Transfer:
Digitize microMV Videotape
Yes. Customers can digitize MicroMV videotapes like any other videotape. Professionals prepare, capture, edite, and encode all videotape conversions using the same processes, using much of the same equipment and software used for VHS to digital, VHS-C to digital, Hi8 to digital, and miniDV to digital.
The one critical piece of equipment unique to microMV digital conversion projects is the player. Unlike all of the other videotape formats, professional videographers didn’t use microMV cameras. Each of the other formats had the option of playing its version of videotape through videotape decks. Each format had its own deck to replay videotape.
Formats used before microMV could optionally play back through the camera that recorded it, but microMV videotape requires microMV cameras for viewing. There is no other option.
Before You Begin to Digitize microMV Videotape
If you are using a professional service like Reborn Audio Video to convert your microMV tapes, the first and most important step is: DO NOTHING!
Unless you have been watching your microMV regularly and recently through a camera, then the risk of tape damage is very high if you ‘check it out’ before converting. An unused old tape player might break or eat your tape.
It is also possible that the tape tension has deteriorated since its last use and will not play at all, giving the appearance of a blank tape. Unrestored tension risks throwing away a perfectly good video, mistaken for blank tape.
Prepare Videotape to Digitze microMV
Assuming that there is no unusual damage to the microMV videotape, then “packing” the tape is the most important step before capturing it.
Packing videotape means to fast-forward the tape to the very end and then rewind it to the beginning. This process improves the tension for the entire tape by eliminating slack.
Tapes can lose tension in several ways. When videotaping an original clip, recording clips using only part of the tape, rewinding, and viewing before continuing increases slakness in the tape. If many clips are recorded on the same tape while stopping the tape between clips, then slick increases. When you watch only part of a videotape before rewinding, slack can accumulate. Tapes stored for a long time will become slack, especially if stored after playing partway without rewinding.
Capturing Videotape to Digitize microMV
If there is no way to play a videotape, including microMV, then there is currently no way to convert the tape into digital format. The availability and quality of tape players are critical to the transfer process.
As the tape is playing in a microMV camera, the audio/video output is connected to a digital conversion device, also called a “box”. The conversion box translates the analog input from the camera into a digital output that feeds into a computer.
There are many options for converter boxes. Simple DIY options are available very inexpensively, while professionals will use converter boxes costing several hundred dollars. The difference is the quality of the signal conversion and the options available for resolution, color, and audio selections.
The computer must be equipped with software that captures the signal and converts it into a digital video. The capture computer must have at least ‘average’ CPU and GPU power, but does not have to be at a gaming level. After capture, the video is then ready for editing.
Editing Digitzed Video
Every digitized microMV video needs basic editing to clean up the borders, eliminate empty space at the beginning and/or end, adjust volume levels, and potentially adjust color and lighting.
Some companies will skip this step in favor of total automation, which leaves rough borders and potentially empty space in the digitized product. Many DVDs from old digital conversions have large segments of dead space from this strategy.
Content editing is a separate, optional step. Some people require just a portion of the whole tape. The cheapest and best process for content editing is to capture the entire video, followed by editing the digital video as needed. Most professionals include basic editing with their digitized microMV service, while content editing adds cost to the project.
The quality of the editing computer is comparable to a mid- to high-level gaming computer. The computer’s CPU and GPU must be able to process large amounts of data in a reasonable time. Professionals will use two different computers for capture and editing. For large projects, captured digital video is edited simultaneously with videotape capture.
Encoding microMV Video Into Your Format
Once all edits are complete, the resulting video is encoded to apply the edits, resulting in digitized video ready for customer use. Transfering microMV to mp4 is the most widely used format, but other formats are also available depending on the customer’s needs.
Convert MicroMV to Digital: Get Started
- Call or text Jamey: 720 204-5464
- Set an appointment (every project receives my personal attention)
- Drop off your tapes (and records, cassettes, slides, or negatives, too)
- Pick up your new digitized video in a week or less.
