I’m not sure what type of film I have.

It’s extremely easy for us to verify the type of film you have. We transfer all of them including 8mm, Super 8, Super 8 with sound, 16mm and 16mm with sound. Just a reminder to you most of the film formats are without audio, but if the audio track is there, you will see the gold track on one or both sides of the film reel opposite the sprockets.

I’m not sure what is on my film

You will need to get your film transferred to a better, easier to view, format for viewing or editing. There are many choices for software, which aren’t very expensive and fairly easy to use! If editing is more than you’re willing to learn, ask the professionals at AVE2DVD.

How much film can you fit on a DVD?

Most customers prefer to fit as much film as possible on each DVD, due to wanting additional copies for other family members.
•You can fit approximately 1600 feet – 1800 feet of 8mm film on a 2hr DVD
•You can fit approximately 1800 feet – 2000 feet of Super 8 film on a 2hr DVD
•You can fit approximately 4000 feet of 16mm film on a 2hr DVD

What Video Tapes do you transfer to DVD?

What video formats do you accept?

We accept VHS, VHS-C, S-VHS, Digital 8, Video 8, Hi-8, MiniDV, and Pal.

How much video footage can fit on a DVD?

We recommend 120 minutes. This ensures the maximum quality possible.

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

Yes, you may combine all of the above Videotapes to create a single DVD. If you will be combining video from multiple tapes for a DVD, label each movie tape with an easily identifiable title (e.g. 1,2,3). The cost is an additional $10 for each additional tape.

What are “Chapters”?

Chapters are specific scenes that have been detected within your video, and are very similar to chapters in a book, which divide the story into related pieces. By indexing your video into separate chapters, our DVD allows you to skip to any chapter directly (without fast forwarding). These markers are pre programmed every 5 minutes. All film Chapters are set at the frame at which the reel starts, this allows you to choose the video segment you wish to watch, or play al all from the beginning.

DVD Player Compatibility

Can I play the DVD on my computer?

Yes. The DVD’s we produce will play on almost any computer with a DVD player. But, remember, you must have some type of video player software installed to be able to do so. If you don’t already have software to play your DVD we suggest VLC Media Player. It works on Windows, Mac, and Linux and is completely free.

If my DVD won’t play on my DVD player, what should I do?

We highly recommend you upgrade your player for greater satisfaction, as prices have fallen now to $100 or less. But if you choose not upgrade, or if the DVD is defective in some way, you may return your DVD to us for replacement copy. This offer for the replacement is only good for 3 days of receiving it. We do guarantee all of our work!

Do you offer a Guarantee?

Yes, we guarantee you’ll be completely satisfied with the final work we do for you. Why? It’s because we put our heart and soul into every job we do and we collaborate with you during the process. Because you’ve been an active participant along the way, we’d be surprised if you’re not happy with our work. If you’re not happy, and you let us know within 3 days of receiving it, we’ll re-do it for you!

How do you protect my Privacy?

Is my credit card information safe?

Your credit card information is used solely for billing you for our services. This information is transmitted to us over a secure link, using SSL encryption, which prevents anyone who might intercept the numbers from being able to use the information. We do not store or keep any of your credit card information.

Is the content of my video tape private?

Only ave2dvd technicians, who are carrying out your transfer instructions or doing quality checking during DVD production, will view your videotape, film and/or photos; and then only those portions that they are working on. During this processing, however, if material is discovered that is outside our policy to accept, we will terminate processing.

Will you sell information about me to third parties?

No (view our privacy policy). With your permission, however, we may email you news about our services from time to time.

DVD Photo Slideshow/Collage Questions

What criteria should I use when selecting the photos to include in my DVD Photo Slideshow/Collage project?

A DVD Photo Collage is kind of like a slideshow for the 21st century. They can be used for a variety of purposes ranging from graduations, anniversaries, and even memorial services. It’s your favorite slides, photos set with music, titles and special effect transitions. Each picture appears on the screen for around 6-7 seconds then transitions to the next.

What are special effect transitions?

These are the way we move from picture to picture so that the effect is not jerky or cut like a slideshow. Transitions add an element of movement and life to your production. Our transitions range from the basic dissolves and fades, to 3D transitions, for example: one photo might slide or spin over the top of the new photo. At AVE2DVD we have the best software with hundreds of quality special effects for transitions our technical eyes choose the ones that will enhance your project rather than overwhelm it.

What criteria should I use when selecting the photos to include in my collage?

It will probably be very apparent to you what photos/slides you should include, but here are some additional tips:
•Choose the most meaningful pictures.
•Choose the pictures that show character and personality.
•Choose photos that are candid.
•Choose a mix of close-ups as well as photos that have groups and action in them.
•Choose photos to reveal the most important stages of life, for example: important moments, significant events like first day at school, graduation, wedding, etc.
•Choose more horizontal shots than vertical shots. The reason for this is that TV screens are wider than they are high, so horizontal shots fill the screen and look much better. Vertical shots will appear on the TV screen with black borders on each side (or will need dramatic cropping). There’s not a problem with the borders, but too many vertical shots one after the other won’t be as pleasing to look at as horizontal ones.
•Avoid photos that are too similar.
•Avoid out of focus photos.
•Avoid selecting too many photos without people in them.

See photo Collage Prep Sheet to organize in groups.

How many photos do I need, for a certain length of video?

These times are approximate.
•30 photos – 3 minute video.
•100 photos – 10 minute video.
•200 photos – 20 minute video.
•300 photos – 30 minute video.
•400 photos – 40 minute video.

What size pictures can I send?

We can work with any size picture from a slide to an 11×7 and everything in between.

Can I scan the pictures myself and send them to you?

If you know what you are doing, you can definitely do this. But we need to stress that if you do not scan them correctly, we will need to charge you to resize them. If you are scanning them, you need to crop and size them to fit 720 horizontal x 480 vertical pixels. The higher the resolution, the better your photos will look on the screen, so up to 300 pixels/inch is great. Unfortunately, less than 100 pixels/inch will result in a very grainy picture. You need the save the images as JPEGS, give them an identifying number and call us for instructions for uploading via the Internet. Numbers should start in with the sequence 001 – 1000. We are unable to accept photos via email.

Should the photos I send be vertical or horizontal?

Horizontal photos (also known as landscape) will look the best on your TV screen. Vertical photos will have black space (borders) around them when shown, and the entire image may not fit on the screen. Too many vertical photos, especially when placed one after the other, will not give you the best experience, so it is best to limit them. Vertical photos can make good first and last shots, as the titles can be run on the side border.

The photos that I want to use are firmly stuck in the album. What should I do?

Rather than further damage them by trying to remove them, you should send us the pages in the album, putting a numbered sticky note beside each of the images you would like us to use. We will then either scan the photos or use our professional video gear to capture the image. You will need to advise us of the weight of your package, as we may need to charge you extra for freight to return the album/s to you. Depending on amount of these there could be additional charges that apply.

Can I send photos to you still in their frames?

No, we do not accept photos still in their frames. The glass can shatter in transit, ruining the photo, and we would hate for that to happen.

Will you digitally crop my photos?

We do not normally crop the scanned photos or make any enhancements to them, but if it would improve the image and you’d like it done, it is definitely one of the services we offer for a small additional fee. We can crop an image to focus more closely on the action, or even crop someone out!

How should I choose the order for my photos?

We will prepare your project in the exact order that you send the photos to us. You can choose to organize them in two different ways.
•Chronologically: birth, toddler years, childhood, teen, dating, work, marriage, children OR 1930′s, 1940′s, 1950′s
•By theme: eating, moving, vacationing, Mother’s side of the family, Father’s side of the family, cars he has owned, the good old days, etc.

How long will each photo appear on the screen?

Each photo will appear for between 6-7 seconds, 6 seconds is normally the most suitable but this can vary depending on the nature of the photos, the tempo of the music and the special effect transitions we’re using.

How should I choose my start and end photos?

Make these your very best shots, as often they will appear in the screen the longest, or will have titles overlaid on them or before or after them.

I’m worried about sending my photos, how do I know you will return my photos in the same condition as you received them?

We can definitely understand why you would be worried, because we know how important your photos are. It’s because we know how irreplaceable photos and the memories they evoke are that we treat your photos as if they are our own.

To this day, we have never damaged or lost any photo entrusted to us. We guarantee your photos will be returned to you in the same condition as we received them, unless something catastrophic happens that is out of our control.

To put you further at ease, we employ all manner of precautions in our studios to protect your photos (including no liquids or food allowed in the work rooms). Due to the shipping process being totally outside our control, we do need to ask you to sign a waiver on our order form that absolves us of any responsibility for your materials during the shipping process.

How should I protect my photos while they’re in transit?

Package your photos well using hard cardboard on all sides to provide a solid shell for your photos. We also recommend you use a plastic Ziploc bag to contain each section of photographs to protect them from any spillage during the delivery process.

How should I ship my media?

Make sure your media is well packaged and secure for transit. A strong corrugated box is preferred, a standard 10×10, 12×12, etc usually can save you a few dollars in shipping because it allows the shippers more room for boxes.
•Wrap videotapes, film, cassettes and reel to reel in bubble wrap if available.
•Makes sure there is wrap or bubble in between the top, bottom and sides of the boxes and media.
•Vinyl albums should be placed between two sheets of strong cardboard and packaged with the bubble wrap and/or popcorn for shipping.
•Download and print our preprinted mailing label off the computer to make sure of accurate address for AVE2DVD.

Can I get my films transferred to different file for editing?

Yes! We can store your memories to a MiniDV at an extra cost or an external hard drive to an AVI or preferred file. There is an additional charge for the hard drive and transfer. Please contact us for details.

1085 W. Queen Creek Rd., Suite 5, Chandler, AZ 85248 Map & Directions

480-726-8300

1-877-AVE2DVD