CATALINA'S

PHONE: 858-350-8779, FAX: 858-350-8779. EMAIL: catalinas@aol.com

DIGITAL VIDEO CONVERSION

A LOW-COST SERVICE FROM CATALINA’S

If during a trip abroad, say the UK or Spain or France, you purchased a video that was of interest, we can imagine your dismay when, reaching home, you were unable to watch it. You have discovered, firsthand,  that video standards are not the same worldwide. However, all is not lost, since for a reasonable cost, your VHS video can be converted to the US VHS video Standards. 

WHAT IS VIDEO STANDARDS CONVERSION ?

ARE THE VHS VIDEOTAPES, USED IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES SIMILAR?

WHEN DO YOU NEED TO CONVERT YOUR VIDEOTAPES?  

HOW DO I PLACE AN ORDER FOR CONVERTING MY VIDEOTAPES?  

DO YOU ALSO CONVERT VHS VIDEOS INTO DVD's?

DO YOU ALSO CONVERT CLIPS OF VHS VIDEOS INTO STREAMING VIDEOS TO ADD TO A WEBSITE?

Digital Video Standards Conversion

Use this service for very high quality digital video conversion from (or to) non-US video standards ( PAL, M-PAL, N-PAL, SECAM, MESECAM) to (or from) the US video standards (NTSC). There is no longer the need to pay up to $40.00 per conversion of a videotape. Now, for as little as $9.99 (plus shipping costs), you can get up to 2 hours of one of your VHS videos converted from one of the above standards to another. And, we provide the blank videotape needed, at no additional cost.

WHAT IS VIDEO STANDARDS CONVERSION

VHS is, by far, the World’s leading videotape format for home use. However, different parts of the World today use different video standards for broadcasting, recording and playback. Here’s is a partial list:

ARE THE VHS VIDEOTAPES, USED IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES SIMILA R?

  Yes and No. The videocassette has the same physical dimensions. However, its length of play will be different. The reason is that the NTSC system uses tapes at a higher rate (2 meters/min) than PAL or SECAM (1.42 meters/min).

WHEN DO YOU NEED TO CONVERT YOUR VIDEOTAPES?

Conversion is needed if a videotape, recorded in one country, is to be played back in another country where a different video standard is used. For example, if you purchased a video in Spain or the UK (Both have a PAL video Standards), and you live in the US, you will not be able to view it, since the US uses the NTSC video Standards. The video has to be converted. Similarly, if you would like to send a video recorded in the US to a friend in France (where the video standards is SECAM), the video has to be converted. Here are some actual examples from recent orders received:

1. A number of customers had their friends, in Europe, send them  locally recorded programs (weddings, birthday parties) to be viewed in the US. This is an example of a need for a PAL to NTSC conversion.

2. A customer, part of a wine tasting fraternity, traveled to France, made a video of the various activities and then asked our help to produce SECAM versions of his video to send back to attendees from France.

3. A professional in the US asked us to convert his US made presentation into PAL to send to customers in Europe.

4. A Scottish soccer team coach contacted us to produce an NTSC version of a PAL video he had made , requested that we send it to three US coaches in the US, and then return the original back to him in Scotland..

HOW DO I PLACE AN ORDER FOR CONVERTING MY VIDEOTAPES?

In order to ensure that your order is handled properly, please follow the instructions below, BEFORE you mail your videotapes to us:

1. Call or email Catalina’s to verify that your video conversion needs can be met. Tell us the  length and quantity of videos involved, where you are located and where you would like the converted and original videos shipped (back to you? A different location?).
2. Receive a quote for the service, including shipping and handling.
3. Arrange to have your videotape(s) delivered to our street address :                                  Catalina's, 667 South Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, CA 92075, USA
4.  Please make sure to include your return address, phone, fax and email addresses.
5. Please include payment (check or money order) for the quote received.
6. The original and the converted videotapes are then shipped back , according to your instructions, within 24 hours .
7. For overseas customers, please note that you can send us your original video with instructions to mail converted copies to US addresses and return of the original back to you.
8. For US customers, you can send us your original with instructions to send converted copies to overseas destinations and return of the original back to you.
9. As you can see, the process is simple, quick and economical.

DO YOU ALSO CONVERT VHS VIDEOS INTO DVD's ?

Yes, we do. Please click here for information on this service. 

DO YOU ALSO CONVERT CLIPS OF VHS VIDEOS INTO STREAMING VIDEOS TO ADD TO A WEBSITE? 

Yes, we also do that. Please click here for information on this exciting service