Frequently Asked Questions
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Why should I choose Meatball Video Productions?
We believe it is our personal service and commitment to your satisfaction. We are service focused and love what we do. Before we finalize your project we will post it online for you to preview, your feedback makes the final product that much better. We want to be absolutely certain you love your DVD now and for years to come.
How long will my DVD be?
It will depend on how many photos and/or videos are included in the project. A good reference is listed below. If you want to include video in your project that will add however many minutes of video clips you select.
- 0-75 images equals approximately a 4-5 minute production
- 76-150 images equals approximately a 5-10 minute production
- 150-300 images equals approximately a 10-20 minute production
- 500 images is more than an hour
- 1000 is more than two hours, whew!
Most video productions are between 5 and 20 minutes long, long enough to captivate your audience but not too long to lead to distraction. The final discretion is left up to you.
What size pictures can I send?
We can work with all sizes up to 8×10. The better the quality of the original photos, the better the final product. For not so perfect photos, see Photo Retouching below.
Should I use Vertical or Horizontal images for my project?
Please use horizontal images whenever possible. We can use vertical images but there will be black borders on either side. With that in mind, if you are going to use vertical images try to space them out as much as possible.
What about Photo Retouching?
We will do some minor photo retouching of digital images only if necessary. Please use the best quality images possible, photo retouching can only help so much. If necessary; we can help with color correction, cropping, straightening, red-eye correction, and enhancing the detail and lighting.
What are Special Effects Transitions?
Special effects transitions are the way the project moves from one scene to the next. We prefer to keep it clean and simple with light effects (unless you specify otherwise) because we feel the viewer should not be distracted by the transitions, rather they should be used to enhance the overall experience.
What print media can I include in my project?
We can work from prints and digital files of course. We can also use other types of print media that can be scanned and made digital with our professional flatbed scanner. This can include items such as ticket stubs, invitations, letters, brochures, flyers, newspaper articles, save the dates, announcements, or just about anything you could imagine. Anything up to 8×10.
What if I have a scanner at home, can I scan the images and send them to you?
Yes you can! You can either scan your photos/print media and burn them to a CD to send to us or you can (Upload Photos/Videos ) and send them to us electronically.
If you are scanning the images to send to us by mail, please follow the below guidelines:
The higher the resolution, the better your photos will look on screen. 300 pixels/inch or 300 dpi is a good rule of thumb. Save the images as .jpeg and save the first photo/print media as 001.jpg, the second 002.jpeg, etc. to reflect the order in which you want them displayed.
How long will each image be shown?
Unless you specify otherwise, we will display each image from 4 to 6 seconds as that gives you the most impact.
Can I include video clips along with my photos?
Yes, please see our Rates/Packages page here for details. Remember to save your video clips in the order you want them added to your project (Example: first as 001.mp4, second as mp4, etc. Mp4 is just an example, you can use most video formats). Please contact us for acceptable formats.
Can I add voice messages to the video production?
Yes. You will need to provide us with the recording and instructions on where to place it in your project. We can accept this recording in any of the following formats: burned to a CD,.mp3, or .WAV. If you have a different format in mind, please call or email us and we can see if we can use it.
Can I pick my own music for the project?
Please do! The project will mean much more to you if you choose the music. We can offer suggestions or, if you just cannot decide we can take creative license and pick song(s) for you.
How should I organize my materials for the project?
You know better than we do your history, so please make every attempt at organizing your information before you send it to us. Usually chronological order works best. We can certainly help, we are available to consult with you on every project. (See below)
Can I consult with someone before I send in my order?
We want to talk with you! You can call us at 1-888-346-0031 or you can email us and we will be glad to answer all your questions. Your video production means so much more to you when we know what you want out of the project. All calls or emails will be returned within 24 hours.
How long will it take you to complete my project?
Our turnaround time is 10 to 14 days for post-production work. We can RUSH the order, but there is an additional charge. Please see our Rates/Packages page here for pricing information.
What is the best way to send in my photos, videos, other print media, and music?
Information about submitting your materials can be found on our Upload Photos/Videos page. You can either upload your information directly to our web server, or burn a CD and mail it to us, or you can mail your original material to us and we will digitize it for you. There are discounted packages available for media sent already in a digital format. Please see our Rates/Packages page here for package pricing information.
How should I package my materials to best protect them?
Hard cardboard and bubble wrap works best. Package your information in between the hard cardboard and wrap with bubble wrap, securing it with tape. If you can fit this bundle into a Ziploc bag, that will help to keep it together. If not, make sure the bubble wrap has no openings that your photos could slip out of. Very Important: please be sure to mark the envelope clearly “Do Not Bend: Photos Inside”.
Is it safe to send you my photos and videos?
Absolutely! Nothing means more to us than memories and we know how important those materials are to you. We take very seriously our promise to treat your photos as if they were our own (To give you an idea, we keep our memories in a fireproof safe).
Will you return my originals?
Of course. Once we have digitized your information we do not need the originals anymore. We will return them to you with your finished DVD (unless you need them back sooner), which will be sent by UPS with a tracking number so you can follow your order.
Can I order additional copies of my video?
Yes. We provide three copies included in the cost of each package, you can certainly order more if you would like. Each additional copy is only $15. We will keep your project on file for one year (unless you specify otherwise) and you can also reorder at any time during this period.
What methods of payment are available?
We accept all major credit cards through PayPal. We will send you an invoice by email after your order has been confirmed. We need payment before we can begin your project as most are very time intensive.
What if my DVD will not play on my home DVD player?
99% of players on the market today will play back our DVDs, which are recorded in DVD +R format. If your DVD does not play we will do everything we can to give you a solution that will work. Remember also: included as a part of every package, your final product can be posted online (temporarily) and converted to mp4 format for playback on your iPod or AppleTV. This is at no additional charge.
Do I need an HD TV to playback my DVD?
No, your Meatball Video Production will look great on any TV.
What is HD Video?
HD stands for High Definition and is a video format that allows for the best possible picture. To compare, standard definition TVs have a picture with 480 lines of resolution whereas High Definition TVs can have either 720 or 1080 lines of resolution. The image quality is two to three times sharper than a standard definition TV, but you will not notice the difference if you have not seen an HD image.
