OT: Pricing quote

jkrepner wrote on 6/20/2005, 7:55 AM
Hey gang, a friend asked me if I could convert 4 tapes to DVD for his business. He hasn't a clue about video or DVD btw.

They have 2 DVCAM tapes, and 2 DVCpro tapes (each on 30 minute tapes I think) that they need converted to DVD.

No editing, no authoring.

Billing as an hourly project seems silly since 99% of the time is spent digitizing and encoding and burning.

Any thoughts are welcomed.

Jeff


Comments

dand9959 wrote on 6/20/2005, 7:59 AM
You could google for sites that do this kind of thing.
A company local to me charges a fixed price per 60 minutes of tape converted to DVD. Pure duplication, no editing, authoring, audio work. Basic B&W label. I think it's $35.
jkrepner wrote on 6/20/2005, 8:12 AM
That's true. There is also the rush factor. They need it ASAP, one must bill for that and most of these tape to DVD places don't combine multiple tapes to one DVD. I know it's a technicality, but hey.



FrigidNDEditing wrote on 6/20/2005, 8:31 AM
I've used a place that's called reel to reel video

They're based out of NYC, and they charge an additional 10 bux for each multiple tape

plus $25 bux a DVD - It would probably come out to be the same one way or the other - but you might get a little more money if you just do a straight up $35/hr

Dave
Liam_Vegas wrote on 6/20/2005, 8:36 AM
Do you have a DVCAM and a DVCPRO deck? Usually companies that handle pro tape formats like that have a minimum fee for each tape.

As DVCAM and DVCPRO decks are not all that cheap (and are expensive to maintain) usually you charge more than you would if it were a VHS tape.

Some places I know of charge $80 per tape.
jkrepner wrote on 6/20/2005, 8:49 AM
I have a DVCAM deck, so I told him I can do the 2 DVCAM tapes, and I *think* a DVCAM deck will play a DVCPRO tape, but I'm not 100% on that one.

Liam, that is a great point. Not that my DSR-11 was that expensive, but since these are professional tapes one must bill accordingly. Most any production company would charge a setup fee to make it worth there time.

Maybe $50 or so per tape.
rs170a wrote on 6/20/2005, 9:04 AM
Jeff, I stand to be corrected but I don't think your DVCAM deck will play DVCPRO tapes. I know it works the other way around but that's because DVCPRO decks use a wider track width (18 microns vs. DVCAM at 15 microns).

This may be the time to consider a standalone DVD recorder. Make sure it's one with a firewire port. This job might even pay for it :-)

Mike
jkrepner wrote on 6/20/2005, 9:09 AM
Damn! Anyone have a DVCPRO deck in the MD, DC, VA area?

Right, I could buy a simple DVD recorder, hit two buttons and be done with it.

Good idea.