M2DVD will convert your home movies to professionally processed keepsakes on DVD

Top questions about our services.

1. How do you charge for your service?

2. How do you handle the transfer process ?

3. Will I be able to edit my movie on my computer?

4. Will the DVD play on my DVD player?

5. I have very specific needs for my menu, chapters, editing, etc., can you help?

6. How long does it take?

7. What tapes or films do you convert?

8. Is it safe, will you return my originals?

9. Do you guarantee your work, what if I'm not satisfied?

10. What is the best way to preserve my movies?

11. How should I send my movies?

1. How do you charge for your service?
We compute charges based on the amount of time it takes to view your movie collection. So in order to offer you a quote we need to know how much film you are sending us. We don't expect our average customer to know how many feet of film you have, how long it takes to view an average 3, 5, or 7 inch reel, or how long it would take to view your entire collection non-stop. We simply ask you to count up your reels, and tell us how many you have of each size. Next we discuss your particulars, since no two projects are identical. Then we send you an estimate in writing, via email or US Mail, depending on your preference. Sometimes we lower the price because your reels were shorter than we estimated, but we have yet to increase our price beyond the estimate for service as we discuss it with you when we define your project. We accept payment by credit card and offer online credit card transacting. For larger projects we collect half of the estimate in advance. The Balance is due as of the time we notify you that your master is ready for delivery. After you approve of your master (any corrections and many adjustments are made free of charge) you can order copies.

2. How do you handle the transfer process ?
In fact we don't prefer to be viewed as a "transfer process", since we find that many customers have been disappointed by what most transfer services offer for the money they collect. We have packaged under one pricing structure, the features that result in providing an easy to use, memorable version of your home movies. We expect you to gather with your family and share memories of loved ones who may no longer be with us. Most transfer services feed your movies in one end of a machine that spits out a VHS tape or DVD that includes all the defects that went into it. We will begin by cleaning your film, then capturing it, flicker free, into an editing computer; then remove burns, defects, and the scenes that are too under or over-exposed to be viewed, including leaders, shots taken unintentionally while loading the camera, and even scenes of people places or things you don't care or need to remember. During the editing phase we add your titles per the information you provided with your movies. (Most often this is found hand-written on the reel itself, although some of our customers invest a significant amount of time in providing accurate family history we can build into the DVD). We will chat with you and guarantee the correct spelling of your family members, names, events and the accuracy of the dates you provide. Finally we are ready to author your DVD. Now we set up a simple to use menu system where you push a button labeled with the recognizable names of your movies. If you wish you may choose to start the movies as one stream with chapter points allowing you to skip forward or backward from movie to movie within the stream, or keep them separate and start them individually with separate labeled buttons, which often contain a picture from within the movie as the button background image. Then it all comes packaged in a custom labeled Jewel Case with the appropriate family name on it.

3. Will I be able to edit my movie on my computer?
If you have an IEEE (fire wire) interface to a professional digital input device that is capable of monitoring a variable speed projector, while transferring that capture to hard disk, then using professional editing software, and professional DVD authoring software, and a DVD read write drive, you can do what we do.

The DVD you receive from us is written in the movie file format that Authoring software makes us of. That means you can toss it into your player and it will automatically proceed to the screen that offers you your choice of movies to watch. If you wish a copy in an editable format we can easily offer you either Mpeg2 or even ".AVI" copies on CD or DVD media.

4. Will the DVD play on my DVD player?
We use the latest format DVD+R/RW . Our discs have been found to be compatible with over 97% of DVD players made in the past three years. To increase the odds of older players reading DVD+R and DVD+RW we simulate the DVD-ROM settings that are identical to all rental DVDs. If the manufacturer of your equipment lists it as either DVD+R/RW or DVD-ROM compatible, you will read our DVDs. We will be happy to recommend players manufactured by well known Home Electronics Companies that run under $100 and are fully capable home players.

5. I have very specific needs for my menu, chapters, editing, etc., can you help?
Absolutely! We are here to help you create a family history that accurately represents family members lives, and memorable events. We respect those customers who invest their time in offering the level of detail that promotes an accurate record. We will take the time to discuss your preferences, and work with you to give you what you imagined and expected.

6. How long does it take?
In most cases projects will be completed in 4 weeks or less. Rush service is available.

7. What tapes or films do you convert?
We specialize in 8mm, and Super8 film. We also work with VHS, VHS-C, mini-dv, and 8mm camcorder sources.

8. Is it safe?
We receive orders on a daily basis. Movies are not destroyed or damaged in the process. Editing is done on our computer copy and does not alter your originals. An operator monitors the projector at all times. Once the projection is complete your film is not handled anymore. So we need only run it through our cleaner and projector, that one last time, then return it to where it has rested for so many years. It is safe, and we have never damaged or lost a movie. We often repair those splices where the glue no longer holds, or where your film broke the last time you watched it. You film is returned as you sent it to us or even freshly spliced, but never in worse shape then we received it. We inventory your package as we unpack and explore your treasures. During the projection process our operators take notes indicating the condition and quality of the content of each reel, and this information is made available as a record of the received condition.

9. Do you guarantee your work, what if I'm not satisfied?
We have yet to experience that large a difference between what we discussed with you as we worked on your film, and what you got back from us. We don't risk your satisfaction by making decisions that might not reflect your wishes. We will involve you in any aspects that could interfere with a satisfactory outcome.

10. What is the best way to preserve my movies?
Keep them stored in a cool dry location, sealed from collecting dust. " Zip UP Top" plastic bags (which didn't exist 50 years ago) are the best way to enclose them and protect them from spills and dust. We recommend you package them in such bags when shipping them to prevent them from being subjected to any damage. This will ensure that if you ever want to view the originals they will still be there.

Of course we recommend that you work with us to create a version of your movie that does not contain the aspects of home movies that gave them a bad name. Let us work with you to remove the unwanted material and preserve what you remember about your movies, the good parts, the good people, the good Holidays and events. The Grandparents your kids never saw, and the images of the people behind the names you have told them about. Then pop the DVD into the player and go directly to "Grandpa's Birthday 1958" or "Uncle Billy's 1st Haircut, 1950", and without wasting half an hour to setup and thread a broken projector and dig up a rusty old screen, you have accessed an even cleaner view of that memory. Save your master DVD so if a copy gets abused you can have another made.

11. How does this work, how should I send my movies?

The Entire Process:

Step 1: Let us know that you are interested in working with us. Send us an email with your preferred contact information. We will size up your project, offer you an estimate and leave it up to you to decide whether to work with us or not. If we don't hear back, you will not be contacted or coaxed into working with us. If you choose to allow us to process your memories, we will demonstrate our excellent customer service by assisting you in preparing your collection. Please do not send your movies without discussing your project with us in advance. We will instruct you on the shipping address of the location nearest you.

Step 2: Number each of your reels (if you know the correct sequence) and label each reel with as much information as you have about its contents. Send us an email with the number of each reel and the titles for the scenes contained on that reel so we can avoid misinterpreting handwriting. Don't worry, we have deciphered handwritten labels and worked with customers to assign labels for "mystery reels". We have many ideas for dealing with movies in collections that were not labeled, such as, providing you a numerically labeled proof and having you watch it then tell us how you want it ordered and labeled. You may choose to have your collection sorted chronologically, or by event or even family member, for example.

Step 3: Package the movies and any notes you can offer that will help us follow your instructions, in a sturdy cardboard box within a "Zip Up Top" bag. Be sure your collection contains your name and other contact details so we can identify it.

Step 4: Send the movies to the address your Production Manager gives you. (Please do not send your movies to our corporate offices in Las Vegas, that is not a processing location.)

*We Highly Recommend a shipping service that offers tracking service and allows you to insure your package, because that special handling protects against losses.

Step 5: We email your invoice for service as notification of the completion of your master. You can pay online using your credit card, and once we receive authorization we will ship your master. Your movies and master are returned via USPS Priority Service with tracking unless otherwise specified.

Step 6: You review your master and feedback any corrections or adjustments that you require before we proceed with generating your copies.

Step 7: You may need to see a revised master before placing an order for your copies. We keep your master image until we are sure you have received your copies in good order. If you wish copies made after your initial order we request the return of either your master or a copy of the DVD(s). Your copies are packaged as exact duplicates of your approved master.

Step 8: You gather with your family and a huge bowl of popcorn and remember your cherished past, or introduce your family members to their relatives from another time and place.