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Frequently Asked Questions
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What's
the difference between NTSC, PAL and SECAM videos?
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What
videos can I play in my VCR?
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What
about DVDs? Are they universal?
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I own a PAL video, and
need to convert it to NTSC. How can I do that?
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I've
never ordered on-line before. What do I need to know?
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I
have a problem with something I bought through on of the links on your
site. What should I do? Can you help?
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What's the
difference between NTSC, PAL and SECAM videos?
NTSC is the video format used in the USA and Canada.
PAL is the format used in the UK and most western European
nations. SECAM is the format used in Africa,
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What videos can
I play in my VCR?
Unless you have a multi-system or universal VCR (and TV), you
can only use video format native to where you live. For example,
if you live in the U.S. or Canada, you can only use NTSC formatted
videos. PAL and SECAM formatted videos will not work in an NTSC
VCR.
Televisions are also NTSC, PAL or SECAM 'formatted' (for lack of a
better term). If you have a PAL VCR it will not work with an
American television set. The same is true in reverse
for European made tellies. A multi-system or universal television is required.
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What
about DVDs? Are they universal?
No. DVDs are not formatted, but they are coded by
region. North America is Region 1; Europe is Region 2;
Australia, New Zealand, South and Central America are region 4.
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I own a PAL video,
and need to convert it to NTSC. How can I do that?
Contact a video conversion service (look under "Videos" in
the U.S. Yellow Pages). Some vendors are nervous about copyright
issues, as well they should, however if you purchased a PAL (or SECAM)
video and explain to them you simply want a copy that you can watch,
they most likely will convert the tape for you. If they don't,
check with another vendor. I recommend that you contact a video
conversion service before purchasing a PAL video to make sure
they are willing to convert the tape for you. There's nothing worse
than having a Dougray-film in your hand that you can't watch!
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I've
never ordered on-line before. What do I need to know?
First, most on-line retailers and those linked here, ask that you
register or sign-up on their site. This is simply to establish
an account for you.
Secondly, each retailer has a customer service or help desk that will
address specific questions regarding doing business with them.
These are listed in #6.
Finally, most retailers will take credit
cards, checks and money orders. Cash is usually not accepted.
When ordering an item in a different country than your own, it is
highly recommended that you make the purchase with a credit card. This
is for several reasons:
a) the retailer and or credit card
handles the currency conversion for you
b) should you have a problem
with the order or non-delivery, your credit card company can intervene
c) it's much faster! Most retailers, especially
those linked on this site, have secure connections to protect your
credit card number from hackers so you can safely purchase on-line.
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I
have a problem with something I bought through one of the links on
your site. What should I do? Can you help?
First, contact the customer service or help desk from
the company in which you made the purchase. Secondly, and sadly,
I personally, will not be able to assist you as I am only providing
you with a link to the seller. I would however, like to know if
you have problems and if they are resolved so I can decide whether or
not to continue pointing other fans in the direction of the 'seller'.
Listed below are Customer Service/Help Desk links to the various
seller's I have noted on this site:
Amazon: helpdesk
BlackStar Video: helpdesk
Highlander: call Customer Service at 1-800-959-2481
or
email: customerservice@highlander-official.com
Nostalgia Factory: call Customer Service at 1-800-479-8754
or email: posters@nostalgia.com
Videoflicks: helpdesk
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