FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Video transfer.
Why encode video files?
What formats do you offer?

How is it done?
Can you improve video and audio quality?

How long will this process take?
How do I get my original video files to you?
What kind of guarantee do you provide?
How do you arrive at the cost of transfers?


Shipping FAQ
Ship to Address ?
Who pays?

Q: Why encode video files?

Encoding video (sometimes referred to as "streaming") provides a smaller file size to be used in many applications such as websites, Power Point & Producer presentations and movie files.

Back to top

Q: What formats do you offer?

We encode to Windows media - .wmv, Mpeg1 - .mpg & Mp3 (Audio)

Back to top

Q: Can you improve video and audio quality?

A: Occasionally. Most transfers are copied directly from the source. Video and audio are generally recorded within the proper specifications and do not require additional adjustments. If the quality of the video/audio signal is lower than than standard requirements we can make the following adjustments*: For VIDEO; tracking, brightness, contrast, color, tint and video sharpness, for AUDIO; sound level, de- noising and equalization. We can usually eliminate a high percentage of poor video signal and audio surface noise, but there are limitations depending on how severe the damage is to the original source. Please check out the samples page to see and hear what type of results you can expect.
* There is an extra charge to enhance poor quality source tapes.

Back to top

Q: How long will this process take?

A: On average about 2 to 5 business days from the day we receive your tapes/DVDs/CDs, plus the time it takes for your shipment to get back to you. We cannot guarantee a specific time frame as there are many variables to consider, so your patience is appreciated!

Back to top

Q: How do I get my Tapes/DVDs/CDs to you?

A: Ship your tapes to our mailing address in southern California. If you live in the area you may visit our Outlet Center to drop off and pick up your projects; Monday - Friday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm PST and on Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. To visit our studio, please call for an appointment at 949-495-2016.

Back to top

Q: What kind of guarantee do you provide?

A: We guarantee the highest quality possible transferred from your source format. If you are wary about the process just send us one or two video files and check out the results. We are very confident that you'll be more than satisfied with the results.

Back to top

Q: What about creating separate titles when transferring?

A: Yes, we can separate any sections of your original footage into individual titles. This, however, requires editing and is billed @ $90hr. (1/2hr. increments). Call us for additional info at 949-495-2016.

Back to top

Q: How do you arrive at the cost of transfers?

A: The short answer is, that in order to encode to any format it has to be done in "real time". Meaning if a video tape takes 55 minutes to play, it will take 55 minutes to record, add to that any additional time to process it for video signal improvement or noise removal and finally to burn it to CD. This makes for a very "time intensive" or "computer labor intensive" process. Our prices are based upon the length of your footage to be transferred.

Back to top

SHIPPING FAQ (Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Shipping)

Our Shipping Address is:

Coliday
30262 Crown Valley Parkway #C
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677


We are located in southern California, approximately 40 miles south of Disneyland, and about 10 miles north of the beautiful mission in San Juan Capistrano. If you live in the Orange County area and wish to arrange drop-off or pick-up of your order, please contact us.
International Customers: We will use your choice of carrier to return ship your order, without any surcharges, for questions please contact us.

IMPORTANT! Please don't forget to include in the package your name, e-mail address and phone number and the return ship address.

Back to top

Q: Who pays?


A: You, the customer, are responsible for all related shipping costs. We use USPS Priority Mail as our standard shipping provider.

When using a shipping service such as Priority Mail, UPS, Fed Ex, USPS or other carrier, remember the Golden Rule of Shipping: Pack your shipment just like you would want it packed and shipped to you. In our effort to keep prices low we will in most cases use your same packaging to return your order to you. In this circumstance, less is not more, MORE is more, and even more is better. The more material you use to insulate your tapes etc. from getting damaged the better. We recommend a couple different methods....


1) Bubble Wrap, use two (or more) sheets of inexpensive bubble wrap approximately 13-14 inches wide and wrap your tapes first in one direction and then 90 degrees the other direction so that they crisscross each other. Place them in a sturdy corrugated cardboard box they fit snugly in to prevent jostling.

2) Peanuts, we DO NOT recommend the use of styrofoam peanuts unless used in conjunction with the bubble wrap method described above and even then only as filler on the top and bottom.

Larger Shipments

For shipments of larger quantities (25 or more) we recommend the use of a professional shipper (Fed Ex, UPS, etc.) We suggest dividing your shipment into smaller more manageable sized packages to possibly keep the shipping cost down.

Back to top

Q: How is it done?

You send your original recording to us on any of the following formats: Hi-8, 8mm, Mini-DV, Digital8, VHS or S-VHS tapes as well as high resolution AVI, MPEG or QuickTime formats for stand-alone presentations on your PC or Mac. For other formats such as Beta Sp, Digi Beta, old movie film, etc. please call for additional information at 949-495-2016.

List the service you desire (please use the order form) such as transfer to windows media at 150k. We will transfer your original into the new format.

Each order takes approximately one week depending on the size of the order.

Once your encoded file is created we will return it along with your original recordings.

We welcome your comments once you have received the finished product so that we may continue to provide a useful and successful service to you.

Back to top