Looked in the loft, garage or storeroom recently. I'm sure like me there are boxes of old videos, photos or even cine film that hasn't been seen for years - gathering dust and, sadly, deteriorating with age!

Home movies, either on home videotape or 8mm cine film, often contain our most precious memories. Watching home movies can often be a cumbersome and time consuming event, especially when screening cine film and having to set-up the projector and screen.

By transfering your videotapes, cine film and photos to DVD you can instantly share your precious memories with family and friends. I provide the following services:

• Video Format to DVD
• Cine Film Formats to DVD
• Slide Scan and Transfer to DVD
• Photo Scan and Transfer to DVD
   
• A combination of any of the above

Footage can also be transferred to alternative media should you wish to edit yourself. See 'Enhanced Option' for details. Remember, additional DVD copies make ideal gifts for family or friends and can be ordered at the same time.

VIDEOTAPE TRANSFER

Transfer VHS Video, S-VHS, Video 8, Hi-8 Video or Mini-DV Tape to DVD. HDD and/or SD-Card footage can be transferred using the Enhanced Transfer service. There are two options to transfer videotape to DVD:

A. STANDARD TAPE TRANSFER. Transfer up to 120 minutes of home video to a “First Play” DVD. First play means that the DVD starts to play automatically and plays right through to the end. Multiple tapes can be transferred to a single DVD as long as the total running time does not exceed 120 minutes. The footage is not edited, and everything on the tape is copied directly to the DVD. For editing options, see 'Enhanced Tape Transfer' below.

B. ENHANCED TAPE TRANSFER. Using professional editing software your footage is carefully viewed and edited, black sections are removed, colour and brightness are corrected, chapter points are placed at each section and a selection menu enables each movie to be selected using your remote control. Further enhancements such as titles or music may also be required. I can also edit your films to your specific instructions or you can watch the edit and direct your own movie - see the Legacy DVD package for more information. Multiple tapes can be transferred to a single DVD as long as the total running time does not exceed 120 minutes.

CINE FILM TRANSFER

We no longer transfer cine film in-house but can recommend Blagdon Studios, a North-East company who provide this service (see example footage alongside). Please mention ABP should you contact them.

Click here to go to Blagdon Studios website (this will open in a new window).

Copyright. For legal reasons I cannot copy commercial films and videos.

SLIDE AND PHOTO TRANSFER

35mm Slides as well as family photographs can be scanned to DVD. These are presented as a slideshow with background music to play on your DVD player.

For optimum results I use the award-winning DIGITAL ICE technology to automatically remove surface defects, such as dust and scratches, from the scanned image. (I also apply Digital ROC as standard. See below.)

DIGITAL ICE Technology removes surface defects, such as dust and scratches, from a scanned image, but does not soften, blur or otherwise alter any underlying details or composition of the original image. Instead, the patented DIGITAL ICE Technology works from within the scanner, during the scanning process, to provide a clear, authentic base image that improves the original image.

Digital ICE is essential if you intend to have your images on a DVD for viewing as a digital slide show on your TV, DIY editing or publishing and otherwise distributing images on the web or for use as a business.  I assume that you will expect to have the images free of defects therefore I always apply Digital ICE to scanned images as standard, unless specifically instructed not to do so.

Digital ROC Technology. (Always applied with Digital ICE).

Digital ROC restores the colour of faded images.  Negatives and prints tend to colour-fade with time, producing reddish or bluish tint.  Photos taken in certain light such as tungsten or fluorescent, cast a yellowish or whitish colour over the image.  DIGITAL ROC will automatically restore the colour of images that suffer from colour-fading or light casting. DIGITAL ROC will significantly improve your images in need of colour-restoration, over/under exposure correction or light cast removal. DIGITAL ROC automatically restores colour quality to digital images, regardless of the condition of the original image. DIGITAL ROC will automatically analyse the colour to remove the colour cast from faded images and the effects of tungsten and fluorescent lighting. DIGITAL ROC will also restore pleasing density and contrast to black and white pictures.

Digital ROC is essential if you intend to have your images on a DVD for viewing as a digital slide show on your TV, DIY editing or publishing and otherwise distributing images on the web or for use as a business.  I assume that you will expect to have your images corrected for the effects of faded colour, over/under exposure and colour cast, therefore I always apply Digital ROC to scanned images as standard, unless specifically instructed not to do so.

Note on DVD formats

There are currently two types of DVD discs for storage and playback of digital media - DVD+R and DVD-R discs. I use professional quality DVD-R discs which are compatible with most DVD players and computer DVD-ROM drives.

You must inform in advance if you require DVD+R discs. If you are unsure which DVD format to use please contact me with details of your DVD player make and model number and I will advise.

If your DVD does not play please follow these steps before returning for refund or replacement.

1. Check that your DVD player is compatible with DVD-R discs;
2. Check the surface of the DVD. If it is scratched or dirty attempt to clean with a lint-free cloth, wiping from the centre to the edge of the disc;
3. Try playing the DVD on another DVD player;
4. Try playing the DVD in a computer DVD-ROM drive;
5. Should the DVD still not play return all non-playable discs and they will be checked and replaced
6. An exchange or refund will only be given on receipt of a faulty DVD.

All copies are guaranteed against defects for 90 days. If you are not absolutely pleased with your order I will be happy to make an exchange or refund (less original P+P). Simply return the item within 90 days via registered Post.

It was recently reported that "PRECIOUS video and audio tape collections are being destroyed by an aggressive fungus." The Daily Mail article (above) of July 21, 2008 went on to say that "the mould, rife in recordings stored in lofts and cellars, eats away at the tape, making it unusable. Warm wet summers and mild winters have allowed so-called 'tape mould' to flourish. It appears initially as a greeny-white powder, and can develop into long hair-like threads. Expert Beth Frear said: 'Once tapes are infected the best thing is to throw them out. Once they degrade there is often no sound left.' To safeguard tapes, they should be kept in the dark, away from heat sources."