DVD Information

Updated with new info on 04/1/10. This is long, but everything here has been asked by a fan at some point. Please read this before contacting me. It will hopefully save time and misunderstandings if you read first.

 

The pages linked below have lists of shows I have and don't have available on homemade DVDs. I prefer to trade, but will make DVDs in exchange for money to cover expenses. I can only do this as my time permits. I usually mail DVDs within a week. If you're interested, send me (Carolyn) a U2U message on the Message Board or an e-mail to carolyn@asjcollection.com. I'm just a fan trying to help other fans. I am not a business and I am not making a profit. Your patience and consideration is appreciated.

 

The video and audio quality on these vary. Some are excellent and others only fair, but they're the best quality that I've found in decades of trading. I am constantly looking to upgrade the quality of the recordings. I also use processing software to increase the quality of old recordings. Although I can't work miracles, I've made almost every recording look or sound better than what I originally started with. Recordings made direct from TV to DVD are sharper, with better picture quality, than those originally recorded to VHS tape (because VHS can't hold as much picture information as DVD). I have noted the high quality direct to DVD recordings on the lists.

 

Because there are now wonderful commercial releases of all three AS&J seasons, I do not make DVDs of AS&J episodes.

 

I only make NTSC (US) format DVDs. Many DVD players will play both PAL (European) and NTSC formats; check your owner's manual when in doubt. In trade, I can accept NTSC VHS tapes or DVDs in any format. For a trade, I can also copy a NTSC VHS tape to DVD and then return the tape to its owner.

 

I can make discs in DVD-R or DVD+R format. When you send a show list, please also tell me which format (DVD-R or DVD+R) you need! If you don't know which format your DVD player requires, look up the info on your manufacturer and model number at VideoHelp.com. Computer DVD drives can play either format.

 

If you don't have anything to trade, I accept monetary reimbursement by Paypal. Please don't send money until we've discussed the DVDs first. To use Paypal, go to http://www.paypal.com, click on the Send Money option at the top of the page, for recipient type in carolyn@asjcollection.com, and use the checkbox for "Goods." (Paypal will send me your address if you check "Goods.") I can receive money from credit cards by Paypal. I don't take checks or money orders (except through Paypal) because I must go to the bank during the day to cash them and this is time consuming. I require reimbursement for expenses before I make the DVDs.

 

If you don't have anything to trade, to cover expenses I request $4.00 for each DVD in a US mailing. For international mailings, I request $5.25 per DVD. There is no separate request for postage; it's included. This is absolute--I don't haggle. This reimbursement does not cover my time, which I give freely. It covers the costs of media, ink, DVD cases, packaging, postage, gas, currency conversion fees on international mailings, hard drives to store files, video processing software, capture and burn equipment, and some original source recordings. There is much more to this than just buying a blank disc. In 2009 alone, I spent over $800 buying recordings, video processing software, and new hard drives. I don't expect to recover all expenses, but I request a reasonable reimbursement that will help me recover some.

 

When possible, I record in the highest quality mode available to homemade DVDs. Therefore, a 1-hour program normally fits only 1 show per disc. Thirty minute shows are usually two per disc. Longer movies have been recorded at the maximum quality that will fit onto a standard DVD. The files for all shows are already DVD authored. These master files are stored on hard drives (including back-up to a second hard drive) and await copy to blank discs as needed. Hard drive storage is much preferred over storage on homemade organic dye DVDs because magnetic media hard drives preserve data integrity better. Because the DVD files are authored, I can't readily change how programs are grouped together on a DVD.

 

DVD players can be finicky with homemade DVDs. The brand of disc is important, as well as keeping the surface free of scratches, fingerprints, dust, etc. I use only high quality Taiyo Yuden, Verbatim, Philips, or Memorex discs. I write verify to insure proper file transfer. The discs are burned with either Nero or CyberLink software. The discs have inkjet printable surfaces and DVD labels are printed directly to the disc.

 

There have been very few problems with the discs that I've sent out. However, homemade DVDs do occasionally freeze or have compatibilty issues. If something doesn't play right, first try cleaning the disc with a duster spray of compressed gas. If that doesn't work, please let me know and we'll get the problem fixed!

 

To protect the disc surface and hub, I send them in compact polyethylene DVD/CD cases. Depending on the weight of the package and its destination, I use either U.S. Postal Service (USPS) first class or priority mail or Federal Express Ground (Home) delivery. International mailings are sent by air mail. The new USPS flat rate small boxes will hold 9 DVDs. Therefore, it saves me money on postage if you request DVDs in groups of 9 rather than groups of 10; this is especially true for international mailings.

 

A request: Please don't sell the DVDs that I send you over eBay or at other online venues. I've put considerable time and money into them and it is very annoying to see others profit monetarily from my efforts.

 

Thank you for reading. Now on to the lists! Just use one of the links below.

 

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