TO DIGITAL VIDEO; DVD, MP4, AVI, PRORES, DNX, MOV & upscaling to high definition (HD) or Ultra high definition (UHD) FROM 8cm, 12cm, 20cm and 30cm CD/CDV/LD LASERDISCS


We use a TBC (time base corrector) and AVDC (Audio/video digital converter) which helps hue and sharpness, eliminate picture jitter and time base errors from laserdisc playback and insure a stable on-screen image. The audio is linked directly by optical fibre for original quality sound.

We perform a straight conversion of the “movie” or main portion of the CD/CDV/LD laserdisc in real-time. No “bonus” or “special features” are recorded.

ALL PRICES LISTED ARE IN CANADIAN DOLLARS – ATTENTION USA CUSTOMERS; YOUR DOLLAR IS WORTH MORE! SEE: CURRENCY EXCHANGE

PRICES LISTED ARE A BASIC COST PER SERVICE, CONTACT US FOR AN ESTIMATE OR QUOTE BASED ON YOUR VOLUME. DISCOUNTS ON QUANTITY. LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE. 

OPTION#1

UPCONVERSION (UPSCALING) TO HIGH DEFINITION (HD) VIDEO IN MP4 (H.264)

UPCONVERTING LASERDISC MOVIES TO HD IN MP4 – Using the Blackmagic-Design Teranex 2D & AV Processors is an advanced-quality standards converter as well as video format converter and capture and playback device all-in-one. As a standards converter, it can convert from most any television format to any other television format in the highest quality. Conversions are indistinguishable from the original master.

SD TO HD: If wanting files in High Definition from your Standard Definition laserdisc video, it can be upscaled “upconverted”. SD 4:3 format videos upscaled using a VIDEO SCALER to 720P 1280 x 720 OR option to go to 1080 HD, 2K or UHD in “Widescreen” or standard square format, If your laserdisc is widescreen format it maintains the correct aspect of the laserdisc. Scalers are used to convert a signal from a lower resolution (such as 480 standard definition  (SD) laserdiscs) to a higher resolution such as HD high definition, a process known as “upconversion” or “upscaling”. 

FILE SIZE: The files can be placed on media such as portable hard drives, High Speed 3.0 USB Thumb/Flash Drives/Sticks or SD Cards (Class 10). Example: MP4 (H.264) at 720P approximate 10 GB per hour of storage.

ONE HOUR LASERDISC TO MP4 (H.264) IN HD 720P 1280 X 720 (OPTION TO 1080, 2K or UHD AT ADDITIONAL COST). $75.00 per hour, one hour MINIMUM CHARGE – DISCOUNTS ON QUANTITY – PRICING IN CANADIAN DOLLARS
NOTE:  This is a straight conversion of the laserdisc. We can only convert the original NTSC laserdisc with optical or stereo sound track and picture during conversion and will not select specific audio or video features. PRICING: Is based on a per hour bases and by your quantity (Huge discounts on quantity). Discs shorter than 30 minutes are rounded UP to nearest 30 minutes and are then billed by each source and/or by the hour after the first one hour minimum charge.

DVD BLU RAY OPTION: AFTER CREATING MP4 HD FILE WE CAN CREATE A BLU RAY ARCHIVAL PRESERVATION DVD MASTER  FROM THE LASERDISC. We perform a conversion of the movie or main portion of the laserdisc by converting the movie first to MP4 in HD, and then create a Blu Ray master. COST: $75.00 PER DISC.

OPTION#2

LASERDISC VIDEO TO AVI FILE FORMAT

CAPTURE VIDEO AND DIGITALLY CREATE AVI FILE FORMAT FOR EDITING THESE FILES ON YOUR COMPUTER Capture video in real-time and create AVI files from your laserdisc for editing on your computer.

Using the Blackmagic-Design Teranex 2D & AV Processor is an advanced-quality standards converter as well as video format converter and capture and playback device all-in-one. As a standards converter, it can convert from most any television format to any other television format in the highest quality. Conversions are indistinguishable from the original master. These are RAW Lossless compression video files called, Audio-Video Interleaved (AVI) file (DV TYPE 1 AVI files) at a bit rate of 25.0 Mbps and a display size of 720 x 480 (480P) in a video format of NTSC, unless you have 16:9 widescreen or HD footage then we can discuss these options. AVI files are the standard in the video/film industry for analog capture of 720 x 480 video tape and are used for editing in a computer or viewing in standard Windows format viewing software and compatible Mac software.

The laserdisc is converted to lawless AVI. We perform a straight conversion of the “movie” or main portion of the laserdisc in real-time. No “bonus” or “special features” are recorded.

The files can be placed on media such as portable hard drives, High Speed 3.0 USB Thumb Drives or Class 10 SD Cards. AVI file size is approximately 12 GB per hour.

ONE HOUR LASERDISC TO A THUMB DRIVE OR HARD DRIVE (USB thumb or hard drive not included). $65.00 per hour, one hour MINIMUM CHARGE – DISCOUNTS ON QUANTITY – PRICING IN CANADIAN DOLLARS
NOTE:  This is a straight conversion of the laserdisc. We can only convert the original NTSC laserdisc with optical or stereo sound track and picture during conversion and will not select specific audio or video features. PRICING: Is based on a per hour bases and by your quantity (Huge discounts on quantity). Discs shorter than 30 minutes are rounded UP to nearest 30 minutes and are then billed by each source and/or by the hour after the first one hour minimum charge.

OPTION#3

LASERDISC DIRECT TO DVD ARCHIVAL PRESERVATION MASTERS

INCLUDES: CORRECT VIDEO SIGNAL LOSS OR UNSTABLE IMAGES & AUDIO ENHANCEMENT. 100 YEAR ARCHIVAL QUALITY DVD, CASE,PRINTING DIRECT ON DISC AND MAIN TITLE/MENU.

LASERDISC CONVERSION DIRECT TO DVD FROM (NTSC): LASERDISC TO (NTSC) DVD. We use a built in TBC (time base corrector) and AVDC (Audio/video digital converter) which helps hue and sharpness, eliminate picture jitter and time base errors from laserdisc playback and insure a stable on-screen image. The audio is linked directly by optical fibre for perfect sound. Our laserdisc player/dvd recorder has quick auto reverse with seamless switching between both sides of the disc (no manually flipping the disc over). This is a straight copy from laserdisc to DVD and recorded in “real-time” and no editing is done. NOTE: This is a straight conversion of the laserdisc. We can only convert the original NTSC laserdisc with optical or stereo sound track and picture during conversion and will not select specific audio or video features on the disc.

DIRECT TO DVD PRICING – PRICING IN CANADIAN DOLLARS

ONE LASERDISC – UP TO 2 HOURS (one hour per side), TO ONE DVD  (MINIMUM CHARGE) $50.00
TWO TO FOUR  DISCS – UP TO TWO HOURS; EACH ON THEIR OWN DVD $45.00 Each
FIVE TO TEN DISCS – UP TO TWO HOURS; EACH ON THEIR OWN DVD $40.00 Each
Discs longer than 2 hours, a per hour charge applies.
We perform a straight conversion of the “movie” or main portion of the laserdisc in real-time.  No “bonus” or “special features” are recorded , no editing is done. Laserdiscs are converted to the maximum length of the DVD master of 2 hours at SP Speed.

OPTION#4

PRORES .MOV (Quicktime) OR DNX (MXF) DIGITAL FORMATS

Your choice of incredible quality ProRes or DNx recorded in QuickTime and MXF file formats.

Conversion/capture in real-time to the “native” aspect ratio of the tape or “Upconvert” to HD 720, 1080 & 2K or UHD using Texanex processors and HyperDeck studio decks.

Plus, the ProRes files are compatible with software such as DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro X and more or viewing on Quicktime.

Codec choices in QuickTime and MXF: ProRes 422 Proxy, ProRes LT, DNxHD 45 or DNxHR LB. 10-bit codecs such as ProRes 422 HQ, DNxHR HGX or DNxHD 220x. ProRes 422, DNxHR SQ or DNxHD 145 or OP-1A DNx MXF files. H.264 in various Video Formats, Bit rate settings and Bit rate (Mb/s).

DIGITAL CINEMA FILE SAMPLE SIZES SD FOOTAGE UPCONVERTED TO 720P 59.94 FPS, BIT-DEPTH; 10-BIT IN .MOV:

PRORES 422 HQ (HIGHEST) = 99GB PER HOUR

PRORES 422 (EXTREME) = 66GB PER HOUR

PRORES 422 LT = 40GB PER HOUR

PRORES 422 PROXY = 26GB PER HOUR

A QuickTime movie file uses a .mov file extension.

ONE HOUR LASERDISC TO 720P PRORES .MOV (Quicktime) file 422 Proxy $75.00 per hour, one hour MINIMUM CHARGE FOR PRORES 422 PROXY – LARGER FILE FORMATS ADDITIONAL COST – PRICING IN CANADIAN DOLLARS
NOTE:  This is a straight conversion of the laserdisc to Prores Proxy (additional charge for larger Prores or other professional video formats). We can only convert the original NTSC laserdisc with optical or stereo sound track and picture during conversion and cannot select specific audio or video features. PRICING: Is based on a per hour bases and by your quantity (Huge discounts on quantity). Discs shorter than 30 minutes are rounded UP to nearest 30 minutes and are then billed by each source and/or by the hour after the first one hour minimum charge.

OUR SUPPLIED MEDIA PREFERRED: Thumb/Flash drives/sticks, hard drives. When using these media storage products we use only the Best Possible Media required for fast transfer upload and download speeds and to avoid any errors in the files. We can only use customer supplied media if it meets our specifications. No warranty or Guarantees on customer supplied media.

IMPORTANT! – TYPE OF DISCS THAT WE DO NOT CONVERT

NOTE: We can not & do not, convert “Capacitance Electronic Disc System” (CED) or HI-Vision LD from Japan or LaserActive discs or ANY (PAL/SECAM) LaserDiscs or Karaoke Laserdisc.

We can only convert the original NTSC laserdisc with optical or stereo sound track and picture during conversion and do not select specific audio or video features. Before sending your Laserdisc to us for conversion please check to see if it is compatible with our conversion services. You can email us photos of the discs & provide details.

We do not convert Capacitance Electronic Disc System discs or CED. They are of similar size to an LP or laserdisc but are in a protective plastic caddy. The format was commonly known as “videodisc” (VHD), leading to much confusion with Laserdisc (LD) format, which is mutually incompatible with this format. If your disc says “Capacitance Electronic Disc System” on the cover please do not send it to us. These are a very rare analog disc system launched in 1981 and discontinued in 1984 and from the research we have done we have found no companies that can provide this service and no systems that are available for sale. The playback quality of these discs would be VERY poor and not worth converting to DVD.

We do not convert  HI-Vision LD Launched in Japan a new era of high-definition laserdisc launched in 1991- the first upgrade to depart completely from the original 1978 NTSC LD specification  In September 1991 five major Japanese manufacturers – Matsushita (Panasonic), Pioneer, Sanyo, Sony, Toshiba – announced specifications for a new domestic LD format based on the 1125 line Hi-Vision system. If your disc says “HI-VISION LD” on the cover please do not send it to us.

We do not convert “LaserActive” discs. These are game or interactive laserdiscs and required a specific machine for playing.

We do not convert Karaoke Laserdisc. We can’t and no one can convert a Karaoke Laserdisc. Best to see if you can buy a player if you want to be able to use these special discs.

We do not convert “PAL/SECAM” type Laserdiscs. All discs must be NTSC North American video standard and have no copyright protection within the disc.

ENCODED DISCS: LASERDISCS ENCODED WITH AN ANTI-COPYING PROCESS. Please check your disc, if it says “MACROVISION” or “Encoded with an anti-copying process” we may not be able to convert it. We do have the ability to remove anti-copying processes on some discs during conversion at additional cost.

LASERDISC ORIGINAL QUALITY INFORMATION

Laserdisc is an older technology. It offered a better picture and better sound than VHS videotapes, and it is comparable to DVD for it’s ease of use, but the laserdisc format is analog; DVDs are digital. Laserdiscs were mainly used for pre-recorded movies or video music, and they are much larger in size, most discs are 12 inches in diameter (size of a record album), instead the 5-inch diameter of DVD discs. Laserdiscs can be recorded on both sides of the disc, one side can hold up to 1 hour (maximum 2 hours on both sides).

Since Laserdiscs can only hold an hour on each side, you have to flip the disc to watch the other side, although there are some players that have quick reverse.

Laserdiscs can sometimes suffer “laser rot” — the aluminum side of the disc oxidizes, and the quality of the disc deteriorates, causing picture noise, drop outs and other playback issues. We can not correct or restore Laser rot.

SERVICES WE NO LONGER PROVIDE WHEN CONVERTING LASERDISCS

No longer available: LASERDISC RECOVERY & RESTORATION OF DAMAGED DISCS: LASERDISC RESTORATION: (FOR LASERDISCS WITH SERIOUS PLAYBACK ISSUES) VIDEOTAPE SIGNAL LOSS OR UNSTABLE IMAGES. We can eliminate picture jitter and time base errors from video playback and insure a stable on-screen image through the use of dual-field full-frame reconstruction.  We can restore distorted or misshapen vertical and horizontal sync and color burst signals. Our professional TBC (Multi-system Time Base Corrector/Frame Synchronizer ) have an integral Processing Amplifier allows the adjustment of Brightness, Contrast, Color Saturation, Hue and Sharpness.  A Digital Comb Filter provides superior video signal decoding and the AGC (Automatic Gain Control) insures a proper one volt output signal from an input signal range of 0.5 to 2.0 volts.

No longer available: Japanese or other country discs that have separate audio selection for “English audio channel” – We only provide the normal selected audio from the two channels from the disc. If your disc is in another language other then English, all we can do is put the disc in and press play and provide a straight conversion.

No longer available: LASERDISC CONVERSION WITH “SPECIAL FEATURES” OR “BONUS FOOTAGE” AND DIRECT CONVERSION TO DVD – ADDITIONAL COST TO THE ABOVE: BONUS FEATURES FROM THE LASERDISC: If there are special features such as “bonus footage” or “additional features” on the laserdisc and you wish to include those on the DVD, then those items need to be recreated.

No longer available: CREATING TITLES & MENUS OF THE LASERDISC. We perform a straight transfer of the movie or main portion of the laserdisc in real-time. If there are special features such as “bonus footage” or “additional features” on the laserdisc and you wish to include those on the DVD, then those items need to be recreated at an additional cost.

No longer available: RE-MASTERING: A straight conversion records only the “movie” portion of the laserdisc and costs much less than re-mastering. Re-mastering is a very involved and can be a costly process because we have to actually take each individual menus and extras or section of the disc and re-create and re-master it. Some laserdiscs let you “play all” which we can do a straight transfer with no breaks or separate menus but most do not. Re-mastering involves taking each menu/special features/extras and re-creating and re-mastering those sections in real time to a computer and then rendering to a DVD. Depending on how many menu/special features/extras there are a two hour disc could take several hours to re-master. It is not unreasonable for this process to cost several hundred dollars. Re-mastering is usually done for companies that have no other master to re-create a DVD for distribution or for those hard core collectors who want to preserve their favorite laserdisc movie that is not available in DVD.

No longer available: BOOST AUDIO OR LOW QUALITY AUDIO ENHANCEMENT DURING CONVERSION, Boost low audio signals and enhance poor recorded audio on a laserdisc.