Video Tape is Dangerous . . . to your memories.

All forms of "Visual Media" are subject to a limited life span. The hidden danger of video tape is the relatively quick degradation of the tape and the signal recorded on it. For your convenience we have included a table below from the www.filmpreservation.org website that provides a limited guideline for preservation of most of the visual media you might have around your house.

Let's focus on VHS video tape for the moment. It was first introduced as Sony's Betamax format in 1/2" cassettes with a 60 minute record capability. It was never designed to archive "family memories" - it was born to be a cheap distribution medium in the late 70's for commercial/industrial training materials. The average shelf life is estimated to be around 5 -10 years* before it is rendered useless from various factors.

Close behind Sony, JVC followed with a lesser quality offering called VHS. (Video Home System) In VHS format the way the signal was recorded made for less picture quality than Betamax, but a two hour recording capability was a prize feature, so we as consumers adopted this system. This gave rise to inexpensive video cameras and recorders and home-based videography was launched.

The good news is we now have precious, never to be repeated memories captured. The bad news is that it's stored on what was never meant to be a long term storage solution, but rather an inexpensive and reasonable industrial distribution medium.

Your fondest "memories" now exist solely on a disposable by design medium . . . who knew?

What can you do?  It's simple!

Take all of your old VHS tapes with kids, weddings, sports, pets, family and travel memories to Home Video Studio Visalia and have them transferred to a Platinum Archival DVD. This is a real storage solution because our Platinum Archival DVD is rated to last for 100 years. This DVD is so tough that you can scratch it with a nail and it will still play.


Now, let's not forget that we can also organize and edit these tapes together and tell a more specific story. So think about how you might add to the family tree/archive with these old treasures and then distribute those to the rest of the family.

And even if you had Umatic 3/4" or 1/2" Betamax tapes there are still resources at Home Video Studio Visalia to capture those to DVD.

Sure it's another thing on your "to do" list, but it's a very important one, as it involves something totally irreplaceable . . . your memories.

As you are preparing your tapes to be transferred to Platinum Archival DVDs, here are a few tips you need to know:

How to Handle Your Video Tapes

• Never touch the tape itself. 
• Hold it by the side of the cassette
• Rewind the cassette before storing it.
• Keep away from curious kids; avoid dropping or banging the tapes.
• Keep cassettes away from magnetic fields (Top of the Old TV)
• Don't leave a cassette in the car where it will be exposed to heat and cold
• If using a new cassette and it's still cold, let it warm up to room temperature.
• Occasionally fast forward and rewind a tape that's being stored a long time.

How to Store Your Video Tapes

• Store in conditions that are stable, cool and dry.
• Stay away from hot, humid and dusty.
• Store cassettes in the cassette case.
• Store your tapes vertically and not flat to distribute the gravity pull equally, stably and avoid edge damage.And from the www.filmpreservation.org site we get the following information:

Chemical decay is due to spontaneous chemical change. Fading of color dyes in photographs and degradation of binder layers in magnetic tape are examples of decay caused by chemical reactions occurring within the materials themselves. The speed of these reactions depends primarily on temperature, but moisture also plays a role. In general, the warmer the temperature of the storage area, and the higher the Relative Humidity, the faster the media collection will be affected by chemical decay.

Excessive dampness is a very serious environmental threat to media collections because it contributes not only to mechanical decay but to biological and chemical decay as well.


Call us today! 559-732-3050

Our Time Lapse of Tucson Arizona

This Way!

We stormed the shores - At Normandy

The Brits stormed ours - By way of TV

Click here and share:  www.bit.ly/THISWAY 

HVS vs the Competition - Home Video Studio - Visalia, Ca

HVS vs the Competition - Home Video Studio - Visalia, Ca from Arthur Zepeda on Vimeo.

Home Video Studio's Film Transfer Department has taken a big step forward in providing High Definition home movie transfer! We are proud to announce the arrival of our new MWA-Nova FlashscanHD for 8mm, Super-8 and Super-8 sound home movie transfer. Now you can have your film digitized and put on a DVD or a hard drive knowing it's being processed with the state of the art in sound and silent film transfer!
With a completely digital path and the highest quality capturing codec (Apple pro-res 422) your home movies, even in Standard Definition, will look fantastic. And, if you want High Definition to a Blu-Ray disc, we can provide that in a 1280X720 resolution as well!
Another great feature of the FlashscanHD is its sprocketless transport and laser frame alignment. What does that mean to you? It means no jerky film movement because of damaged sprocket holes. It means you see 100% of the frame even if the film has shrunk.
Contact your Home Video Studio today and ask about Home Movies on HD Blu-Ray disc.

September is Sports Highlight Video Month!

September is Sports Highlight Video Month!  Do you have some video of "great sports moments" from this summer.  Your birdie on six? 

Your daughter's game winning goal?  Your son's diving catch?  Great plays happen in a moment of time!  Preserve them for years to come!  Accentuate them with titles, special effects and/or music!

Call us today!

Home Video Studio-Visalia, Ca

559-732-3050

The Best Home Movie Transfer - Home Video Studio - Visalia, Ca

Home Video Studio's Film Transfer Department has taken a big step forward in providing High Definition home movie transfer! We are proud to announce the arrival of our new MWA-Nova FlashscanHD for 8mm, Super-8 and Super-8 sound home movie transfer. Now you can have your film digitized and put on a DVD or a hard drive knowing it's being processed with the state of the art in sound and silent film transfer!
With a completely digital path and the highest quality capturing codec (Apple pro-res 422) your home movies, even in Standard Definition, will look fantastic. And, if you want High Definition to a Blu-Ray disc, we can provide that in a 1280X720 resolution as well!
Another great feature of the FlashscanHD is its sprocketless transport and laser frame alignment. What does that mean to you? It means no jerky film movement because of damaged sprocket holes. It means you see 100% of the frame even if the film has shrunk.
Contact your Home Video Studio today and ask about Home Movies on HD Blu-Ray disc.

Take Your Videotapes to Home Video Studio!

Actor: Howard Hong
Vinny's Hand: Roy Wilson
Voice: John Montgomery
Editing Roy Wilson
Videography: Arthur Zepeda

We made this video as part of a class assignment  at the 2013 HVS Getaway in Las Vegas Nv

Make Mom Happy with DVD Memories

Good News! Mother's Day is around the corner. Better News! You have the opportunity to express your love and appreciation to her in a way that is personal, unique and powerful. Best News! It's a phone call away!
Your Mom has always found creative ways to say "I Love You" like no other. Now you can return the favor with a special Mother's Day video that will be one of a kind! Here are just a few ideas:

A Mother's Day Photo Keepsake - How about a photo montage for the whole family to enjoy? We can take your favorite photos of mom, add her favorite music and some titles and produce a masterpiece. It's easy to get started. First select the photos you want to include, then sort them by date, by event, by person or however you would like. Next choose some music that is appropriate. Then choose a simple opening and closing title.

A Message for Mom - Can you imagine mom's delight if her kids made a video message? A poetry reading, a song or just an impromptu speech of what mom means to them. We can create and edit to your hearts content to make it really special.

Videos Through the Years - You've shot video on vacation, school programs, recitals, camp, graduation, family reunions &..whew! That's a lot of video! And it's probably on a lot of formats. 8mm film, VHS tape, 8mm tape, Mini DV, Mini Disc&We can take all of your formats and organize it into something special for mom's special day. And what could be more gratifying to mom than seeing her kids grow up before her very eyes?

A mixture - We can help you do a mixture of any or all of these ideas for one spectacular production! Remember, we are the creative specialists. Whatever you can conceive we can most likely achieve.

Give us a call today so we can begin building a Mother's Day gift she won't soon forget!

559-732-3050 / 866-993-8348

How to upload a video to Youtube.com

To get started, you'll need to have a YouTube account.

• Go to youtube.com.
• Click the large blue "Create Account" button.
• Fill out the form with your personal information. If you have a Gmail address, entering it as your email address in this form will save you some time later. When you're done filling out the form, click the "I Accept" button.

• If you used your Gmail account when creating your YouTube account, you'll be asked to link them together on the next page. If this is the case, link the accounts. If you did not use your Gmail account (because you don't have one) you'll be asked to create one on the next page. If this is the case, create a Gmail account and it will be linked to your new YouTube account.
• Now you're signed up and should be automatically signed in. You'll know if you're signed in if you see your YouTube account name in the upper right corner of the screen. If you don't, you should see a "Sign In" link up there. Click that and then sign in with your new YouTube username and password. Make sure you're signed into your account by looking up at the top righthand part of the page. If you see your username, you're signed in.
• To the left of your username, you'll find a link called "Upload." Click on that.
• A new page will load and you'll be presented with two options. The first option is a yellow button labeled "Upload video" and a link titled "Record from webcam." You want to click the "Upload video" button.
• Once you've clicked the "Upload video" button, you'll a new window pop up that will let you select a file from your hard drive. Select the video you want to upload and click the "Choose" button.
• The video will start to upload and you'll see its progress. Make sure you do not close this page until the video has finished uploading or it will not finish.
• Once the video has finished uploading it will need to spend some time processing on YouTube's servers before it is ready for viewing online. You'll be able to watch it process at the top of the page. Once it reaches 100%, you'll see a link at the top of the screen that you can click to view your video.
• When you're on your video's page, you'll be able to watch it and share it. You'll find a button labeled "Share" underneath the video that will provide you with a link to send to other people and a few other sharing options, such as email and Facebook. Congratulations, you've just uploaded your first video to YouTube!

Savers of the Family Archives

We begin this with a very recent true story: Betty, a Home Video Studio customer, brought in thousands of feet of film to be transferred to DVD. It was obvious from her packing, her careful labeling, and even the spreadsheet she used to classify everything that this collection was her pride and joy. Memories dating as far back as 1940 included birthdays, weddings, vacations, and school activities. Lo and behold, as the film was being prepared for transfer it was discovered that over half of it had literally turned to powder due to improper storage and the ravages of time. You can imagine the disappointment this customer felt! Don't let this happen to you! At Home Video Studio we have a mission to protect your family's heritage and invaluable documents, in fact, our theme this year is "Savers of the Family Archives." We have seen the effects that natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and fires have on your life's legacy. We know what time and elements can silently do to your most valuable treasures. Take steps today and let us help you digitize all of your photos, videos, documents, mementos, and important papers to a more disaster-proof digital format  whether that's CD, DVD or files onto a hard drive. Think of this as purchasing insurance. The value of preserving these precious items is priceless. How do you get started? The first step is to get organized. Are your effects in order? Are your photos, videos, and/or film organized? Are they in random boxes, unmarked memory cards, on your cell phone, or your flip cam? Where are your important papers? Are they in one place? Don't forget that, as Savers of the Family Archives, we make house calls and can help you categorize your family's artifacts. In addition to all of the memories, there are some very practical documents and records that need to be safeguarded as well. These might include:
Birth Certificates Property titles Citizenship papers Military records Social Security Cards Bank accounts	Wills Insurance policies Passports Powers of attorney Marriage certificates Family tree
When we are finished, you will have all the important artifacts that make up your life digitized and organized on a small, easy and convenient medium and stored in one safe place like a safety deposit box or a fireproof safe! Wouldn't that be comforting to know? Another amazing benefit of this process is that you now have instant access to all the important items in your possession. You can retrieve your favorite photos and make copies for loved ones. You can enjoy videos and film at the touch of a button, and, of course, your personal records are now preserved indefinitely, ready for uncomplicated access in case of an emergency. As Savers of the Family Archives we take your family's treasures very seriously.  Call Home Video Studio today to preserve them for generations to come! Contact Information  Home Video Studio Arthur Zepeda 4844 W. Rialto Ave. Visalia, Ca 93277  (559) 732-3050 / (866) 993-8348

Spring into action with photos on video and DVD

Believe it or not spring is upon us, and now is the time to begin making the red letter days of this season special. Graduation Day, Mother's Day and Anniversaries of spring weddings past are the perfect time to create a unique DVD for everyone to enjoy!

Graduation Day. A time for joy, a time for tears, a time to treasure through the years!

• You have so many wonderful memories of your child's life, and Graduation Day is the time to tell their story in a "Birth to Graduation" Photo Video Keepsake DVD. Imagine those precious memories (the ones now scattered in boxes, closets and basements) given new life in a touching tribute and celebration. Gather those baby pictures, school pictures and prom photos. Find videos of birthdays and Little League. What about certificates and ribbons from past accomplishments? We'll help you blend it all with music, titles and special effects to make a DVD that will never be forgotten.
• Let's not forget the ceremony! The cap, the gown, the nerves, the procession and finally the diploma! You will surely be recording this special event with your video camera. Don't delay in getting it transferred to DVD right away. Your friends and family will definitely want a copy of this!
• The party! Why not video family and friends offering advice and well-wishes and edit it into a DVD that will be cherished for years to come?

Mother's Day. Your Mom has always found creative ways to say "I Love You" like no one else. Now you can return the love with a special Mother's Day video that will be one of a kind! Here are just a few ideas:

• A Mother's Day Photo Video keepsake. How about a photo montage for the whole family to enjoy? We can take your favorite photos of mom, add her favorite music and some titles and produce a masterpiece.
• A Message for Mom. Can you imagine mom's delight if her kids made a video message? A poetry reading, a song or just an impromptu speech of what mom means to them. We can create and edit to your heart's content to make it really special.
• Videos through the Years. You've shot video on vacation, school programs, recitals, camp, graduation, family reunions. That's a lot of video and it's probably on a lot of formats: 8mm film, VHS tape, 8mm tape, Mini DV, Mini Disc. We can take all of your formats and organize it into something special for mom's special day. And what could be more gratifying to mom than seeing her kids grow up before her very eyes?

Anniversaries. Video is a unique and personal way to remember the vows of your special day!

• Is your wedding still on a tape? (but you're not quite sure where?) Now is the time to find it and get it transferred to Archival Platinum DVD  in time for your anniversary!
• How about a special gift this year? A Photo Video Keepsake of your life together "Through the Years" would make a personal and unique anniversary gift.
• Do you have a special "place" or a special song? Nothing is more powerful than images and music blended together to bring back special times.

Are you ready? Call us now and let's get started! The fun will start right away with the selection of your media whether it's photos, slides, video footage, old movie footage or all of the above! Then the creativity will start flowing as you begin to imagine how you want to tell your story, whether it's for your graduate, your mom or your spouse. Then we'll tie your masterpiece all together into a one-of-a-kind work of art! And don't worry if you think you're not the creative type. We stand ready to help you every step of the way!

Don't delay! The red letter days of your life are just around the corner. Make them even more special with video. Call your Home Video Studio today!

Arthur Zepeda

559-732-3050 / 866-993-8348

Transfer Your VHS & 8mm Tape To DVD - Makes A Great Gift!

Believe it or not the Holidays are upon us and we all know that the best gifts for the upcoming season come from the heart. What could be better than getting all your old video tapes transferred to Home Video Studio's Platinum Archival DVDs? It's the perfect gift and one of the most important things you can do for yourself, your kids and/or your grandchildren.

Maybe its been a long time since you and your loved ones enjoyed the memories of those scenes you took long ago because it has become a hassle. You have to find the right cables to connect your camera to your TV, hook it up, figure out which TV setting etc.

Perhaps what you want to watch is somewhere in the middle of one of those tapes in the pile. Wouldn't it be great to give everyone DVDs that they could easily pop in to a player and enjoy anytime and anywhere?

The best thing to do right now is to gather up all your old tape formats - VHS, VHSC, 8mm, and minis - and get here before the Holiday rush. We can answer any questions and help you get started. The key thing is get started now!

Don't worry if some of your tapes appear damaged. We are video tape repair experts and can most likely repair them and get them onto a much more durable source for good!

Once your DVDs are made you have many options for packaging. We have many attractive themes for both DVD labeling and case wraps. Or you can customize your own. Maybe you want a precious family photo on the case. Once again, your imagination is the limit!

The best thing about transferring your videos to DVD is that, once the master DVD is made, copies are a cinch. They are quick to make, inexpensive and always available for that last minute gift.

The more thought you put into this gift the better it will be. Call us today and let's get started putting your memories onto Platinum Archival DVDs for the ultimate Holiday Gift!

Home Video Studio-Visalia

559-732-3050 / 866-993-8348

Video to DVD transfer - How long does it take?

Time is what we want most, but... what we use worst. ~William Penn


Video tapes are transferred in real-time.
As the video is playing the analog video signal is captured and converted to digital video. So a 2 hour video tape would take two hours to be converted into digital.
The VHS video is analog there is no way to transfer the video faster than real-time.
Once the video is digital it can be transferred onto a DVD at the speed of the DVD burner,
e.g. 12x 24x or 36x faster than real-time.

Learn More, Click Here:

We can transfer all of these formats to digital for you!

Thank you and have a great day!

Preserve your most precious documents to DVD

There's a hero in your neighborhood. When you call we are there. When you need us we stand ready. We are Savers of the Family Archives and we exist to preserve your life.
What would happen if a fire, flood, hurricane or other catastrophe took your photos, videos, films, recordings, and important papers? How much of your life is represented by the memories and documentation that these items provide? Can you put a price on these items?

Home Video Studio's Savers of the Family Archives is designed to take all of the precious items that speak of your life and preserve them in a digital format. This makes it easy for you to retrieve them and make extra copies. And if you have new items it's easy to update.

Ready to get started? The first thing to do is get organized. Are your photos organized, or are they randomly stored in boxes? What about important papers? Don't forget your scrapbooks, certificates and other keepsakes.

Here's a master list you might find helpful:

Birth Certificates
Passports
Social Security Cards
Marriage Certificate
Wills
Military Records
Titles Diplomas
Financial Accounts
Tax returns
Insurance Policies
Trust Documents
Mortgage Papers
Unique memorabilia
Citizenship Papers
All of your photos/videos/film (8mm/16mm)
If you need help we make housecalls! We can help you categorize your life's legacy items.
Next we'll copy everything digitally. Now you can store it on DVD, CD or even your iPod or smart phone. Extra copies can be stored in safes, deposit boxes, wherever you need them. Don't wait for tragedy to strike before you try to preserve your life!

Call your Home Video Studio today!

Home Video Studio - Visalia
559-732-3050

Spring is DVD time for your young artist or performer

Your kids have practiced all year! Now its spring, a busy time for children's recitals, performances and presentations. Your grandkids have been rehearsing for months! Just think. You have school musicals, dance recitals, instrument recitals and school concerts. Now, before the curtain rises, make sure you're prepared to capture these once-in-a-lifetime events on video. And after the applause call us to help you present these performances on a silver platter.

Once you've captured the performance on tape here's how we can help:

First of all, let's get the content you have videoed transferred to DVD. Video transfers are our specialty!
Maybe you want to bundle several performances together onto one DVD. Has your child performed recitals or in programs over the years? What if you put them all on one DVD with titles depicting each year?
How about a snappy label with a photograph? Wouldn't a custom menu look great?
Would a portion of this performance be perfect in a PhotoKeepsake of your loved one?
Is your young artist is competing or vying for a scholarship? All the more reason to call us! More and more decision makers are relying on video submissions as a first step in any competition or scholarship. Your artists will be steps ahead with a well produced, edited video that showcases their skills.

And remember. If you want a professional shooting of a performance we can do that too! We have the experience and equipment to deliver high quality video and audio, and we will incorporate your input into our shooting style. Do you envision more than one camera combining different camera angles and placements? Your imagination is the limit as we shoot and produce these one time events!

The young people in your life spend countless hours preparing to perform. Make sure it is enjoyed for years to come! Call us today!

Home Video Studio - Visalia
559-732-3050

Photo Video Keepsake for Graduation

Sneak Peak