Frequently Asked Questions – National Video Centre

Frequently Asked Questions – National Video Centre

Do videos really deteriorate over time?
Yes, they do. Unlike film reels that fade, videotapes are prone to mold, especially in humid environments. The magnetic oxide layer can flake off, causing permanent video loss. It’s best to digitise your tapes as soon as possible. We offer free tape assessments, so feel free to bring yours in and speak to a professional.

My old VHS wedding video got stuck in the VCR after my child pulled some tape out. Can you fix this?
Yes, we can. We regularly repair damaged, broken, or jammed tapes—including those stuck in VCRs or camcorders. If necessary, we can also replace the plastic casing. Damaged tape segments may result in some loss, but most of the footage is usually recoverable. This applies to both video and audio cassettes.

We need to create a slideshow for a friend’s funeral. It’s very urgent—can you help?
Yes, absolutely. We understand how important and time-sensitive this is. We will prioritise your request and do everything we can to meet your deadline. Please call us immediately to arrange an urgent appointment—we’re here to support you.

I have a large tape from the 1980s with my dad’s TV interview. Can you digitise it?
Most likely, it’s a Betacam or U-matic tape—professional formats used by broadcasters at the time. We maintain specialised equipment to play and convert these formats. Bring the tape in, and we’ll assess it for transfer.

Can you enhance or stabilise old video footage when digitising?
Yes, in many cases we can. We use modern tools to reduce noise, stabilise shaky footage, and upscale standard-definition video to HD. While results depend on the original tape quality, improvements are often significant.

Can you digitise MiniDV and Digital8 tapes?
Absolutely. We have the right equipment to handle MiniDV, Digital8, Video8, and other camcorder formats. We can transfer them to digital files or DVDs, depending on your preference.

CDs and DVDs are getting outdated. Should I switch to USB or cloud?
Yes, USB flash drives and cloud links are more modern and user-friendly. However, physical formats like discs or USBs are still valued by many people, especially for gifts or archiving. We can prepare both digital and physical copies for you and help choose what’s best for your audience.

I’ve heard of CD/DVD duplication and replication. What’s the difference?
Duplication involves burning content onto recordable discs—quick and great for small runs or urgent jobs. Replication is a factory process for mass production (500+ discs), where discs are pressed with your content. It takes longer (2–3 weeks) but is more cost-effective for large orders.

I have an urgent job—150 DVDs for a training session. Can you help?
Yes, we can handle that easily. Our industrial-grade duplicators allow us to produce large quantities quickly. We also offer full disc printing and packaging. Most jobs take 2–3 working days, but same-day service is available for urgent requests.

What formats can I get my digitised videos in?
We can provide your videos in formats like MP4, AVI, MOV, DVD, or even archival formats. Whether you’re editing, streaming, or archiving—we’ll recommend the format best suited to your needs.

Can you scan negatives and slides too?
Yes, we offer high-resolution scanning of 35mm slides, negatives, medium-format film, and photos. Great for family collections, heritage archives, or presentation projects.

I have tapes from overseas. Will they work in Australia?
They might not, as other countries often use formats like NTSC or SECAM, while Australia uses PAL. We have multi-standard players and can convert international formats into Australian-compatible digital files.

Do you digitise audio too? I have cassettes, reel-to-reel tapes, LPs—even 78s.
Yes, we do. National Video Centre is Canberra’s most trusted name for audio digitisation. From cassettes to reel-to-reel, vinyl records to 78s—we convert them all to formats like MP3, WAV, or high-resolution audio. We’ve even been recommended by the National Film and Sound Archive.

Can you retrieve data from old floppy disks?
Yes. As obsolete technology specialists, we can attempt to recover documents, photos, and data from old floppy disks and legacy media.

Do you recommend Blu-ray for preserving videos?
Blu-ray is an option, but technology evolves quickly. We recommend backing up your most important videos in multiple formats—such as USB, cloud storage, and external hard drives. Also, never throw away your originals. We can also upscale standard definition footage to HD during the transfer process.

My phone is full of videos from my kids’ concerts. Can you save them somewhere else?
Yes, we can. We transfer videos from mobile phones to flash drives, external hard drives, DVDs, or your computer. Just bring in your phone with any necessary cables—we’ll take care of the rest.

We’re creating a 21st birthday video. Can you help us combine old photos and videos?
Definitely. We specialise in creating “This Is Your Life”-style presentations for birthdays, anniversaries, and memorials. We can scan photographs and slides, digitise old videos, and combine them with music, captions, and voiceovers. Let us help you bring your story to life.