Costs of transfering BetaSP/ U-matic video to DVD?

[Carl]

Does anybody on here know how expensive it is to produce (legally of course) DVDs from a master video source, such as Beta, for resale?

The reason I ask is I am looking into releasing some footage on VHS and would like to look into producing DVDs as well. Perhaps as the format evolves even further this will become lees expensive in time?

Thanks for any help in advance

Carl

[William Martin]

there are specialist transfer services advertised on the web
such as
www.yockenthwaite.btinternet.co.uk/videoark/formats.html

[John R]

You should be able to get from your source material to a proper, pressed DVD made at a respected company for about £3000 if you shop around (and don't necessarily have everything done at one place). That would give you about 1000 single layer discs with plain menus and chapter stops. Then you need to add-on the BBFC charges if that's needed, packing and cases, cover design, and any rights clearances (make sure you've got absolutely everything covered - eg. any quotations, etc - but if you've already been researching into VHS, you presumably know all about that).

You could also have a DVD authored for less on a Mac/PC, and burnt to DVD-R. This could then be cloned, or you could use it to have a glass-master produced if you want pressed-discs. That could save up to about £1000 - 1500, depending on how much work you were able to do yourself.

PS. I'm no expert or anything, I just read up on it all a while ago because I was curious! ;D

[Andy Henderson]

Bearing in mind your question:

'The reason I ask is I am looking into releasing some footage on VHS and would like to look into producing DVDs as well'

can we ask what the footage is?