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On this page we have tried to answer questions that we think you would want answered, but if the answer to your question isn’t here send us an E-mail or give us a call.
What size prints can I send?
We can work with any size prints up to A4.
Which photos should I include?
If you know what photos you want to include in your DVD Magic Slideshow, that is fine, but here are some additional tips that may help.
Choose pictures that show character and also photos that show the most important stages in someone's life.
Choose a mix between close ups and group photos. Please note that photo quality and time permitting we will look at making some closeups from the photos you submit, having a number of views on one photo can add to the overall effect.
If you can, choose more horizontal shots than vertical shots. The reason for this is that TV screens are wider than they are high, so horizontal shots fill the screen and look much better. Vertical shots will appear on the TV screen with black borders on each side (or will need dramatic cropping). There's not a problem with the borders, but too many vertical shots one after the other won't be as pleasing to look at as horizontal ones.
Stay away from photos that are too small or out of focus, although if it is an important part of the history we will see if we can do anything to improve it.
What are Chapters?
Chapters on a DVD let you play the whole thing or jump to predetermined parts. We will put your photos into logical groups. For example, if the DVD was for a sixtieth birthday and the photos went back to the time of the person's birth, we would most likely have chapters for each stage of their life, with different music for each chapter. When you play it, it is just like the movie DVDs you buy – you can either play the whole thing or jump to your favourite chapter
What are special effect transitions?
Special effect transitions are the way the slide show moves from one picture to the next. Unless you specify otherwise we will use a variety of transition effects as this adds variety to the show. If you do want the same effect throughout the show with a slower song, a fade in/fade out usually looks the best. While, for an up tempo song, a little more livelier transitions may go well.
Can I scan the pictures myself and send them to you?
Yes, and we will charge you at the cheaper digital photo rate.
You may scan them and burn them to a CD or you may upload them to our web server, we will give you instructions on this when you place your order. However, the quality of your scanner will determine the quality of the picture. Basically, how it looks as a scanned in picture is as good as it will be on the DVD, so if your scanner produces grainy pictures it would be better to pay the extra and have us scan them in. If you are scanning them we would prefer that you save them as JPEGS.
Can I send photos to you still in their frames or scrapbooks?
Please remove photos from the frames or scrapbooks prior to sending to us.
Will you digitally crop my photos?
Typically we will not crop each of the photos unless it makes sense to for a better viewing experience
How should I choose the order for my photos to appear?
Unless you request that we choose the order of the photos we will prepare your project in the exact order that you request. You can choose to organise them in two different ways.
For wedding Slide Shows, most people will show pictures of the groom growing up, pictures of the bride growing up, and then pictures of them together.
For other pictures you could do:
1. Chronologically, for example: baby pictures, childhood pictures, high school, , dating, etc
or
2. By theme e.g: eating, moving, vacationing, Mother's side of the family, Father's side of the family, cars he has owned, fancy dresses she has worn etc
How long will each photo appear on the screen?
Each photo will appear for between 3-6 seconds and this will vary depending on the nature of the photos, the tempo of the music and the special effect transitions used. Typically we produce the slideshow so that each chapter starts and ends with the music. However, if you request that each photo must appear for a set time (e.g. Six seconds) we will do this for you and have the music fade in and out.
How should I choose my start and end photos?
Make these your best pictures, as often they will appear in the screen the longest, or will have titles overlaid on them.
Can a photo be used more than once (for example at the start and finish?
Yes, the photo can be used up to three times at no extra cost.
I'm worried about sending my photos, how do I know you will return my photos in the same condition as you received them?
We can understand why you would be worried, because we know how important your photos are. It's because we know how irreplaceable photos and the memories they evoke are that we treat your photos as if they are our own.. To put you further at ease, we employ all manner of precautions to protect your photos (including no liquids or food allowed in the work room). Due to the shipping process being totally outside our control, we do need to ask you to sign a waiver on our order form that absolves us of any responsibility for your materials during the shipping process.
How should I protect my photos while they're in transit?
Package your photos well using hard cardboard on all sides to provide a solid shell for your photos. We also recommend you use a plastic Ziploc bag to contain each section of photographs to protect them from any spillage during the delivery process. If you are still concerned please give us a call and we can discuss further your best options for getting the photos to us.
Do I need to watch the DVD on a computer only?
No, the DVD that we create can be watched with a TV set-top DVD player or a computer equipped with a DVD-ROM drive. All you need to do is to insert the DVD disk into the DVD player and hit play to watch on the TV.
Do I have to manually forward the slides?
No, once you press play button on your DVD player, the slides will move through on their own, it is just like watching a DVD Movie. Also just like a DVD movie we divide it up into chapters that you can select.
Can I create sections in a DVD so I can watch selected sections?
Yes, we can create a menu that points to individual sections of the DVD. You can select the section that you want to watch, and play to watch it.
Can my old black and white photographs be transferred to DVD?
Certainly! We advice transfering as many of your old photographs to DVD to digitally archive them.
Will you return my photographs and music?
Yes, your original source material (music & photos) will be returned to you with your order.
I have some specific questions that I want answered. How can I go about it?
You can E-mail us, or call us and we will be glad to answer all your questions.
How long will it take you to complete my project?
Our typically turn around time is 10 days, but let us know if it is a rush job
How do I send in my photos and music?
Detailed information about submitting your materials can be found in the Order Information section.
What if I don't organise my materials into the order you should record them?
Please try and organise your material before you send them as it will make for the best slide show. Only you know the order you'd like the photos shown. However, if you don't organise them, we'll try our best and generally will put them in chronological order.
What if my DVD doesn't play?
We use the popular DVD-R format that most DVD players support. If your DVD does not play we will do everything we can to give you a solution that will work (i.e. we can do other formats).
Will you keep a copy of my DVD?
We will keep the master of your DVD on file for 1 year, for purposes of reordering unless you specify that we should delete it immediately
What about Photo Retouching?
Time permitting we will do some minor photo retouching of digital images to enhance the DVD Photographs experience. This will include color correction, cropping, straightening, red-eye correction and enhancing the detail and lighting when needed.
Can I pick my own music?
You can pick your own music for inclusion on the DVD. To include copyrighted music you must own the original recording to be used in your production. If you prefer to use our music we have a wide range of tracks and we have an APRA license that allows us to use them on your DVD. We can make suggestions as to suitable tracks.
Can I include memorabilia as well as photographs?
Yes. We can use other types of paper media that can be digitized on our flatbed scanners. This would include items such as announcements, newspaper articles, brochures, flyers, ticket stubs, cards and letters, licenses or just about anything you can imagine.
Can I order additional copies of my DVD?
Yes. At the time of purchase you can order additional copies of the DVD We will also keep products on file for 1 year and you may reorder any time during that period. The cost for additional DVD's is just $12.00
Can I add voice messages to the production?
Yes. You can provide us with the recording and instructions on how to use the recording or you can tell us what you would like us to add and where it should be added. You can provide us this recording in any format that you like (CD, Audio Tape, .MP3, .WAV). Please contact us for additional information if you would like to do this.
Can I add video to the DVD?
Yes, we can add video footage at the start or finish or as separate chapters within the DVD
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