Video Transfer Service – FAQ

How much does it cost to transfer video tapes?

It costs $20 for a DVD disc with up to 2 hours of video. If the tape was recorded in LP or ELP (may contain 4, 6, or even 8 hours) the charge will be $20 x the number of DVDs we produce. For example, a 6 hour tape will require 6 DVDs for the price of $60. Learn more about pricing.

Does your process involve video cleaning?

Yes, our transfer process employs an advanced filtration system that reduces noise, minimizes jitter, and ensures perfect frame synchronization.
Please note: Not every vidoe image can be corrected! Our technicians will contact you to discuss tapes with transfer problems.

How much video fits on a DVD disc?

2 hours at the highest quality. It's possible to squeeze in more at the expense of video quality, but we don't recommend it.

What video tape formats do you accept?

VHS, S-VHS, VHS-C, Betamax, Betacam SP, Video-8, Hi-8, Digital-8, mini-DV, Laserdisc, Digi-beta, 1", and DVC-Pro.

Can I combine multiple video tapes to create a single DVD?

Yes. If you consolidate tapes the overall cost per tape will usually be discounted 20%. For an anusually large number of tapes with short segments, please contact us for a quote.

What is a navigation menu and chapters?

A navigation menu pops up as soon as you insert the DVD disc and also when you press the "menu" button on your remote control. It allows you to advance to any chapter, which is a designated point in the movie (selected by you).

Will I be able to edit the video myself?

You can edit your video by copying the *.VOB files to your hard drive and renaming them to *.MPG. However, if you plan to do any serious editing it is best to use uncompressed files (AVI or Quicktime). We can provide these on mini-DV, DVD-ROM, or better yet an external hard drive. We can also provide full quality digital video files in H.264 and WMV formats.

Will my DVD be compatible with all DVD players?

We use DVD-R format, which is supported by almost all DVD players.

Will anyone watch my videos during transfer?

No, the transfer is done automatically by dedicated equipment. However, we will need to glance through parts of your video for quality control and in order to install certain features.
We transfer any type of content except if illegal.

- Digital Pickle
- (415) 861-4565
- 1256 Folsom St.
- San Francisco, CA 94103

Video Transfer
Film Transfer
Audio Transfer
Photo Scanning
Restoration
DVD Slideshows
Photo Books
Slideshows
GSA Certified

We use dedicated commercial equipment complete with noise reduction and image stabilizationwhen we transfer home movies to DVD. Our process produces exceptional video quality. Digital Pickle can perform professional video editing and DVD authoring to your requirements. We are able to handle high volume video archiving projects and transfer video tapes to DVDs as well as uncompressed video to external hard drives or mini-DVs in AVI, Quicktime, MPEG4 (H.264), and any required proprietary format for editing and archiving.

We Digitize Movie Film – convert film to DVD. We convert 8mm, Super 8mm, and 16mm film using high fidelity digital transfer technology. Our aerial-capture process produces uniform lighting, unmatched clarity, and stunning color depth. Your film is converted to digital video in the form of full quality digital video files and/or a playable DVD disc that is compatible with almost all DVD players.

We digitize and convert records and transfer to CD any audio cassettes, reel-to-reel audio tapes and DAT and output the digital audio noisefiles to high quality audio CDs. Level optimization and track separation are part of our standard service. We also offer audio cleanup services to reduce noise, hiss, and to normalize audio levels for audio cassette to CD transfer. When we convert records the same service is available plus the optional noise reduction service may become very handy.

We scan and digitize photos, slides, and negatives of any format using high-end commercial scanners that produce unmatched image quality. Our expert digital imaging technicians spend time with each individual frame to ensure ideal exposure, focus, color fidelity, cropping, and orientation. We create files suitable for online photo sharing as well as CDs or DVDs with image files and folders.

We can perform digital retouching on any photo or digital image. Image retouching is performed by our expert technicians manually using Adobe Photoshop. Since photo touch up requirements vary greatly, we quote our work on an hourly basis and most projects take much less than an hour. Photo Editing is often requested to remove or add objects or people to an original image resulting in a very different final image. This work is also quoted on an hourly basis for the same reasons as photo touch up.

Digital Pickle specializes in producing spectacular, flicker-free DVD slide shows with interactive features and your selection of music. The final product is a DVD disc that is compatible with almost all DVD players and can be controlled just like a movie (i.e. pause, fast-forward, etc.). DVD photo slide show, or Slideshow DVD, are also known as: DVD photo album, video slide show, DVD photo slideshow, family slide show, photomontage, wedding photo montage, or digital photo montage. Essentially, a slide to video conversion is what it is about. These all refer to the same great movie that we create out of the compilation of your memories as captured in photos, slides, negatives and even clips of video and film.

Sharing all your digital images on the Internet or on your computer is nice. How about leafing through a glossy full color custom designed digital photo album with pictures that will never fade or discolor? How about sending these albums to family and friends at special occasions to preserve and share the memories? Well, this is what a photo book is all about. Digital Pickle offers you the full capability to unleash your creativity in creating custom designed long lasting beautiful photobooks with complete control over the layout, backgrounds, themes, and cover types.

We scan and restore photos, slides and negatives in any format and size. We convert (and enhance) any video and audio content to digital media in any required format, we transfer and restore 8mm and 16mm to digital media in full high definition, we produce DVD slide shows, photo books, and many custom photo gifts. We produce professional digital video productions and we duplicate CDs and DVDs. We perform commercial digital imaging services including video production and post-production services, document scanning - both standard and delicate handling, CD/DVD duplication, and conversion to digital records of large archives. We provide services to government agencies under GSA schedule 67 (Cameras, Photographic Printers and Related Supplies & Services, Digital and Film-Based) SINs 19 100 - contract # GS-02F-0066W.