DigiBeta Duplication Dance $$

I need to clone 5 Digital Betacam tapes (120). The price in LA seems to be pretty constant at around $350 each. Ouch! I can rent two betacam decks for less than the $1,750 that adds up to. Anyone know of a more competitive solution -- even if I have to drive outside LA?

Or, anyone got a source to rent 2 Digibeta decks?

Thanks in advance.

Try our Talent Directory. Say you're from lafcpug. Might be cheaper.

[www.lafcpug.org]

Michael Horton
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Thanks for the idea, but same basic rate from the few dupe houses listed.

You might call a company like Imaginary Forces where we get decks from.

Tell them you want to set the decks up in their shop and use them right there thus saving the transportation and wear and tear on the equipment. Straight "clone" dubs aren't that exciting and they might buy that depending on how busy they are. Most of the machine damage happens on the way to and from the job, so it's a significant savings for them.

Tell them you'll buy the shop breakfast bagels. Chocolate works OK, but not in the morning.

Koz

Also tell them you are from lafcpug. They are a lafcpug sponsor so maybe they will cut ya a deal

Michael Horton
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The only Imaginary Forces I find seems like a creative shop on Sunset. Is this the right place? Anyone in particular I should contact?

Thank you!

Sorry. Visionary Forces

[www.visionaryforces.com]

Michael Horton
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<<<Sorry. Visionary Forces >>>

Oh for....G!@#$*&S

I have the business card right here, too.

Senior Moment. Yeah, yeah that's it. Blame it on the slate coloured hair.

Koz

Thanks. I'm in touch with Tracy. Very nice, but hasn't responded much to bagels and LAFCPUG discounts. :-)

You could also try these guys, they are always very helpful.

[www.shapeshifter.biz]

350 comes down to about 150 / hour + tape...
And this is unattended work...

Find a lineair suite, book it for a day without editor and DIY...

Bouke
www.videotoolshed.com

My solution to this was to rent a Digibeta player (J-30) and Digibeta recorder (A500), hook the two together and dub my own copies.

Deck Rental - $475
Blank Tape - $277
Extra Coverage on my Insurance Policy - $50
Paying only $160 per tape instead of $350 and saving $948 for pushing Record - priceless.

I found two great companies to rent the decks from:

The above mentioned Visionary Forces 818-562-1960 (ask for Tracy)
and Atlas Digital (ask for Shawn or Dean) 323-878-0080

Thanks to all for the suggestions!

Hi

We probably missed the boat on this -- but the dub division of my company Tree Falls (clonetownHD.com), the rate card on a 124 Dbeta clone is $231. And for a group 5 of we'd probably even cut a little discount off that plus the mention of LAFCPUG would get you a little more discount even.

Maybe that is in a $$ range worth out-sourcing rather than renting decks and such?