Videotapes to Data DVD


Convert your home videotapes to Data DVD!


Videotapes to Data DVD
  • $12.95/tape
  • Great if you want to edit your videos in MPEG-2 video format (please see "Are data DVD's the right choice for me?" below.)
  • Each tape will be converted to a separate digital video file (ex. "Tape_1.mpg", "Tape_2.mpg", etc...)
  • Each tape will generally be placed on a unique DVD (1 DVD for each tape.) Short tapes may be consolidated on the same DVD (each tape will remain a separate file though.)
  • Video files can be simply copied and pasted from the DVD to your hard drive (no DVD "ripping" software required.)
  • Technical Informaton:
    • Video format - MPEG-2
    • Compression method - 2-pass VBR
    • Video bitrate ~ 4500 kbps (approx. 2 hrs of video per DVD)
    • Audio format - AC3 a.k.a Dolby Digital (or MPEG Layer II upon request)
    • Audio bitrate - 224 kbps
  • Includes a clear jewel case with each DVD.
  • VHS/VHS-C/SVHS/8mm (aka Video8)/Hi8/Digital8/MiniDV tapes accepted. PAL and SECAM tapes not supported. Film and slides are not supported.
 

How many tapes do you want to add?  

Optional: Do you want this group of tapes in multiple formats?
Choose more formats below for only $3.00/tape!

External Hard Drive (only $3.00/tape; regular price $12.95/tape)
DVD (only $3.00/tape; regular price $12.95/tape)

 

Common Questions

What is the difference between a regular DVD and a data DVD?

Simply put, a data DVD is just a DVD disc that holds video files. Regular DVD's (like the DVD's you buy or rent, or our regular DVD's) also hold video files, but are specially formatted to play in a standalone DVD player. Data DVD's lack this special formatting and are not guaranteed to play in set-top DVD players. Regular DVD's and data DVD's both use the same type of phycial disc. The only difference between them is the way the video is formatted.

Since data DVD's lack the special formatting of regular DVD's, accessing the video files contained on a data DVD is as simple as copying files from the disc and pasting them to your computer hard drive. Regular DVD's, on the other hand, require DVD "ripping" software to properly extract video from the disc. The ease with which video can be copied from a data DVD makes it a good choice if you intend to edit your video in MPEG-2 format.

Are data DVD's the right choice for me?

Data DVD's are a great choice if you want to edit or store your video in the MPEG-2 format. (Please note that you can also choose to get your videotapes in MPEG-2 format on an External Hard Drive or in DV format on an External Hard Drive..) However, there are a few things you should know about MPEG-2 video before making your decision:

  1. In order to view and hear MPEG-2 video with AC3 audio on your computer, you must have a valid MPEG-2 and AC3 codec installed, along with a video player that supports them (a codec is the set of instructions that tell your system how to read a particular video file.)
     
  2. In order to edit MPEG-2 video with AC3 audio on your computer, your video editor must support MPEG-2 and AC3..

Due to the large number of common video players and video editors, we can not tell you if your system supports MPEG-2 video with AC3 audio. However, you can download this short 3 second sample clip. If your video player or video editor can handle the sample clip, you won't have any problems with data DVD's containing MPEG-2 video with AC3 audio. If not, you should either choose a different video player/editor, install a MPEG-2 or AC3 codec, or possibly consider getting your videos transferred to another format such as DV, which is compatible with almost any video player/editor.

Having said that, we can point you to several free sites to get help with your chosen video player/editor:

  • For help with general video topics and to ask questions about a wide variety of video players/editors, please visit the discussion forums at Videohelp.com.
  • For Mac users, try the Apple discussion forums.

Additionally, the following are common video editors that support MPEG-2: (not a comprehensive list...)

  • Womble MPEG Video Wizard
  • Ulead Video Studio
  • MPEG StreamClip (Mac)
  • TMPGEnc MPEG Editor
  • Cutterman

How do I edit my videos?

Due to the large number of video editors, it is not possible for us to offer specific help. To get help with your video editor, please visit the manufacturers website (there are often user message boards available for questions) or VideoHelp.com, a free site used by video professionals and hobbyists that includes many guides (tutorials) and a forum section to ask questions.

What type of DVD do you use?

We use DVD-R discs, which are compatible with almost any computer DVD-ROM/DVD drive. If your DVD-ROM/DVD drive does not support DVD-R discs, DVD+R discs are available upon request.

For answers to more questions please see our help page.