FAQ

A. We provide digital imaging solutions to consumers, professionals and corporations. Our solutions consist of products and services that allow our customers to:

Preserve and secure their existing pictures and videos on an optical disk such as DVD and CD.
View their existing pictures and videos with the convenience that home DVD players and computers provide.
Create new viewing experience, such as slide shows and video presentations, from their exiting images.
Restore, print and preserve old pictures that have aged or been damaged.
Retouch and enhance pictures to correct defects and add, remove or modify objects in the picture.

Q. What can Picture Perfect Solutions do for me?

A. Since our solutions consist of a wide range of products and services you may find that one of the following is what you are looking for:

If you are a consumer:

1. If you or a family member has a box of slides, negatives or prints stored away, you should consider transferring them to DVD or CD before they fade or are lost or destroyed. These pictures are your family heritage and won’t last forever unless they are preserved. Digital image preservation is a cost effective and reliable method if done right. Be sure you have your pictures transferred with a process that gets the maximum detail from the original. That's what we do at Picture Perfect Solutions.

2. If you have an old photo that is already faded, cracked, creased, stained, torn or otherwise damaged we can remove many of these defects and produce a digital image and print that you will be proud to display and share.

3. If you have home videos, consider having them transferred to disk. Older videos fade and can break, not to mention become obsolete and inconvenient. Transferring your videos to DVD or CD is more important now than ever before. We can perform straight transfers (copies on disk) of your video, as well as custom editing to combine images from multiple sources and formats to meet your needs.

4. If you have a special event or celebration, such as an anniversary, wedding, birthday or tribute it will be enhanced by a video presentation. We can create it for you. You will have a memorable video to show at the event as well as share copies with friends and family.

If you are involved in a photography or video related business:

1. Our custom services allow you to focus your time on shooting the pictures and building your customer base while increasing your revenue by offering additional products and services. We can take your images add transitions, titles, music and special effects to create a dazzling multimedia presentation of your work that you can offer to your clients. You can be as involved with the production as you like or turn it over to us to do the complete job.

2. If you are producing a lot of photographs and need a cost effective, high quality custom service to archive your images, we can scan, process and archive your images at a resolution up to 4000 dpi.

3. If you have photographs that are damaged or marginal we will provide restoration, retouching and enhancing to repair these problems.

If you are a company or institution:

1. If your company has its products, members or events stored on photos and video, consider transferring them to disk. These are valuable memories and important historical documents that should be preserved and secured.

2. If you are planning a special event we can produce a video presentation to your requirements, to increase the impact of your message.

3. If your customers and clients are purchasing photo, art or video related products or services you have the opportunity to increase your profits and customer satisfaction by offering them additional services and products. Our products and service are of interest to people involved with genealogy, events, photography, pictures and art. If you have a related business then you should consider increasing your revenue from pull-through sales of your products when you offer services and products by Picture Perfect Solutions.

Technical

Q. What does “resolution” mean?

A. The resolution determines the amount of detail from the original picture that is captured and stored in a digital copy of your images. Higher resolutions capture more detail. The type and quality of the original picture and the intended use of the digital image determine the appropriate resolution. We will work with you to determine the proper resolution that we will use to digitize your pictures.

Q. What does “digital image format” mean?

A. After your pictures are digitized (converted to digital images) and processed the digital copy is stored on a disk, CD or DVD. Just like a document is stored on a disk your photo is stored on disk. So that your pictures on the disk can be displayed, printed or shared, it must be stored in an appropriate format. We can work with you to determine the proper format for your pictures. Pictures can even be stored on in a DVD format so that they can be viewed on TV using a home DVD player.

Q. What resolution will you use to store my photos?

A. That depends on the quality of the original, the type of the original ie. 35mm or print, and the intended use ie. Viewed as web images or high resolutions images suitable for enlarging and printing. We will work with you to help you determine the resolution. We can scan your original image at a resolution up to 4000 DPI, enough to capture all the detail of the original.

Q. What digital image format do you store on disk?

A. Almost all popular formats including the most popular .tiff, .jpg, .gif.

Q. How many photos can be stored on a disk?

A. It depends on the format used to store the image, and the resolution. Typical ranges are:

DVD disks can hold 250 to 500 high quality pictures.

CD disks can hold 40 to 100 high quality pictures.

Restoring, Retouching and Enhancing Photos

Q. What's the difference between restoring, retouching and enhancing?

A. These methods are explained below. These methods are often combination meet your expectations of a perfect picture.

Restoring is performed on a picture that has age or become damaged. Fading occurs due to age, damage occurs dues to handling and storage. Restoring an old photo combines very detailed work using a graphic imaging software applications and refined artistic skills.
Retouching a photo is necessary when the original image needs to be altered. Objects may be added, removed or modified.
Enhancing a photo is needed to correct pictures taken under poor conditions or to correct film processing errors.

Q. How much does it cost to have my old picture restored? How much does it cost to have a picture retouched or enhanced?

A. Each situation is unique. Prices range from $5.00 to $200.00 or more. Many restorations can be done for $50.00 or less. The severity of damage and level of restoration that you desire determines the cost. You can get a good idea of how to classify your picture by looking at the examples at our web site. We will be glad to offer a free estimate and answer your questions.

Q. How do I preserve my restored picture?

A. Since we digitize your picture, we can provide you with a disk containing your digital picture. The digital copies will never fade or crack and since we can make several copies you don’t have to worry about loosing your only picture. Our high quality prints of your restored picture will last a minimum of 25 years with proper handling. If you make a print on a home inkjet printer you may see fading in as little as 2 years.

Photo Transfers and Slideshows

Q. What are Photo Transfers?

A. Your slides, negatives and prints are scanned at an appropriate resolution to capture all the detail of the original picture and processed to restore the color and remove scratches and dirt then stored on DVD or CD disks.

Q. Why do I need to transfer my photos to disk?

A. You, your parents or grandparents knew these pictures were important enough to keep around for the last 30+ years so don’t let them fade away or become destroyed now. As an additional benefit once your pictures are stored on disk, you will enjoy viewing them and can share your family heritage captured in these pictures.

Q. How much does it cost to transfer my photos to disk?

A. Prices range from $0.70 to $1.00 per image depending on the quantity and level of processing performed to your pictures.

Q. My online photo service will store my images so that I can see them online. Why do I need to have them stored on disk?

A. Online services are OK for viewing your pictures on a computer monitor but that’s about it. Your pictures are important family heritage documents only high resolutions scanning and professional processing can preserve the detail of the original for printing and sharing your pictures.

Q. How long will it take to complete my transfer order?

A. Once we receive all your pictures we strive to process them within 10 days. Large orders may take extra time. We will update you on your order status.

Q. How do I send my pictures to you?

A. Your slides, negatives and prints should be in a suitable container so that they do not shift around during shipping. Make sure the container is sealed so that the packing material does not shed dirt onto your pictures. Include a copy of your order and instructions in each box shipped.

Q. I want my pictures sorted and saved on disk. Can you do that?

A. We will attempt to fulfill your instructions with your order. If you have special needs please contact us for assistance.

Q. Can you print pictures from my slides and negatives?

A. Yes, we print pictures that will not fade over time like those produced from home inkjet printers.

Video Transfers and Authoring

Q. Why do I need to transfer my videos to DVD or CD?

1. “My camcorder just died. What do I do now?”

2. Do you have a closet or shelf full of home videos that you never watch?

3. Do you want to share your special video with friends and family?

4. Are you worried about loosing everything in a disaster?

5. “My videos are older than 5 years and they don't look very good anymore. Do I need a new VCR?”

6. “My relative died and there is a box of videos and pictures that nobody is sure what to do with…”

7. “I want to be able to quickly jump to the scene that I want to see without rewinding and fast forwarding my video tape.”

8. “I have a special occasion coming up and would like to show off the memories that I taped or took pictures of.”

Q. What is Authoring?

A. Authoring is the process of creating chapters, background music and thumbnail images for the scenes on a DVD. DVD menus can be very simple or made very complex depending on the amount of interactivity available to the viewer.

Q. My camcorder died. Should I buy a digital or analog camcorder so I can watch the videotapes I have already?

A. You are faced with the same decision many others and I have had to make and it is a confusing one. There is a lot to consider and you have identified a very important issue - format compatibility, but additional issues to consider are outlined below:

Format compatibility

VHS and VHS-C tapes are not compatible with any of the digital formats. If you choose digital camcorder you will be relying on your VCR to watch your tapes.

8mm and Hi-8 tapes are only compatible with Sony's Digital8 camcorders and you can only play them back. If your camcorder has died, your tapes cannot be played in a VHS VCR. You cannot record or edit your 8mm and Hi-8 tapes in a Digital8 camcorder.

Lifespan

The Analog (VHS, VHS-C, 8mm, Hi-8) formats loose their quality over time. In just a few years the loss is great enough to see. Eventually the quality of the signal on the tape will be so poor that the tape will not be playable.

Quality

Digital tapes offer great video and sound quality but still have the inconvenience of needing to be played by the camcorder. You are still burdened with rewinding and fast-forwarding the tape to find the scene you want.

Convenience

All consumer tape formats and equipment require you to search for what you want to see. Only DVD and CD offer a menu of scenes to select from.

Q. What are Transitions, Titles, Chapters and Still Image Insertions?

1. Transitions are special effects placed between scenes. The most common transitions are ‘fade to black’ and ‘cross fade’. These transitions are often used on commercial TV. Many more transitions are available and can greatly enhance the viewing of home videos and photos that have been transferred to disk.

2. Titles are text and graphic screens that are inserted into a video. Titles are used to tell the view what the video is about and who is in it. Any text or graphic can be used as a title but due to the TV screen quality the amount of text on the screen at one time should be minimized. Scrolling titles are a good way of showing a lot of information that is readable on a TV. Any number of titles can be added but too many will distract the viewer experience.

Q. How do I choose which Video Transfer package to use?

A. If you have decided upon transferring your videos to disk, then consider the cost vs. benefit tradeoff between an exact copy of your video with the added benefits of chapter menus to aid you in finding scenes, compared to having your video enhanced with titles, special effects and music for a more pleasing viewing experience for yourself and others that you might be sharing it with. Some general guidelines are:

1. Home videos taken of everyday events are suitable for our most cost effective package the Basic package.

2. Special event videos such as weddings, anniversaries, reunions, birthdays and corporate events are more suited for the Custom package.

3. Video that represent the status or quality of an individual; product or corporate image with demanding requirements should consider the Pro package.

Q. Is the quality as good as the original?

A. In most cases you wont notice any difference with video stored on DVD. Video stored on CD is stored in various formats and some of the formats will show some effects of the lower resolution and image breakup. Video stored on DVD with our Basic package may occasionally show small visual effects in very fast moving scenes. Since these effects typically occur in undesirable home video scenes, you may never notice them. The effect you may see will look similar to the image breakup you may have seen when watching satellite TV.

Q. Can you print pictures from my videos?

A. Yes we can, but the image quality will never be as good as a photograph. Pictures printed from video are very dependent on the environmental conditions such as lighting and movement. We will enhance the image to produce the best picture possible.

Q. Will my DVD play on my computer and home player?

A. Yes, if you have a DVD player purchased in the last 12 months, possibly if you purchased your DVD player before that. Check with this compatibility guide to see if your older player is listed.

Q. How do I send my videos to you?

A. Your videos should be sealed in a plastic bag and placed in a box, which has plenty of packing material. If you are sending more than 4 tapes then it will be best to pack no more than 4 per box. Be sure to place your tapes in a plastic bag to seal out dirt created from packing material. Place your instructions and a copy of your completed order form in each box.

Q. How long will it take to get my DVD and tapes back?

A. We cannot guarantee the turnaround time however we strive to complete each transfer order within 1 week. We will notify you of the progress should our processing times exceed this time.

Q. Can you customize my DVD with clips from several videos?

A. Yes, this service is available with our Pro transfer package.

Celebration and Event Video Presentations

Q. What's a Celebration or Event Video Presentation?

A. We set your pictures and videos to music adding transitions, titles and special effects and then store them on DVD, CD or Video Tape. We combine our creativity and technical skills to produce a presentation to your requirements.

Q. Can you make my video presentation from photos and video?

A. Yes, you can send us prints, slides, negatives and video and we will produce a dazzling presentation from them.

Q. What music can I put with my video?

A. You choose or let us pick from our stock.

Q. Can you store my video on VHS?

A. Yes if you really want us to. If you compare the quality, convenience and durability of DVD we suggest you choose DVD.

Q. How much does it cost?

A. The price will vary based on your requirements and source material provided. As a guide a simple but effective 5 -15 min presentation stored on a DVD with a few transitions and titles will cost around $75.00 to $150.00. This type of presentation is suitable for families wishing to honor a loved one or as a gift to celebrate an occasion. Don't let the low prices lower your expectations. We know your event is important and want you to be proud of this important contribution.

Q. How long will it take?

A. This depends on the size and complexity of the production. We will be glad to give an estimate for your presentation.

Q. Can you make copies for my family members?

A. Yes, in most cases. Please call us to discuss your specific requirements for your presentation.