General Questions

Our DVDs are similar to DVDs that you purchase to watch professional movies. They can be played on most standard DVD players and on computers equipped with a DVD drive. Many of the commercial software products available for use with photos can be used to create slideshows as well. However, many of these slideshows are only for viewing on the computer, have limited capability when it comes to duration of photos on screen and special effects, and do not give you the option to burn them on to a DVD for viewing on your TV.

We can do DVD keepsake videos with as few as 25 photos, and as many as 400+ photos. The number of photos really depends on what the DVD is for.

We are able to scan photos and documents up to and including 8 1/2 " x 11 ". If you have a larger image that needs to be scanned, it may be possible to find a professional oversize scanning service that can scan larger images. Once the image is scanned, as long as it is 150 dpi, and saved as a .jpg file, we can use it in your DVD production.

In many cases, we can make very basic touch ups such as removing red eye, and reducing dust and particles in the image, and these minor repairs are included in the price of our DVD packages.

No, please do not send photos to us in frames, photo albums, or scrapbooks. If it is impossible for the photos to be removed, see if you can have them scanned locally and just send us the digitally scanned images, or, as an absolute last resort, take a digital photo of your photo in the frame or scrapbook. However, the image quality of a picture of a picture is much lower than the quality of a scanned photo.

Sure! We also provide you with a finished photo CD in addition to the DVD so once those old photos are scanned they are preserved digitally so you no longer have to worry about them fading away. You can use your photo CD to print extra copies of any of the photos we have scanned to give to family members.

This depends on the tempo of the music and any text caption to be read while the image is on screen. We set our average time at 6-10 seconds per photo. We will try to time the transitions between each photo to fit with the music being used therefore not every photo is on the screen for the exact same amount of time.

It depends on how long each photo is on screen, if there is any video in addition to photos, and what transitions and other special effects are applied to the photographs. It is, however, possible to put about 600 photographs on one DVD. We will consult with you if the number of photos, videos, etc. will affect the ability to fit everything on one DVD.

Scanning is "the process of translating photographs into a digital form that can be recognized by a computer." (See our packages for pricing)

Yes!
We offer our scanning services for those customers who do not have a way (or the time) to get their photos scanned, or do not have the means to be able to do it themselves. If you are scanning the photos yourself, please make sure to scan them in at the proper resolution. The ideal resolution for photos in your DVD production is 150 dpi for photos 4"x6" or larger, 200 dpi for photos smaller than 4"x6". One of the most important things you can do when you are scanning is to make sure that the equipment being used is free of dust and hairs. If you have any concerns or doubts about the scanning process please contact us.

Sure! We can also scan other types of paper media for use in your slide show. This would include items such as announcements, newspaper articles, brochures, flyers, ticket stubs, cards, and letters or just about anything that can be digitized on a flatbed scanner. Keep in mind that we are limited to a size of up to and including 8"x10".

We can transfer any of these video formats to DVD:
VHS
DV
DVD
Once the video format is transferred into our system, we can mix it (with or without the accompanying audio track) with your photos to make a much more meaningful finished DVD. Please see our (Additional Services) page for information about our prices for these types of image transfers.

On an average DVD keepsake video, most photos are on the screen between 6-10 seconds. Most songs run 3-4 minutes long, so you should count on approximately 25-30 photos per song.

Yes,you can pick your own music for your DVD. If you are requesting music, please specify the name of the song and the artist.Please review our (Terms & Conditions) regards to copyrighted materials before ordering.

This is usually one of the most difficult parts of getting the production ready to put together (after deciding which photos and videos to send in!). While it is possible for us to use our creativity to put your images together for your finished DVD, it is always a good idea to get them in order before sending them in (in different sections at a minimum). We suggest you put your pictures together in one of the following ways:

Chronologically: Childhood, Grade School, High School, etc. OR 1970s, 1980s, etc.

By Family Member: Child #1, Child #2, Grandkid #1, Grandkid #2, etc. OR Mom's side of the family, Dad's side of the family, etc.

By Event: Birthday, Holiday, Vacation, etc.
If you are also incorporating video(s) into your DVD keepsake video, please let us know what part of the video(s) to use, how much to use, and where to place it in the DVD. Please use exact time codes to tell us where each segment is located on a particular video (e.g. Tape 1, start at 5:03, end at 6:10, place after photo #72).

We prefer and encourage you to organize your photos before sending them in. Only you know the order in which you'd like the photos shown. However, if you don't organize them, we will usually put them in as close to chronological order as possible.

We recommend you use sticky notes (like Post-Its) for numbering, please be aware that the adhesive may stick too well, and damage the photo. DO NOT use marker as it may rub off on the photos once they are placed in a stack. If we receive photos that are damaged because of marker used for numbering, you will be notified of the issue.

Package your photos well using hard cardboard on all sides to provide a solid shell for your photos. We also recommend you use plastic re-sealable bags to contain each set of photographs, and each video tape/reel to protect them from any moisture during the delivery process. An additional layer of bubble wrap is also recommended for an extra layer of protection. Customized Keepsakes is not responsible for any damage incurred during the shipment to our location.

We use the information on the Ordering Information Sheet to help create a customized DVD for your event. Part of that customization includes matching color schemes and the theme of the custom labels and DVD menu to your event. This information is not required on the form.

Transitions:
This is the way one photo or video moves to the next. We use our professional experiences to determine which transition fits best for a particular part of a production. Whether it is as simple as fading out one photo or video while another fades in, or having a photo or video spin and fly in to view, there are many options available to us.

Title Slides:
These usually delineate one section of a DVD from the next. Title slides are simply a group of text on the screen that either describes or explains something. For example, a title slide preceding a group of photos and/or video from a child's birthday party might say: "Jason's 10th Birthday"

Caption and/or Text:
Used in conjunction with photos or video on screen, captions and/or text explain what is in the picture. These are great for explaining humorous moments, or for naming people or places in a photo or video.

Typically we have a turnaround time of 30 calendar days from receipt of project material. It is possible for us to expedite the production. However, we request that you contact us first before sending in an expedited order (an additional fee will apply). We do this because our production schedule must be rearranged in order to accommodate any expedited orders.

Typically we will not crop the photos unless it makes sense to for a better viewing experience. Many times, we will crop, zoom in, and zoom out slightly during the presentation to make for a more dramatic, moving finished product.

No, once we have your initial instructions, we will put together your production. The DVD keepsake video is provided "as is" and without warranties of any kind and without refunds. We however will work with you in the unlikely event you are not satisfied with your DVD keepsake video to resolve your concerns. Your satisfaction is our primary concern.
Please note: We reserve the right to make all decisions regarding the final resolution if there is an issue with the video.

Yes!  We have the ability to convert your DVD slide show from NTSC video format (standard in the US) to PAL format (standard in many other countries).

Yes, your original source material (music, photos, video, etc.) will be returned to you with your finished order.

On average, 98% of all players will play back our DVDs. We use professional grade DVD+Rs and DVD-Rs for our productions. If your DVD does not play, we will do everything we can suggest a solution.

No. That is the beauty of a DVD slideshow vs. a CD slideshow created on a computer. The DVD that we create can be watched with a DVD player or a computer equipped with a DVD-ROM drive. All you need to do is to insert the DVD into the DVD player and play to watch it on the TV. Our DVDs are set up with a standard DVD menu so you can either hit play and watch the entire thing from start to finish, or go back to the menu, and select a specific chapter to watch.

No. Once you press the play button on your DVD player, the slides will move through on their own. You do have the option to pause, skip chapters or fast forward, just as on a standard DVD. Each DVD comes with a menu page which allows you to select specific chapters to play as well.

Sure! No matter what type of TV you have, the DVD will play full screen. We produce our DVD keepsake video in full screen and widescreen. If you have a preference please indicate which on your order information form.

We will keep the master of your DVD on file for 6 months for purposes of reordering. Remember that these DVDs make great gifts for any occasion, and can easily be reordered online.

Yes. At the time of purchase, you can order additional copies of the DVD at a discounted price (see pricing). We will also keep productions on file for 6 months, and you may reorder any time during that period. The cost for additional DVDs is just $25.00 each. To order additional copies, just email us or order them online.