Help! My video from another country won't play in my machine.

The world may be smaller and we may be able to connect instantly with someone half way around the planet, but that doesn't mean that everything is the same. I remember when I was in elementary school and we were being taught the metric system because it was said to be the "new world standard" for measurement. I don't know about you, but I still have measuring "cups" and spoons that denote "teaspoons" and "tablespoons" in my kitchen. Change is hard and we can be resistant to that change.

The same can be said for video formats. Even in the digital age there are several video formats in use. Most of us don't realize this. I can't count the number of times we received calls from people who purchased a coveted video on eBay from overseas only to find that it would not play in an American machine. (Quick Tip: Look for the letters in the product description... NTSC is American, PAL and SECAM are foreign formats.)

One customer brought us a tape that was filmed in Africa. She could find no one who could play it and it was irreplaceable. Video images of the first time she met her family tribe; dancing and singing with people who shared her heritage and blood. AND SHE COULD NOT SEE THE FOOTAGE! Thankfully we were able to convert the format and create archival DVDs for her.

Be aware of video formats sent to another country as well. You may film events with your video camera, but will family and friends be able to watch them in Italy? We've added a helpful map, courtesy of Wikipedia to help determine formats.

So remember, if you order or are sent a videotape or DVD from another country, make certain it is in NTSC format. If you are sending something overseas find out what format they can view.

Home Video Studio is adept in handling all video formats.

We like to say that if you can't watch it or listen to it, bring it to Home Video Studio!

~Sharon

5 Ways to Weather A Natural Disaster

This week North Carolina experienced two natural weather situations. First, were the unexpected earthquake tremors. While the epicenter was in Virginia, the effects were felt here and all along the east coast. Then Hurricane Irene threatened the United States. Coastal residents and visitors were evacuated and property secured to the degree possible.

As the men and women who live on the coast packed their belongings and prepared to abandon their homes for safety, what do you think they packed? What things in your home would be precious enough to make the grade in a planned evacuation?

My list would include the two quilts hand-made by my grandmother who passed away just before my oldest daughter was born. My husband's grandmother crocheted an afghan, which would also come with us. Photo albums, videos, a family Bible, and paintings by my mother are just a few of the items I'd grab. Clearly family is very important to me.

But what if you had to get out of your home at a moment's notice? Would your precious memories be preserved in a safe place? What about your important documents? Do you have a disaster plan for what is important to you?

Here are five resources to help you make like a Boy Scout and "Be Prepared."

1. Digitize and preserve all your photos, videos, film, slides, documents, and family mementos on archival discs. You can store these off-site in a safety deposit box.

http://www.wedvdit.com/DVD-video-services/savers-of-family-archive.htm

2. Have legal documents in a plastic folder - documents that prove who you are!

http://www.phantomranch.net/comunity/evaclist.htm - This link has specific information for fires and the documents are universal.

Got kids? Check out these tips for the family.

http://childparenting.about.com/od/lifeathome/a/familyevacuatio_2.htm

3. Get Waterproof! Your electronics need protection, too!

http://www.otterbox.com/waterproof-cases/waterproof-cases,default,sc.html

4. The first 72 hours are the most urgent. Kits can save you a step up when getting out of your home quickly.

http://www.areyouprepared.com/Emergency-Survival-Kits-s/48.htm

5. Evacuation routes change for each emergency. This site links to evacuation routes for the USA, including numbers for phone hotlines, radio, road closures and emergency sites.

http://www.ibiblio.org/rcip/evacuationroutes.html

~Sharon

Home Video Studio-Apex is located in the Triangle Area of North Carolina