Question 1

What quality video can I get from the video guestbook?

Accepted Answer

The video guestbook phone records in 1080p HD. However, this quality can also be affected by the light levels in your venue. If there is lower light levels then the video can appear more fuzzy.

For best results put the video guestbook in a well lit area.

Question 2

How long can the video guestbook record for?

Accepted Answer

Once you pick up the phone, the video guestbook can record for 10 minutes before it restarts the recording video. Both videos will still be saved.

The video guestbook phone can record for a total of about 5 hours worth of video.

Question 3

How long will the video guestbook battery last?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the amount of usage the video guestbook phone gets, the battery can last anywhere from 5-14 hours.

It should last plenty of time for your evening.

Question 4

Do I get a sign with the video guestbook?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you will have your choice of frame for your fully customised sign. The sign is just to make sure your guests are using the phone correctly.

The sign is also fully customisable to your wedding colours, any special themes, any specific wording you would like as well as additional graphics.

In addition to the sign the video guestbook phone will also have a screensaver that will display when no one is using the phone. This will be fully customised for you too.

Question 5

What do we get back after the event?

Accepted Answer

You will receive all the recorded video messages from your celebration, you will also get an edited video with all those videos combined with the music from your special day!

These will be delivered digitally and you will get a wooden USB in a small wooden box as a keepsake with everything on there.

Question 6

What is an Audio Guestbook?

Accepted Answer

An Audio Guestbook is a old style telephone that has been adapted to record voice messages rather than make calls. These are used at special occasions and events a a replacement for the traditional guestbook. A personalised message can be recorded to encourage guests to leave their message. Then on the day the phone just needs turned on a placed in an accessible location so guests can pick up the phone and leave their well wishes and memories in their own voice for you to relive in the future.

Question 7

What makes your Audio Guestbooks different?

Accepted Answer

While other companies offer the phone and sign hire they just provide you with the raw or slightly edited messages. What I do differently is I combine the cleaned up messages with music from your special occasions such as the song you walked down the aisle to or the song that was playing when you had your first kiss etc.

This also brings all the messages together into one easy to listen to file rather than having to click through them all individually.

I do also provide all the cleaned up audio messages as individual files alongside your edited audio guestbook.

Question 8

What happens when I order an Audio Guestbook?

Accepted Answer

When you enquire about purchasing an Audio Guestbook I will ask you what date or dates the event will be held so I can ensure the guestbook phone is available on those dates. Once this is confirmed I will then arrange a date a few days before your event to deliver the guestbook phone so that you have it in plenty time for your event. This will either be delivered in person or by post. This also means you have time to familiarise yourself with it and record your welcome message, there will be instructions included on how you do this. You or someone you trust can ensure the phone is set up on the event day. When the event is over the phone should be returned to me, either by post or I can pick it up. I then download the audio, make sure it sounds good and pair the messages with your selected songs and interviews depending on the package you have chosen. You will then receive the audio digitally for a approval before I send out your own USB with the audio loaded onto it for you to keep forever.

Question 9

Where should I put the Audio Guestbook at the event?

Accepted Answer

I recommend putting the Audio Guestbook far enough out of the way of loud music that you can hear the messages clearly but not too far that nobody knows where it is. Once you find your spot make sure guests know where they can find it.

Question 10

Do I need to plug the phone in?

Accepted Answer

No, the black and cream Audio Guestbook phones are operated with 3 AA batteries  which should last for 48hrs of continued use or 7 days in standby.

The white Audio Guestbook phone is operated by an inbuilt rechargeable battery which should last at least 8 hours with decant usage (but I've seen it last longer with heavy use).

Question 11

How many recordings can it hold?

Accepted Answer

The Audio Guestbook has an 8GB SD card installed which should be enough to hold plenty of recordings to cover your whole event. If you are holding a particularly large event over a couple of days I can include larger storage.

Question 12

What is an audio time capsule?

Accepted Answer

An audio time capsule is a personalised audio documentary, recording life stories and preserving memories in their own voice.  It's like a private podcast or audiobook all about yourself or a loved one that can be shared with family and friends. It involves interviewing a person or multiple people about their life story in one or more sessions and recording this. This is then professionally edited together with songs chosen by them and sounds to enhance their stories and reflects their personality. The finished product is available digitally or in physical media forms such as USB sticks or CDs so this can be listened back to by family or friends and can be shared with every future generation.

Question 13

How does the Audio Time Capsule interview process work?

Accepted Answer

For the interview I usually ask the subject to prepare a bullet pointed list of what they would like to discuss. This helps to get people thinking about what they want to say before hand and usually makes the recording flow better.
 It helps for this to be in a rough order, for example beginning with who they are, their family history, their parents, their birth, early years and school, growing up, jobs they had, holidays they went on, relationships and stories up to the present day. Whilst they recount their story from this list I can ask additional questions that I think could be interesting to add and usually the subject remembers more stories naturally too. You are also free to let me know specific topics in advance that I can also ask about.

If the subject does not wish to write down a list of stories to discuss I can conduct a typical question and answer interview. However, this can sometimes make people feel quite on the spot and they can often remember more they wished to say after the recording is over

Question 14

How long is the recording process?

Accepted Answer

I tailor this to you!

The shortest interview session would be an hour for a 30 minute audio time capsule. I can spend the whole day with you or I can split longer interviews over multiple days.

This helps to maximise the memories and stories that are captured in your audio time capsule.

I should also note that if you have chosen a Bronze Package I would spend around an hour with you. If you have chosen a Gold Package I can spend a few hours with you.

Question 15

Why the different packages?

Accepted Answer

The different packages are there to suit different price ranges for the audio time capsules.

No matter what package you pick you can rest assured that every audio time capsule will be professionally recorded and crafted.

I base these on the length of time I can spend on your capsule so I can spend longer talking to you and creating your capsule with a Silver and Gold packages than I can with Bronze.

The business and charity/community group packages offer different services such as podcasting adverts and documentaries so packages and prices will be tailored to suit the individual requirements here.

Question 16

How long is the turnaround for an audio time capsule?

Accepted Answer

This depends on a number of factors. First a consultation should take place and a date arraigned for the interview recording to take place.  The recording could be done in one day or across multiple sessions on multiple days.

Once the recording has been completed the editing and mixing of the audio should take no more than a week when it would be sent to you for final approval. Once you are happy with the audio time capsule and this has been confirmed with me I will package the final product as requested and send this to you.

The exact amount of time the edit and mixing would take depends on the package purchased e.g. a Bronze Capsule would take less time to edit than a Gold Capsule.

Question 17

What happens when I buy a gift certificate for someone?

Accepted Answer

When you buy a gift certificate you will either get a e-gift certificate or physical gift certificate that you can gift to the person you wish to record an audio time capsule. Once they have received the gift certificate you or they can reach out to me to arrange the recording date where I will visit the subjects house (unless otherwise arraigned) and record their life story. I then edit the audio and deliver their audio time capsule in the preferred formats.

Question 18

What makes an audio time capsule different from recording my own family?

Accepted Answer

I take the recording and use my experience to professionally edit it into an audio documentary about the subject including music and sounds to build on the stories told. This helps to recreate them in the listeners mind and reflect the personality of the subject through their song choices

Editing the audio is the part of making an audio time capsule that takes the longest amount of time. From cleaning it up (removing any coughs or any part with me asking questions) to picking out the best stories to make into the capsule. I also take the time to build a narrative that helps each part of the subject's life story flow together into an understandable story that is easy to listen through. Then I build on that with sounds and music to tie everything together like a nice neat little audio bow. That is mostly what you will pay for when you buy an audio time capsule.

But that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to answering this question. 
- I have experience in interviewing a range of people that allows me to pick up on certain parts of the interview and ask more questions about that to get just a bit more information out of the subject. 
- The equipment I use is professional quality and will achieve a clearer sound than a phone recording would. 
- I can licence certain music for use in these audio time capsules that is included in the price.

Question 19

How do we get the audio/video guestbook phone?

Accepted Answer

When you book an audio or video guestbook I will take a delivery address from you. I will then send the guestbook phone to you a few days before the date of your event.

These will be posted to you through Royal Mail, and when I send the phone you will be notified by Royal Mail at the provided email address where you can adjust the delivery details if you need to.

The guestbook phones will be sent via Tracked 24 delivery meaning you will get it one day after I post it. Someone will have to be in to take delivery of the phone and sign for the package. Just so I know you definitely got it.

Question 20

How do we return the audio/video guestbook phone to you?

Accepted Answer

With every audio/video guestbook delivery I will include a return postage label. All you need to do is ensure the phone & frame are safely packed in the same box you received them in, attach the return label to the box and seal it up.

You will only have a few days after your event to return the package, usually 6 days from when you first received it. After then your return label will no longer be valid.

I will make sure you are aware of the return date before I send the phone.

Question 21

What area's do you serve?

Accepted Answer

For Audio or Video Guestbooks I can post these out all across the UK (there may be some limitations for more remote locations).

For Recorded Life Stories I can travel within Central Scotland including Fife, Edinburgh, Glasgow and the surrounding area's.

If you are further afield and want to purchase an audio time capsule this can also be arranged, however it may incur additional travel charges.

Question 22

What are you doing to be more accessible?

Accepted Answer

I offer a transcription of your audio time capsule that would also be included on delivery of the product.

All of the images on the website and social media have alt text associated with them, I try to keep fonts clear and a decent readable size and I try to keep a high colour contrast to make sure all text is legible.

If there is anything more I can do to make the products or website more accessible for you do get in touch.

Question 23

How can I pay?

Accepted Answer

You can pay either via a bank transfer or I will send a payment link via Stripe.

The payment link will allow you to pay via a number of methods such as your card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, Link, Klarna and Revolut Pay.

Question 24

How environmentally friendly is Time Capsule Productions?

Accepted Answer

We will use public transport to get to as many interview locations as possible.

Any USB sticks provided will be made from eco-friendly materials and we will avoid plastic packaging where possible.

Time Capsule Productions aim to be very environmentally friendly and will continue to consider the impact of any services we provide and make improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions