film – PSafe Blog

How to Convert Cassette and VHS Tapes into Digital Files

PSafe Newsroom — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 21:47:51 +0000

It’s time to transfer your old home videos, mix tapes, and band recordings into digital files. You have dozens of old tapes that you no longer listen to or watch simply because of the format they’re in. Maybe you want to try out that new minimalism trend, or maybe you want to further preserve your files and make them more accessible. Whatever your reason, you can now transform your old tapes into digital files.

It’s not an easy or fast process, and it will cost you some money, but it might be worth the hassle to more concretely preserve old tapes and fond memories. The following will give you a taste of what that process is like.

How to Turn Your Cassette Tapes into Digital Files
For this process, you’ll need access to a tape deck. There are also newer options available (about $100-$150) that were specifically built to convert cassettes into digital files. You will then need the proper cables to connect your tape deck to your computer. This can vary, but usually includes a stereo cable and a USB audio adaptor for your computer. Once your devices are properly connected, download a software program to “read” the audio files, like Audacity or QuickTime. These programs will allow you to convert your cassette tapes into high quality digital files. You’ll play the tape on the tape deck, and your computer will record it. There are many in-depth guides online for this process; unfortunately, it’s fairly complicated and can involve a lot of trial and error until you get the quality file that you want.

How to Turn Your VHS Tapes into Digital Files
This is a much easier process than converting cassettes to digital files. You’ll need a VHS player, along with a device to convert your VHS tapes into digital files for storage on your computer. Look for a “video capture” device on Amazon; it will be a type of adaptor with RCA cables and a USB. Prices typically range from about $15 to $40. The first step is to connect the RCA cables from the adaptor to the VCR. Then connect the adaptor’s USB to your computer. You’ll essentially play the video on your VCR while it’s connected to your computer, and your computer will use video capture software to “read” the video. There are some good free software options available, but for the purpose of quality you may want to invest in video capture software (about $30-$70).

Hulu vs. Netflix: Which Service Works Better on Your Phone?

PSafe Newsroom — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 19:06:14 +0000

Both the Netflix and Hulu mobile apps utilize a similar design across devices, which makes the apps easy to use, whether you’re accessing them on a TV, computer, tablet, or phone. Netflix and Hulu tend to work best on your TV or computer. You have full access to all of the apps’ features and experience few glitches and loading issues. But, when you try to access either app on your mobile device, there seems to be never-ending connectivity issues, despite a seemingly reliable Wi-Fi connection. What gives?

If your Wi-Fi isn’t stable or fast, you might experience more issues using the streaming apps on your phone. While it might be tempting to use your phone’s data to watch a new episode of your favorite TV show on the go, this isn’t a good move for those who have smaller monthly data plans. If your Wi-Fi connection is reliable, sometimes connectivity issues can occur because your device is too far from your router. While other devices may not have issues using the service farther from the router, it may be harder for your phone to achieve a stable connection.

If you’re having trouble using or loading other apps on your device, a far away router may be the issue. This can be solved by moving closer to the router, or else moving your router to a more central location in your home. Generally, you may experience less connectivity issues with the Netflix mobile app than the Hulu app, because Netflix claims it can function at a lower connectivity speed. If other apps are working well, then it could be an app-specific problem. Before you report an issue, double-check your internet connection and try restarting your device.

Which App Has Better Mobile Features?
Both mobile apps typically have great video and sound quality, though this will vary depending on your connection speed. Again, Netflix tends to stream videos at a higher quality than Hulu. It’s often easier to cast Netflix to your TV. With Hulu, this process can be difficult. As for watching videos, the Netflix app is also more likely to remember where you left off in a TV episode than Hulu. It can be hard to rewind or fast-forward on both apps, but this is often easier to do on Netflix. Unless you have the premium version of Hulu, you may have to sit through the same commercial you saw a second ago. It may also be difficult to sync your Hulu watch list across devices, or to add new videos or full seasons on your phone. Netflix is thus the clear winner when it comes to use on your mobile device.

Virtual Reality is Taking Over the Film Industry

PSafe Newsroom — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 12:53:54 +0000

Virtual reality film is becoming rapidly popular. Take, for example, the virtual reality short films created by Oculus Story Studio (such as Henry), or ILMxLAB’s experiments with virtual reality in the Star Wars universe. This year, Sundance saw their virtual reality film submissions nearly triple from the previous year. Even National Geographic has taken on virtual reality with its tour of Yosemite National Park.

Alejandro Iñárritu, a filmmaker perhaps best known for his films Birdman and The Revenant, is also taking on virtual reality film. The film has been in development for four years. It will focus on the experiences of a group of immigrants and refugees arriving to the United States by way of Mexico. Legendary Entertainment and Fondazione Prada (an organization that promotes contemporary art and culture) will produce Iñárritu’s film, while ILMxLAB will help bring the film to life by creating the film’s virtual world and characters. Emmanuel Lubezki, a cinematographer who has worked with Alejandro Iñárritu on Birdman and The Revenant, will also be involved with the film.

Virtual reality, of course, offers a new form of storytelling. The goal is to get the viewer to participate in the story — to essentially “live” with the story. There is still debate, however, about whether or not the viewer should have a more passive or active role with this experience. As for how this will work in Iñárritu’s new film, it’s still unclear — not much is known yet about the film. Nonetheless, this will be an especially effective medium for Iñárritu’s topic, considering the current discourse on immigration and refugees, and the truly immersive experience of virtual reality.

The popularity of 3D films and augmented reality has helped to pave the way for virtual reality films. Currently, virtual reality is more popular in gaming than in film. But virtual reality film could be especially popular in fandom culture, for those who already pay to further celebrate their favorite TV show or film, for example, by purchasing merchandise, video games, and tickets to comic-cons and certain theme parks. Virtual reality film would offer another way to let fans interact with their favorite fictional universe.

With the release of Iñárritu’s new short film and his prestigious track record, maybe virtual reality film will soon be taking over the Academy Awards (perhaps, eventually, in the form of its own category). It is only a matter of years before the medium could truly catch on in mainstream culture, which means we might have some exciting films to look forward to in the future.