Q. Can I edit the video files on the DVD?
A. Technically yes -- but practically no. The VOB MPEG video that a DVD contains is difficult to convert to an editable file. Once converted, it can be edited but the image quality really suffers when the video is re-rendered. If you plan to edit the digital version from your video transfer you should have us transfer the video to a hard drive in an uncompressed AVI or Quicktime file format.

Q. What type of video file do you put on a hard drive?
A. When we transfer video to a hard drive it is always captured in broadcast quality DV encoded AVI or Quicktime video so that the customer can easily edit the video file without a loss in picture quality.

Q. How much hard drive space is required for the video files?
A. Compressed DV encoded video files require roughly 13GB of hard drive space for every 1 hour of video.

Q. Will you edit out large portions of video that I don't want on the DVD or hard drive?
A. Our transfer service is a straight transfer from one media to another. If you would like scenes removed or changed you will need to schedule an editing appointment.

Q. How much video fits on a DVD disc?
A. 2 hours at the highest quality. It’s possible to squeeze in more at the expense of video quality, but we don’t recommend it.

Q. How long will DVD's last?
A. The life span of a recorded disc depends upon such things as the properties of the materials used in the disc's construction, its manufactured quality and its physical handling and storage. The disc manufacturer we use carried out an accelerated age testing by subjecting samples of its discs to environments that are beyond those experienced under normal storage conditions. Based on their extensive age testing, they believe their discs will last about 100 years.

Q. My video tape is damaged – can I still have it transferred?
A. Yes. We can usually overcome the more common types of physical damage like broken shells or creased/twisted tape with no problems. We may not be able to recover everything on the tape but we try to rescue the undamaged sections. There is an additional charge for this service.

Q. Will my video look better when it is transferred to DVD?
A. Over the long haul, yes. Your first step towards preservation is getting your old degrading analog video off its original source and applied to longer-lasting digital media. We use professional video equipment along with advanced color correction which helps the picture tremendously.

Q. I saw a home movie transfer service on the Internet that will transfer 2 hours of video for only $10! Should I use them?
A. With Perfect Image Video, you get MUCH more than what you pay for! Other services charge varying rates for different lengths of video, and we have heard plenty of horror stories from customers regarding the quality of the transfer performed. Additionally, sometimes these companies will not transfer multiple tapes to DVD's, or they offer NO custom packaging. With Perfect Image Video, you get a flat-rate per transfer, and we are known for discounts! The more tapes you have, the less you pay per disc. We feel that we offer a fair price for the excellent work we do, and our prices are in line with reputable competitors.

Q. Where are you located?
A. We are located in San Diego, CA.

San Diego

Alpine, Balboa Park, Bonita, Cardiff, Carmel Mountain, Chula Vista, Clairemont, Del Mar, Escondido, El Cajon, Encinitas, Fallbrook, Hillcrest, Imperial Beach, Jamul, Kearny Mesa, La Jolla, La Mesa, Lakeside, Lemon Grove, Linda Vista, Mira Mesa, Miramar, Mission Beach, Mission Valley, National City, North Park, Ocean Beach, Oceanside, Old Town, Pacific Beach, Point Loma, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos, Sorrento Valley, Rancho Santa Fe, San Carlos, San Marcos, Santee, Scripps Ranch, Serra Mesa, Solana Beach, Spring Valley, Temecula, Tierrasanta, Torrey Pines, University City, Vista