Scale of fees: Whether you are planning to archive your photos or want to work with your slides on your computer or DVD, then you need to get them transferred to an electronic form. The process of transferring images to image files is called scanning. Scanning can be performed at varying levels of detail. The more detail the better the quality, but also the larger the image file becomes. PCX scans images in the form of photographic prints (up to A4 - 8" x 11.5"), negatives up to 120mm x 60mm (4" x 5"), 35mm strips, and mounted 35mm slides and APS and 35mm film rolls. Minimum fee for slides is $25 per job GST inclusive.

Order Form - Transfers

All services performed require you complete our Transfers Order Form