Saving Old Memories
Saving Vinyl Records & Musical CDs
If you're still listening to music CDs and vinyl records then you're living in the 'dark ages'. No offence, but you need to make the switch now and get on with the times. We live in a world that is moving on to everything digital. Making the switch is more effortless than most of us think. If you need to scan photos into CDs call us at photo-scan-man.com, but if you need help with old records, we have an easy guide to convert your music to digital.
To convert your music CDs you will need a ripping (or copying, we like the term 'rip') software or a media player such as iTunes, if you use a computer with Mac OS, or Windows Media Player, if you use a computer with Windows OS. There are heaps of free CD ripping softwares available but we recommend these two as they come standard with most computers.
Next, follow these steps:
Connect to the Internet (optional) and run your media player.
Insert the CD you wish to rip and wait for your computer to read and import all the tracks and its information. Connecting to the Internet will allow the player to collect information related to the CD.
Select the tracks you want to rip or deselect ones that you don't want to rip. Leave all the checkboxes ticked of you want to rip the whole album/CD.
Next select the file format you'd like to save your music as. The most common audio format is .mp3. If you're using iTunes, go to "Import Settings" at the bottom of the window. Select the file format you prefer in the "Import Using" dropdown list (AAC is the default setting). If you're using Windows Media Player, these options will be presented to you later. The default here is .wma.
Once you've chosen your preferred file format, you are ready to rip the CD. Depending on which software or media player you're using, click "Import CD", "Rip CD" or "Copy from CD". In Windows Media Player, this is when your option to choose your preferred file format is given. You will be asked if you'd like to keep the original format settings or modify them. This includes your file format and audio quality settings. Make your preferences.
Click "OK" and your journey into the digital age begins.
Converting you vinyl records is a more costly exercise though, as you will need to get your hands on equipment that is capable of doing it. Three such equipments which we recommend are the Audio-Technica AT-LP2D-USB Stereo Turntable, Ion LP 2 CD Turntable and Stanton T.90 USB Turntable.
The Audio-Technica AT-LP2D-USB Stereo turntable works by converting your vinyl record in real-time, transferring them directly to your computer via USB. Using the included software, you can then edit out any crackle or static noises and save them as .mp3 or .wav files.
With the the Ion LP 2 CD turntable, you have a choice of either converting your LPs into a CD or save them onto your computer. Converting into a CD won't require the use of a computer as it's all done onboard the turntable unit itself. However, connecting it to your computer via USB, will give you the option to edit out any unwanted noises using the included software and further save it as your preferred audio format.
Preserving Old Newspapers
They just don't make paper like the old days any more. Preserving today's newspapers is somewhat a challenge. Photoscanman can help you preserve your photos and videos, but it is up to you to save any famous newspapers you collected. Where else back then newspapers were published on paper made from cotton raga, today the paper used is made from wood pulp which is innately unstable. The earlier generation of newspapers can be and have been preserved in excellent condition without much signs of discolouration or weakening. Whilst today's newspapers use more efficient materials for printing, it contains too many impurities, even after processing, which makes preservation a bigger effort. Lignin, found in today's paper, makes up the largest proportion of impurities found in and around the walls of the fibre. Although by itself not acidic in nature, when exposed to light, high humidity and air pollutants, it influences acidic reactions in the paper. As we all know, acidity causes corrosion and weakens the fibre; we end up with yellowed and brittle paper. That been said, it is not impossible to preserve today's newspapers. It just takes more effort and the process is delicate with many precautions to take. There are some simple steps you can take to help preserve the newspaper properly. There are also steps that are more complicated but necessary if you seriously want to preserve it at its best. Firstly, take care not to expose the newspaper to sunlight, humidity or extreme temperatures. All of which cause the paper to break down and weaken even more quickly. Store them in a dark place, to prevent the trigger of an acidic reaction in the paper caused by light. Pick a central location in your home to store it, not the attic where it can get too hot or the basement where it can get too cold and damp. Store them flat in their original form. Folding them can cause the smearing of ink. Keep them separate from other documents. Acidity from other papers can transfer onto the fibres. This is called acid migration. Prevent this by using boxes or folders that meet the permanence specification. You can place them in a polyester film folder. A piece of alkaline-buffered paper backing will also help hinder break down of acid in the paper. For those who seriously want the best method for preserving their newspapers, several somewhat complicated and costly steps need to be taken. Take your newspaper to an archivist or a conservator to have it de-acidified. It can get rather costly, depending on whether you just want the cover pages or have the entire newspaper preserved. You can also do this yourself by using a special spray but it costs all the same. You will also need to control the environment in contact with the paper, meaning the temperature, moisture, light and the container it's stored in. If you have a sizeable collection then it may be a good idea to install an air conditioner to keep your storing area cool and dry. You'll also need to control the lighting. Where the obvious is to keep it away from sunlight, you'll also need to keep it away from fluorescent lighting. For displaying purposes, you can use an incandescent light. But the darker it is the better. Learning to preserve your newspapers properly is worth the effort. It'll protect your investment and many years down the line you'll be proud to show them off to the younger generations in your family and we at Photoscanman will help your family convert videos to DVD and scan photos for your digital picture frames.
Digital Pic Frames Review Under $100
Review for Digital Picture Frames Above $100 With so many brands of digital photo frames available to you, we understand how tricky it can be to find the right ones.Consumer Report has done the research for you and made it much easier to compare and choose the ones that best suit your preference. You can have faith that their ratings are completely unbiased and aim to assist you in the choosing process. Ratings are based on picture quality, viewing angle, versatility and ease of use. Photscanman.com is eager to share with you some of Consumer Reports top rated choices of digital photo frames. The most basic feature that is shared by all digital photo frames is built-in memory. Armed with some kind of memory card, you can relive your memories instantly with different modes of display.And because these days LCDs have become quite affordable, you can pick up the digital photo frame of your choice, and rekindle old memories from the photo to CD transfer Photoscanman have produced for you, for a lot less. As you up the ante a little to a budget of over $100 for digital photo frames, you'll also find that you'll be getting higher quality pictures and a more feature packed product. For above $100, Consumer Reports best ratings for digital photo frames in this category are Sony DPF-XR100, Pix-Star FotoConnect XD PXT510WR02, Ipevo Kaleido R7 and Sony DF-HD700. You won't mind the hefty price so much that comes with the Sony DPF-XR100 once you see for yourself what it has to offer. You'll be enjoying your photos on a 10.2" LCD screen with an incredible 1024×600 resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio. The TruBlack technology increases the visibility of colours in dark areas offering you rich blacks and high contrast with reduced glare. This unit also gives out high quality stereo sound and in addition to the USB connectivity; it also comes with a HDMI output. The people at Consumer Reports were happy to give this product a very good rating of 69/100. The Pix-Star FotoConnect XD PXT510WR02 digital photo frame is insanely amazing. Apart from the big 10.4" 800×600 resolution and 4:3 ratio, it is loaded with the newest WiFi and email capabilities. It can display your pictures stored in online albums and supports over 20 providers including Picasa, Facebook, Smugmug, FlickR and more. It even features a web radio player, allowing you to play music from around the globe. At only around $190, we at Photoscanman believe this feature-loaded product is a winner! Consumer Report gave this product a very good rating of 66/100. The Ipevo Kaleido R7 is renowned for its sleek aesthetics and touchpad controls. With this frame, you also have the option to view metadata on the display screen alongside your photos. It has easy configuration, rotatable and bright display, and adjustable viewing angle in landscape mode. With built-in wireless connection, you also get to view photos from providers like iPhoto and RSS feeds. Sadly, this frame does not support audio or video playback. Nevertheless, Consumer Reports still thought it deserved a very good rating of 66/100. If you're into simple yet beautiful, then the Sony DF-HD700 is just the frame for you. With HD screens, it offers clearer viewing compared to conventional hybrid LCD screens. The higher resolution, sharper contrast and highly accurate colour reproduction allow you to view your photos at its best, even in bright daylight. This little frame also comes in various colours to suit your home decor. Choose from bold red to serene white or classic black. This quality frame fetched a good rating of 64/100 at Consumer Report. As most of us will agree, there are many advantages of today's technology-driven world and this includes holding on to our photo memories for much longer. At Photoscanman, we can convert your old photos to CD, using our photo scanning service or slide scanning service, preserving your memories safely and indefinitely. As you can see, digital photo frames are not just for photo display. They offer an all-in-one function as a photo album, calendar, alarm clock, music or video player and much more. Your home won't be complete without one!
Saving Family Letters & Documents
There's a lot of sentimental value in family documents and many of us hold on to them for as long as possible. Whilst some of us store them away in a shoe box in our wardrobe or under the bed, most of us know we should be taking more care with them but just don't know how. Here, I've outlined some basics and some techniques on how to go about keeping your precious documents in its best condition. At Photoscanman we preserve your photos, scanning photos and converting video to DVD so lets see if we can give you some advice on preserving your family documents. The three key things to remember are cool, dark and dry. Store your paper collectibles in an unheated room, where you can also regularly monitor the humidity and protect them from light. Your papers will also need to be protected from acids in other paper, plastics, adhesives, metal objects, air pollutants and pests. Your choice of container to keep them in should also be acid-free. A popular method is placing them in archivally safe plastic sleeves popped in an album or binder. Using polyester film is also a popular technique. A common type used is called Mylar type D by the Dupoint Company. Polyester is archival quality and can preserve your papers for many generations. You can put more than one document the same plastic sleeve as long as they're interleaved with acid-free paper to avoid acid migration between the papers. Contrary to popular belief, laminating your paper documents is not a good idea. It's not considered a safe preserving method as it exposes your paper to high heat and pressure during application. Not only that, the laminating adhesive is chemically unstable and can cause further deterioration of the paper document. If you have a piece of document that you'd like to preserve but is already somewhat brittle from being rolled or folded, you may still have a good chance at conserving it. Place that document in a humid environment for several hours to make it more pliable and flexible. Note that if it has ink that may run, you may not want to do this as you risk ink bleed. Carefully unroll or unfold the document while it is still humid. Stop if it shows any signs of resistance or begins to crack or tear. You can then lay it flat between two pieces of blotting paper and place something heavy on it, leaving it for a few days. On the other hand, if you have a document that may be so large that flat storage is impossible; they can be rolled around an interior support, such as an acid-free tube. This prevents it from being crushed, torn or damaged. Further wrap the roll with acid-free paper or a piece of polyester film to protect it from dirt, light and handling. Secure the film with a cotton tape, tied loosely around the roll. Make note that rolled documents should never be placed inside a tube for storage. However you choose to store your documents, you should never store them in the attic where it can be too hot, or the basement where it can get too cold and damp. As a general rule of thumb, keep them in a room that is comfortable to you, where the temperature and humidity is stable. Of course you can display them next to your digital picture frame showing the scanned photos and scanned slides that Photoscanman digitized for your family.
Finding Right Digital Pic Frame
When you're ready to take the leap into digital photo frames, we at Photoscanman can be of great assistance. Hand us all your old photos or negatives, and with our photo scanning service and slide scanning service, we'll have your photos to CD in no time. Once your photos have been converted, you can upload them onto your computer or transfer them onto a USB flash drive, and take full advantage of the digital photo frames available in the market today. Yes, old photo frames are in fact a thing of the past. Why settle for a thing that only serves as one thing (displaying one picture) when you can have a similar thing with much more to offer? Digital photo frames, showcase not just one picture but has the capability to display thousands. They support audio and video, come with special effects, WiFi and/or Bluetooth connectivity, remote management and often also function as a calendar and alarm clock too. Lucky for us, with so many competitive brands offering digital photo frames, and with the technology becoming more affordable, picking up one won't cost you a fortune. As a matter fact, there are many feature-laden digital photo frames for under $100. Photoscanman understands that consumers always want the best value for their money. Looking for value in digital photo frames that match their price tags can be quite tricky. Following are some tips to consider when looking for the perfect one for you. Price– Don't be hoaxed into buying a digital photo frame just because it has an attractive price tag. On the surface it may look just as beautiful as the more expensive products but you may be purchasing a frame that offers low quality images. Check all specifications and go with a minimum resolution of 640 x 480 for an acceptable screen display. Anything less and you'll end up with pixelated images. Screen Size And Aspect Ratio – Digital photo frames come in range of sizes starting from 7" up to 15". Most bear an aspect ratio of 4:3, as this is the commonly used ratio in digital cameras and mobile phones, and photos will fit the LCD display perfectly. Some bear a 16:9 ratio, which offer a widescreen look. Often, pictures need to be cropped at the top and bottom or stretched to fit screens that employ this ratio and you could end up with an image that is distorted or incomplete.So choose a screen size and aspect ratio that best suits your preference and purpose. Highlighted Features- At the very least, a digital photo frame comes with built-in storage and supports USB connectivity. Most however, also come with audio and video playback, different viewing modes, calendar and alarm clock functions, power saving mode, brightness control, LED backlight and a remote control. The more advanced will have features such as orientation sensor to automatically adjust your image to the way it stands, motion sensor that turns the frame on or off as you enter or leave the room, touch screen panel, interchangeable frame designs, on board photo editing software, wireless connectivity, HD displays and audio, and additional outputs including HDMI. As you can see, there is an array of features a digital photo frame can come with. The more features it has and the sharper the image, the more you'll have to pay. Whatever your needs and preferences are in a digital photo frame, bear in mind the above tips Photscanman has laid down for you. As long as you follow them through, you can trust you'll have a good quality frame for your home.
Review Dig Pic Frames Above $100
With so many brands of digital photo frames available to you, we understand how tricky it can be to find the right ones. Consumer Report has done the research for you and made it much easier to compare and choose the ones that best suit your preference. You can have faith that their ratings are completely unbiased and aim to assist you in the choosing process. Ratings are based on picture quality, viewing angle, versatility and ease of use. Photscanman.com is eager to share with you some of Consumer Reports top rated choices of digital photo frames. The most basic feature that is shared by all digital photo frames is built-in memory. Armed with some kind of memory card, you can relive your memories instantly with different modes of display. And because these days LCDs have become quite affordable, you can pick up the digital photo frame of your choice, and rekindle old memories from the photo to CD transfer Photoscanman have produced for you, for a lot less. As you up the ante a little to a budget of over $100 for digital photo frames, you'll also find that you'll be getting higher quality pictures and a more feature packed product. For above $100, Consumer Reports best ratings for digital photo frames in this category are Sony DPF-XR100, Pix-Star FotoConnect XD PXT510WR02, Ipevo Kaleido R7 and Sony DF-HD700. You won't mind the hefty price so much that comes with the Sony DPF-XR100 once you see for yourself what it has to offer. You'll be enjoying your photos on a 10.2" LCD screen with an incredible 1024×600 resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio. The TruBlack technology increases the visibility of colours in dark areas offering you rich blacks and high contrast with reduced glare. This unit also gives out high quality stereo sound and in addition to the USB connectivity; it also comes with a HDMI output. The people at Consumer Reports were happy to give this product a very good rating of 69/100. The Pix-Star FotoConnect XD PXT510WR02 digital photo frame is insanely amazing. Apart from the big 10.4" 800×600 resolution and 4:3 ratio, it is loaded with the newest WiFi and email capabilities. It can display your pictures stored in online albums and supports over 20 providers including Picasa, Facebook, Smugmug, FlickR and more. It even features a web radio player, allowing you to play music from around the globe. At only around $190, we at Photoscanman believe this feature-loaded product is a winner! Consumer Report gave this product a very good rating of 66/100. The Ipevo Kaleido R7 is renowned for its sleek aesthetics and touchpad controls. With this frame, you also have the option to view metadata on the display screen alongside your photos. It has easy configuration, rotatable and bright display, and adjustable viewing angle in landscape mode. With built-in wireless connection, you also get to view photos from providers like iPhoto and RSS feeds. Sadly, this frame does not support audio or video playback. Nevertheless, Consumer Reports still thought it deserved a very good rating of 66/100. If you're into simple yet beautiful, then the Sony DF-HD700 is just the frame for you. With HD screens, it offers clearer viewing compared to conventional hybrid LCD screens. The higher resolution, sharper contrast and highly accurate colour reproduction allow you to view your photos at its best, even in bright daylight. This little frame also comes in various colours to suit your home decor. Choose from bold red to serene white or classic black. This quality frame fetched a good rating of 64/100 at Consumer Report. As most of us will agree, there are many advantages of today's technology-driven world and this includes holding on to our photo memories for much longer. At Photoscanman, we can convert your old photos to CD, using our photo scanning service or slide scanning service, preserving your memories safely and indefinitely. As you can see, digital photo frames are not just for photo display. They offer an all-in-one function as a photo album, calendar, alarm clock, music or video player and much more. Your home won't be complete without one!
7.Which slide scanning service package is right for me?
As with our photo scanning service, we offer two scanning packages; The Family Package and The High Resolution Package. With our Family Package scanning service we will scan your 35mm slides at 2000dpi resolution. This is a good choice for most family photos and for small business, printing and desktop publishing purposes. With our High Resolution Package slide scanning service your 35mm slides will be scanned at 4000dpi. This higher resolution will allow you to enlarge your photo up to three times its original size while still preserving the quality of the original image and it will also use up more memory on your CD, digital picture frame or computer. In summary, if you plan on enlarging your scanned images than order the 4000 DPI High Resolution Package. Otherwise, the Family Package which scans at 2000DPI is the industry standard as it produces a nice balance of a well preserved image without using up too much memory on your CD, digital picture frame or computer.
8.Why should I use PhotoScanMan?
PhotoScanMan is a non profit institution of highly trained computer and photography experts. We focus on quality – not profit – to provide a safe, inexpensive, hassle-free photo scanning service. Our all inclusive pricing means there are no hidden charges and no gimmicks. We digitalize photos and slides and transfer tapes to DVD at our New Jersey facility. We never outsource your photos. Our equipment is state of the art using Kodak, Nikon and Sony scanning and visual enhancing technology which will save and enhance your pictures for professional level results. Our Online Order Status System allows you to know the exact status of your order from the time your photos leaves your home until the time your order arrives safely back in your home.
9.How does PhotoScanMan protect my photos?
PhotoScanMan allows you to choose the shipping method that best suits your needs. You can choose from FedEx, UPS or US Postal Service shipping. We will even supply you with specialized shipping boxes as well as FedEx or UPS forms. Your package is tracked during transit. Upon arrival at our New Jersey facility the contents of your package are photographed, logged into our computer tracking system and placed within their own waterproof container. PhotoScanMan will send you an email the day your package arrives in our New Jersey facility, and another email when the scanning of your pictures is complete. A final email containing the information needed to track your package will be sent to you the day that your original photos and new digital images are shipped back to you. A digital backup of your photos is placed in our backup storage computers until we receive confirmation that your package has arrived to your home.
10.What type of photos and slides can I get scanned? Are there sizes and shape limitations?
PhotoScanMan can scan practicality any type of photo including Polaroids. Almost any type of slide is acceptable for our laboratory to convert 35mm slides to digital images. Round photos, odd shaped photos and cut-out photos are not a problem. We can accommodate your original prints that are printed on photographic paper without any backing or mounts. Our minimum size is 2" x 2-1/2" and our maximum size is 8-1/2" x 12".
11.What kind of scanners do you use to convert photos to digital formats?
We have invested in state-of-the-art professional image scanners using a combination of industry-standard hardware and advanced imaging software technology from Nikon, Kodak and Sony. Our Nikon Super Cool Scan 9000 with Digital Pro technology is one of the most advanced pieces of scanning equipment in the world.This gives us the capability of capturing a true image of your original photograph without any loss of detail. We have often been told that the scanned image looks better than the original. This is achieved by processing each photo individually to bring out the natural colors of each image. If you're shot is slightly underexposed or overexposed, our software will make the corrections to give you a perfect picture. Sometimes professional photographers do not want to have their images corrected and we can accommodate those special requests as well.
12.How do you handle color corrections?
Our Nikon and Kodak image correction software technology is an advanced solution that looks at the original image and based on the patterns in the image it automatically corrects the colors, lighting, hues and contrast. The end result is a beautiful image that really pops. In addition, we visually inspect each image to ensure optimum accuracy and make any further adjustments if necessary. We can assure that you will receive a true image with every scan.
13.Will you be scanning my slides and/or photos to a CD or Flash drive?
You can choose either a CD or Flash drive. Our pricing includes a free CD of your digitized images. If you also want a Flash drive, either send your own Flash drive or we will supply a 4GB Flash drive for $7. You will receive the CD and/or Flash drive along with your return photos. You may receive multiple CD depending upon the number of scanned images. Each CD will normally hold approximately 400 scanned 4" x 6" images at 300dpi. A 4GB Flash drive will hold about 2,000-4,000 photos. For both a CD and a Flash drive, all the images will be in an industry standard JPEG format and will be viewable on any device that is compatible with this format including computers, digital picture frames, TV, emails and websites.
14.Do you use industry standard file formats?
When we convert your slides and photos to digital formats we use the industry-standard JPEG image format. The JPEG format was developed by the Joint Photographic Experts Group specifically for digital photography. The purpose of this format is to maintain a high quality image while compressing the size of the file. This format has made it easy for professionals and novices alike to post on the web, display in Digital Picture frames, display on their computers and TV, transfer by email, and even to make prints from. Today, the majority of print shops use JPEG images rather than the old way of screening photos.
15.What is the best way to pack and ship my photos and/or slides for scanning?
Photo prints: We recommend that you sort your photographs into groups of similar size prints. To protect your photos during shipping you can seal them in plastic bags. To prevent scratching or damaging of your photographs during transit, we do not recommend wrapping them in rubber bands or using clips. Insert your bags of photos in a sturdy envelope or box. Most shipping services like FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service have envelopes and shipping supplies to make packing your photos very easy. Tip: Shoe boxes make great photo shipping containers. Just place your bags of photos in the shoe box along with your order form and seal with tape. 35mm slides: We recommend removing your 35mm slides from the slide pages and slipping them into plastic bags. Insert your plastic bags of slides into a sturdy envelope or shipping box. Most shipping services like FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service have envelopes and shipping supplies to make packing your photos very easy. Tip: Shoe boxes make great slide shipping containers. Just place your bags of photos in the shoe box along with your order form and seal with tape. 35mm slide carousels: Optionally, you can pack and ship the entire carousel without removing your 35mm slides. We will remove each slide individually from the carousel for scanning. Please be aware that your slides and carousels will be returned to you separately. Please check the appropriate box on the order form to choose this service. *When shipping with the United States Postal Service request Delivery Confirmation. This will enable you to track your shipment to us while it is in the mail system. Your photo package should be sent to: PhotoScanMan Street address City, State ZIP Please print and include your ORDER CONFIRMATION with your shipment to us.
16.What do I get from PhotoScanMan's Photo, Slide and Tape Scanning Services?
1. All-inclusive pricing – no hidden fees! 2. Skilled technicians process your photo scans. 3. We make any necessary color corrections and exposure adjustments. 4. We reduce and/or eliminate noise such as dust and scratches from your original photos. 5. We make sure your images are facing the proper direction. 6. You get instant access to your online digital photos. 7. We carefully pack and ship your original photographs back to you. 8. We provide you with a CD, or FlashDrive or DVD of your digitized photos. 9. We ship back your original pictures. 10. We keep a backup of your photos for 30 days. 11. You enjoy your treasured memories that will be preserved for a lifetime.
