FAQ Videotape VHS Transfer Converting VHS to DVD Media

WHY TRANSFER A VHS OR 8MM TAPE TO DVD?
Tapes deteriorate over time. Image your wedding video or your child's first steps unplayable 15 years from now.

Added chapter points and menus allow easy navigation throughout the video. Skip to the highlights of that boring 6 hour video, which has now become fun to watch!

Makes a great gift.

It's cheap. Check prices.

CAN I GET A QUOTE WITHOUT ORDERING?
Absolutely, just email us.

CAN YOU MAKE A COMPILATION DVD?
We can make a compilation DVD from multiple sources, including any combination of VHS and 8MM. The price is the same as individual DVDs created from each source tape or reel.

WILL YOU RESPECT MY PRIVACY?
Your personal information, including your e-mail address, is never sold or distributed.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
We're a pretty small operation, so our work load and the size of your project usually dictates how long the process takes. A typical project takes a week, plus another few days to ship.

WHAT IF MY TAPE IS DAMAGED DURING SHIPMENT?
Masters Audio Video, LLC is not liable for video tapes lost or damaged during shipping, so pack them very carefully, or better yet have them professionally packaged. Be sure to ship with insurance and delivery confirmation. We take very good care of your tapes, and we carefully pack them for return shipment. We've never had project shipment get damaged. For more information on shipping, click here.

Media Transfer Convert Conversion VHS to DVD 8mm Video Tape Cassette Albums to CD

MEDIA CONVERSION AND TRANSFER SERVICE

CONVERT VHS OR 8MM VIDEO TAPE AND RECORD ALBUMS TO DVD and CD
Mail Us Your 8mm Tape or Reels, VHS-C, VHS, LP's, 45's, or Cassette Tapes

Masters Audio Video, LLC

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT KIND OF VIDEO QUALITY CAN I EXPECT?
For a VHS or 8MM tape, the quality will be about the same as the original source. Transferring to DVD does not magically improve the quality of the sound and video on the original source tape. DVD resolution is 720x480pixels, and VHS resolution is 352x240 pixels. There is no way to improve the resolution of the original source tape.

HOW MUCH VIDEO WILL FIT ON ONE DVD?
Approximately 2 hours of video will fit on a single DVD, while maintaining the original quality of the source. Using "video compression" techniques, we can fit up to 6 hours of video on a single DVD, but the quality of the video will be slightly degraded. This degredation is more noticable for videos that contain significant movement or action (such as a kid's soccer game). An alternative solution is to split the video into two or three DVDs.

CAN I DELIVER AND PICK UP MY ORDER TO AVOID SHIPPING COSTS?
Sort of. If you have a cherished video or audio recording that you would rather not ship, we can arrange for you to drop it off. We charge a drop off fee of $20, so this method usually won't save money. Please email us to set up an appointment.

IS IT LEGAL?
Absolutely. Making copies of copyrighted video material is covered under the Fair Use provisions in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law. As long as you own the video material, and you don't plan on selling the resulting DVD, it's perfectly legal. It's also legal for a 3rd party (like us) to make the conversion for you. In 1984 the Supreme Court held that time-shifting (for example, private, non-commercial home taping of television programs with a VCR to permit later viewing) and archiving (making a backup copy of a VHS tape you purchased) is fair use. (Ref. Sony Corporation of America v. Universal City Studios, 464 U.S. 417 (1984, S.C.). For more information on the Fair Use provisions of US Copyright law, visit the Stanford University Law Fair Use Resource page here.