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ATHENS VIDEO | Athens, Georgia | Video Production | Videography | Editing | Duplication 

Tape to DVD Transfers ( VHS / VHS-C / 8mm / Hi8 / Digital 8 / Mini DV / DVCAM)

New for 2012: All Tape to DVD transfers will now be treated as Advanced Transfers, but will be charged as Basic Transfers. There is no longer any difference between the two. 
However, custom menus that are different than our standard menus will be charged extra. Additional editing and titles are charged extra as well.

Basic Tape to DVD transfers

Basic Transfer - Real time encoding.  Limited menu customization. On-disc printing.  Chapter marks, Plastic clamshell case. These prices are for the creation of a Master DVD. For copies, see our duplication rates.
0 - 30 minutes............................$20.00
31 - 120 minutes.......................$25.00
121 - 180 minutes.....................$30.00
181 - 240 minutes.....................$35.00
241 - 360 minutes.....................$40.00
Basic Title  to DVD...................$10.00
Join Fees...................................$5.00 each

Examples of this type of transfer are:
PAL or NTSC VHS to DVD
8 mm Tape to DVD
DV to DVD
Anything that can be converted in real-time from one machine to another without using a computer or HD equipment

Advanced Tape to DVD transfers
(Prices no longer valid)

Advanced Transfer - Software encoding. Full menu customization. On-disc printing.  Custom chapter marks, Plastic clamshell case. These prices are for the creation of a Master DVD. For copies, see our duplication rates.
0 - 30 minutes.........................$35.00
31 - 60 minutes.......................$40.00
61 - 90 minutes.......................$55.00
91 - 120 minutes....................$70.00
120 + minutes.........................$80.00
Basic Title  to DVD........... ......$10.00
Join Fees.................................$5.00 each

Why do I need an Advanced Transfer instead of the Basic? There are several reasons, some of which might be:
  • your tape has problems and cannot be played continuously through without stopping and adjusting the tracking.
  • the video or audio  from your tape needs adjustments, such as color correction.
  • you want minor editing, or want to add a few titles.
  • you need a customized menu and custom chapter markers

About Tape Lengths

Different tapes have different lengths depending on the format and recording speed. When you bring your tapes to us, we time them all out and number them. We try to put as many tapes onto a 2 hour DVD, while respecting chronological order. Below are some typical tape length times based on format:
8 mm and Hi 8 (analog).....................2 hours max
Digital 8 (digital)..................................1 hour max
VHS (SP mode)...................................2 hours max
VHS (extended mode)......................up to 8 hours on some tapes
VHS-C (SP Mode).............................20 - 30 minutes depending on tape
VHS-C (extended mode).................up to 90 minutes depending on tape

Frequently Asked Questions


Why are all transfers now done as Advanced but charged as Basic? We made this change in order to stay competitive with the "transfer mills" used by Wal=Mart, Rite-Aid, and others. We now offer the same quality transfers. However, our DVD duplication prices are cheaper.
What are Joining Fees? A join fee is charged anytime you add another tape to a DVD. For instance, a DVD with a 2 hour tape recorded to it is $25. A DVD with a 1 hour tape recorded to it, then another 1 hour tape recorded after it will be $30

How much video can I transfer to a DVD? If needed, up to 6 hours. Preferably, 2 hours to maintain quality. After 2 hours, quality decreases more.

Can I make copies at home or do you have to make copies? We do not place a copy protection mechanism on our DVDs. Therefore, you are welcome to make as many copies as you want, at home or through another vendor.

Can I edit these DVDs? If you know what you are doing, you can. It is not generally recommended. But it can be done. However, we cannot take the time to explain how to do it, so we ask that you do not call for advice. We do provide training and consulting for an hourly rate of $85 /hr if you are interested in this.

I have a device I bought to do this but the DVDs I make won't work. Why? Lots of reasons. Simply put, it's not as easy as it should be.

I want to only transfer part of  my tape to DVD, but not all of it. Is this possible? Yes. You can select an in  and out point for basic transfers. Once you select more than one set of in and out points to transfers, it becomes an editing job and the charges are different.


Note:  We cannot duplicate copyrighted material without the expressed consent of the owners of the copyright.  Examples of what we cannot duplicate are movies, TV shows, or audio CDs not created by the client.  An exception can be made if material to be duplicated is for educational or instructional purposes. but only if material is used as part of an educational presentation.