Why don't you put more than 70 minutes on one disc?
Some providers will offer up to four hours onto a disc but we believe quality suffers when you fit more than two hours on a disc - the picture can become pixelated in the way digital television can during busy scenes. Where possible we will try to limit content to as close to one hour as possible. Since VHS quality is relatively low to begin with compared to modern HD, we like to preserve as much quality as possible. If you have a particular requirement for longer than two hours on a single disc, we can do this at your request.
I don't know how long my tapes are. What shall I do?
You can send us your order and form based on shorter length pricing and we will email you if a longer length would lead to a higher price before proceeding. Alternatively, many people send us a batch of tapes, we scan them and then email them with detailed lengths and cost options. Screenshots from videos can be supplied if you have forgotten what was on them. No obligation to proceed, if more footage or cost than expected, just pay return postage or just have part of your order completed for now.
Can I mix more than one tape onto a single disc?
Yes. Just make it clear with your tapes how you want them combining. Remember, for a single disc the suggested limit is 70 minutes. For a 2-disc set the limit is 140 minutes. We can do 3 or more disc sets, see our 'DVD Box Set' page.
How do your prices compare?
We offer the best quality at a great price! But you would expect us to say that. This business was started after using other services and not being happy with the product. Our standard price gives the same benefits that others charge more for. A lot of providers also either do not provide or charge extra for DVD cases, images on cover and disc, printed discs, user-friendly menus etc. We provide all that as standard.
How do I pay?
We will email you an invoice for payment when your discs are ready to despatch. You can pay by bank transfer, PayPal or online by card. Alternatively we can accept cheque, if you know the amount in advance you can make it payable to "Update Media Solutions", or send when your order is ready.
How do you send the discs and tapes back?
When your order is ready, we will return your discs or memory sticks and tapes together in one package by Royal Mail Special Delivery. This is a fully tracked and insured, guaranteed overnight service. We will keep a back-up digital copy of your discs just in case! If over 2Kg, we use Parcel Force.
Can I customise my film, disc case and disc face?
Any way you want! We will try our best to meet your requirements for a small additional cost. Call or email to discuss your requirements. Options include:
DVD case cover - Photos, messages, text, backgrounds - send us your suggestions, text or photos by email or post. If you want us to send proofs before printing this is possible.
Disc face - will be similar to the case cover.
DVD content - Some editing of the film can be done. Films combined, scenes cut, titles added. Just make your instructions clear.
DVD menu - normally with this service we will include 'chapter markers' at obvious scene changes, normally every 5-15 minutes. If you have specific requests these can be accommodated.
Different messages can be put on different covers. E.g. If you want a few copies of a wedding video, one could say 'To Gran with Love...' and others individualised accordingly
If you have a detailed editing request - like a montage to a song - please email us and we will arrange to ring you to discuss your requirements and confirm if this will cost extra.
Whatever you want, please make your instructions clear with your order. If we are unclear about any aspect, we will contact you.
A fuller editing service is available.
I have a great old film on VHS that they haven't released on DVD. Can you convert it?
We can only convert somebody else's copyrighted material if you have written permission of the copyright holder - we would need to see this confirmation. It is possible to acquire this from some publishers if they do not expect to release the film on DVD. Many published VHS tapes include copy-protection that is illegal to 'work around' without permission and we will always refuse this work. We will charge our postage fee for return of tapes that we cannot copy for reasons of copyright - so don't send us Titanic on VHS - we can't copy it for you.
Will I be able to edit the film myself?
This will depend on your computer, software and skills. Any footage on a memory stick can be edited. A DVD would normally have to be converted to a file type such as MPEG2 first which requires a little skill, but no DVDs we make are copy protected so you're free to use them as you like.
What formats of video tape do you convert?
We currently convert VHS, S-VHS, VHS-C, MiniDV, MicroMV, Video8, Hi8 and Digital8. (We no longer convert Betamax).
We can convert all PAL (general in the UK).
We can convert NTSC (USA) for VHS, VHS-C and MiniDV. However, whilst we will convert it to DVD or video file, it remains in the NTSC format as converting to UK PAL means inevitable loss of quality. This should play well on all computers and most UK players will play NTSC DVDs (This is different to Region locked DVDs where an American DVD may be locked to Region 1, Europe to Region2 etc. OUr DVDs are Region 0 so they play on all DVD players, anywhere).
SECAM is another format that requires equipment from the countries that used that format for best quality, so again recommend you look for a service advertising this specifically.
I have some MiniDVD discs (small DVDs), can you help?
Yes. There are sometimes issues with discs that have not been finalised and we have to use specialist software and techniques to recover the data for an additional charge. Email or call with how many discs etc and we'll discuss further. (If you still have your camera you can usually save money by finalising the discs before sending)
I make my own copies of the discs?
You own the copyright to the material so that is up to you. To take advantage of our additional copies service that include full DVD cover and disc printing then doing so at the time of order is cheapest. All single disc additional copies only £8.
Can you convert audio cassette tapes to CD or MP3?
Yes we do, though we only do this on demand. Typically costs are £10 per cassette plus postage. Please email or call and we'll tell you about how it works.
I live in Nottingham, can you collect?
We can occasionally offer free collection and delivery for the Bingham, Radcliffe, West Bridgford and surrounding areas. For further afield in the Nottingham area we can sometimes arrange collection in person for our standard postage fee, depending on mutual convenience and practicalities. Call or email to discuss.
I have a different question.
Please email us at [email protected]