I need to find someone who can convert VTR tapes to DVD?
I have 6 VTR master tapes from an old TV show we used to have on Public Access. I'm looking for a way to get them converted to DVD so I can share them with friends. I tried doing internet searches, but there's only one company that comes up and they're in Japan. Does anyone have a source for this in the USA?
2008-01-26T16:32:03Z
I'm 99% sure they're 3/4" U-matic tapes. I didn't know that VTR was a general term, sorry about that. (They're in storage though, so I can't check).
We have documentation to show we hold rights to have them copied, we just can't sell them.
Marc X2008-01-26T15:42:21Z
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VTR? That's an old broadcasting term. Do you mean 3/4" U-matic? Or older, 1-inch helical or even 2" quadraplex?
Since such equipment is obsolete, it's going to be hard to find anyplace that has it. Problem with professional duplicating services is that they're legitimately concerned with copyright issues. Even if you or they are in the right, potential litigation costs to defend it can be astronomical and easier to just avoid.
I'm making an assumption that you're in the U.S. Look up in your yellow pages under Video Transfer or Video Duplication. Any mid-size city or larger should have at least one company that provides such a service, even with old media. (They still do 16mm film transfers.) You'll have to talk to someone there in person and it's POSSIBLE that they might accommodate you. Be prepared that cost will probably be in the vicinity of $40 per hour and your transfers will have to be done in real-time PLUS.
You need somebody who can play the tapes. Capturing them and digitizing them can be done on almost any mini-DVD camera or a capture card. VTR covers many many formats. If you have a standard format (VHS, Beta or U-Matic) there should be no problem. If you have a very weird format (like from the 1950's) you may have a difficult search.