just wondering how many other folks out there offer this as a service to the public? if so, do you use hardware or software mpeg2 encoders? i have been doing this for a few years and recently, it has death star exploded in terms of being busy, with people transferring entire libraries (40+ hours). i'm analyzing how it's been going and how to control the craziness going forward in terms of managing the time to complete projects (and clients' growing requests to edit their own stuff) etc..etc..
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transferring home videos as a business?
- Thread starter Keebler
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i used to do this a little, and just got burned out on it.
there is quite a few companies doing this. there are alot of people that are interested in this kind of service.
there is quite a few companies doing this. there are alot of people that are interested in this kind of service.
A few years ago my mom went to one of these places to get some home movies put on DVD.... The guys (and this is the only thing their business does) actually told her it would be much easier if she did it herself with one of those VCR/DVD recorders. They told her it's not worth it and too much work for them to do themselves.
....???
I didn't understand either.
Most definitely you would need to use a hardware-based encoder to do these VHS/8mm to DVD copy conversions. You'll need to invest in a variety of analog video players, analog time-base correctors, and dvd burning towers.
I tried converting some of my old 15-year old vhs copies to DVD via firewire passthrough my Sony DSR-11 deck, but it was an exercise in futility as frames kept being dropped and all sorts of sync problems.
If you're doing this full-time, it might be better to hire cheap help to assist in loading tapes, working with customers, burning, etc while you do marketing keeping the business saturated.
I tried converting some of my old 15-year old vhs copies to DVD via firewire passthrough my Sony DSR-11 deck, but it was an exercise in futility as frames kept being dropped and all sorts of sync problems.
If you're doing this full-time, it might be better to hire cheap help to assist in loading tapes, working with customers, burning, etc while you do marketing keeping the business saturated.
A few years ago my mom went to one of these places to get some home movies put on DVD.... The guys (and this is the only thing their business does) actually told her it would be much easier if she did it herself with one of those VCR/DVD recorders. They told her it's not worth it and too much work for them to do themselves.
....???
well, it can be a time consuming process, but if set up right, it's not overly difficult. some ppl fail to see that the general public could buy a recorder and get the job done but:
1. some ppl have the money to buy the recorder, learn the technology and do it...but they have no time to do it. others have a combination of these issues, but in the end...it's the same thing:
ppl don't want to spend time doing it.
also, alot of folks want footage edited out now that they see the panned and scanned over the same scenery/event 8 times
i can foresee how one can get burned out as it can get crazy, but so can any biz is my opinoin
good points spicy. i have the video players, the tbcs and i use my macs for burning (demand isn't crazy yet, but i have looked at burning towers). the only question i have wrt to the hardware encoders is flexibility. right now, my workflow includes using fcp and then dvd sp to create the dvd menus etc.. (which ppl absolutely love - chapters, stories, little moving pictures...they love it). so i guess if i could take a .mov out of fcp, encode with hardware and then import the file into SP...i may just be sold
but i agree, it will be faster
Hey Keebler; Glad to see business is 'Deathstar Exploding' busy
Other people's home movies/editing, is an area that I've been interested in getting into for a while now - though I've been sidetracked on other 'projects' which have been helping me learn the Final Cut Studio software.
... I'll continue to read this thread with interest.
Other people's home movies/editing, is an area that I've been interested in getting into for a while now - though I've been sidetracked on other 'projects' which have been helping me learn the Final Cut Studio software.
... I'll continue to read this thread with interest.
Hey Keebler; Glad to see business is 'Deathstar Exploding' busy
Home movies/editing, an area that I've been interested in getting into for a while now - though I've been sidetracked on other 'projects' which have been helping me learn the Final Cut Studio software.
... I'll continue to read this thread with interest.
yup...both good and bad it is. good for obvious reasons, but bad i just need new toys to keep up
lolseriously, it's an interesting time b/c more ppl are hopping on to get it done so we need a fast solution to get them done...while still managing to provide good customer service and being able to taylor clients' needs...
yup...both good and bad it is. good for obvious reasons, but bad i just need new toys to keep up
seriously, it's an interesting time b/c more ppl are hopping on to get it done so we need a fast solution to get them done...while still managing to provide good customer service and being able to taylor clients' needs...
Is there any way of splitting the service offerings?
Slow but specialised VS quick n' simple conversion?
(I thought you just wanted an excuse to get a Mac Pro
- can fit TWO whole superdrives! )Is there any way of splitting the service offerings?
Slow but specialised VS quick n' simple conversion?
(I thought you just wanted an excuse to get a Mac Pro
lol on the 2 superdrives
the thought of 4 internal HDs does make me salivate though negatory regarding the service splitting...i can't see it working any other way, plus, i don't want to compromise the quality of what i offer. i'm trying to find a hardware encoding solution. There are a few..will keep you posted. if they work, it will make things very, very nice. ie. instead of transferring 1.5 hours of film, preparing it for output to mpeg2 and then watching bitvice (a fantastic program btw) work for 7 hours, realtime hardware encoding would 'slightly'
speed up the process...I offer two options:
1) A straight transfer to DVD without editing. $22.00 per two hour disc (using a Pioneer DVD recorder). Doesn't tie up my Macs and I can be doing other, more profitable work while recording.
2) Edited. $85.00/hour (including capture time, editing, encoding, authoring and burning). This DOES tie up one of my Macs and I charge accordingly.
-DH
1) A straight transfer to DVD without editing. $22.00 per two hour disc (using a Pioneer DVD recorder). Doesn't tie up my Macs and I can be doing other, more profitable work while recording.
2) Edited. $85.00/hour (including capture time, editing, encoding, authoring and burning). This DOES tie up one of my Macs and I charge accordingly.
-DH
good points spicy. i have the video players, the tbcs and i use my macs for burning (demand isn't crazy yet, but i have looked at burning towers). the only question i have wrt to the hardware encoders is flexibility. right now, my workflow includes using fcp and then dvd sp to create the dvd menus etc.. (which ppl absolutely love - chapters, stories, little moving pictures...they love it). so i guess if i could take a .mov out of fcp, encode with hardware and then import the file into SP...i may just be sold
but i agree, it will be faster
You only charge $18/hour for all that work in DVD Studio Pro?
yup...all that work? nah..it's maybe 10 minutes at the very most. i have my templates set up so after transferring, editing (if required and they are charged for it), i add chapter markers, export and compress to mpeg2, drop into SP and complete the dvd. easy as 1, 2, 3
if clients want specific features, then i bill them accordingly. my dvds include chapters, a play all button and subsequent menus (if necessary). i'll even do stories if the material fits that feature b/c they are dead, dead easy to do.
i've learned that if i don't set myself temps up, it is not worth it. SP makes it easy to drop and drag stuff and change things around quickly.
i also mainly serve the home market, only occasionally doing work for businesses and/or the government. if i charged more, the market wouldn't support it. plus, i work out of an office in my home so my overhead costs are lower.
cheers,
keebler
true. i think it's respectable given the market. people were balking at spending more per hour...some started to think they could buy the equipment themselves. i talked with a colleague and my price is just about right.
plus, anything i can bring in to help with bills is a bonus. christmas time is nuts..had to shut the door guaranteeing anything done for then.
cheers,
keebler