FAQ’S: Tape Conversion

What happens to the original tape? 

We return the original tape with a new converted tape to you.

Are there any extra charges?

No, the price listed is all included for the converting of the tapes into a new tape, processing, and return shipping of your tapes.

How long does it usually take?

From the day you send us the tapes it could take 3-4 business days for us to receive the tapes. It takes us another 2-3 business days to processes your tape conversion order and ship it back to you, and 2-3 business days for ups to delivery your tapes to you. In total, we require 7-10 working days to convert the tapes and get them back to you. We ship by UPS so please send a return street address, no P.O. Boxes please. 
Call us or e-mail us for more information. 

Are there discounts for large tape conversions order?

Yes, there is a 33% discount on tape conversion for orders of 5or more tape conversion.

How do I place a tape conversion order?

All you have to do is send the tapes with a money order or cashiers check payable to 110220volts.com to

110220volts.com

7921 N. Crawford Ave.

Skokie, IL 60076

With a note stating what system it is in and what system you would like us to convert the tapes to. We ship by UPS so please send a return street address, no P.O. Boxes please.

What are NTSC, PAL and SECAM?

NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) is a standard used in North America and Japan. It has the ability to display up to 525 lines of resolution. PAL (Phase Alternating Line), a standard used almost everywhere else in the world, has the ability to display 625 lines of resolution. SECAM (Sequential Color Memory) is used sparingly around the world and can be found in France, parts of Greece, Eastern Europe, Russia, Africa and a few other parts of the world. However, any SECAM country can display PAL tapes in full color, but not all PAL countries can display all SECAM tapes in color. Only if they are true SECAM and not MESECAM can those VCR's display SECAM.

What video standard does my country use?

If you're in North America, Japan, Korea, the Philippines and parts of South America, you use NTSC. Most other areas of the world use PAL or SECAM. Half of Brazil uses NTSC while the other half uses PAL-M. Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay use PAL-N. The rest of the world uses mainly PAL. If you're unsure what your video standard is, contact your local cable or broadcast company. Also, on the back of most videotape is indicating what video standard the tape is. This is a good representation of what your video standard is.

Do I need special types of videotapes to record in different video standards?

No, videotapes are blank. You can get a blank tape and record any video standard onto it.

How do I watch overseas videotapes?

Videotapes come in variety standards, each incompatible with the other. To watch videotapes from overseas that are not the same video standard as your own, you'll need what is called a multisystem VCR and a multisystem TV, or a Digital Video Standards Converter and VCR, or a VCR with a built-in Converter.

What is a multisystem VCR?

Different areas of the world use different video standards. North America uses NTSC, Europe uses PAL and SECAM, and South America uses PAL-M, PAL-N, PAL and NTSC. Almost every area of the world has a mixture of video standards. Unfortunately, none of these standards are compatible with each other. A multisystem VCR has the ability to play videotapes of different video standards.

World TV System and Voltage Guide

· PAL stands for phase alternation lines(625 lines) offers more picture detail and wider luminance (color signal) bandwidth. PAL has been adopted by almost all 50 HZ (50 cycles) countries in the world.

· NTSC stands for national television standard committee which established american TV broadcast TV standard as a 525 line broadcast. NTSC system has higher frame rate which reduces visible flicker and picture noise.