Duplication & Conversion Services

All of the products and services we offer may be bought or used by ANYONE. It is true the majority of our work is for broadcast or professional companies but we also regularly convert weddings, family gatherings and celebrations to or from worldwide standards, DVD and most popular formats. There are no differences in the pricing or quality for a domestic or broadcast customer. So please feel free to contact us for any style of work.

Simple answer is yes. But please check that we support the format and standard your tape is (LP, EP or standard). But we do have most machines and standards available. The conversion can be carried out either as a standard format conversion or a full broadcast standards conversion with either our latest Snell & Wilcox Alchemist Platinum PHC - considered to be the finest available, or our Snell & Wilcox MACH1.

Without getting technical it is difficult to describe the differences - it really comes down to a straightforward visual difference. The strongest visible difference is when there is any movement in the piece - including panning, moving titles, anything where the picture changes, a four field conversion will appear jagged and jerky. With the Alchemist Platinum PHC movement is detected and basically pixel changes are plotted and transformation smoothed. A frame by frame playback of a fast scrolling title transferred by Alchemist will show full detail of the title, while other conversions will lose clarity and definition. The increased charges for Alchemist conversions reflects the cost of equipment involved, and to pay for a broadcast standard conversion is your decision, but once material is converted all subsequent copying or playback is to that quality, and unless the conversion is going to VHS we would consider the quality gain worth having.

Always a leading question because of the variables involved - length of transfer, quantity involved etc. but we normally achieve a turnaround time of under 24 hours. Having said that personal callers are normally able to collect the completed job the same day. For really express jobs we will agree a completion time (subject to payment of an additional fee).

All transfer work is carried out at our premises in W1 and the closer you arrive to our opening time, (9.00 am Monday to Friday), the easier you will find it to book the work in. Additionally it gives us a better chance to complete the job the same day.

Our concept of a facility centre was one that allowed maximum freedom for the customer. To that end we decided that the bookings system was to be disregarded, since it ties customers down to a schedule, forces equipment to be kept free and increases administration costs. Booking systems also force operating costs up with a consequent rise in customer charges. Since we have this straightforward approach - first in, first on - our ability to process the customers requirements is second to none - and why we offer great value for money. The only obvious exception to the no booking rule is for an attended edit where times are pre-booked.

If your business involves the use of equipment to make or process a product then it is sensible business practice to cost each operation to arrive at a price to sell your product. This enabled 'facility houses' to take a straight view on pricing by charging in half-hour sections - obviously where transfers fall outside the charging band it is an advantage as the charge per minute rate increases. With the vast combinations of machines / transfers it had been difficult to raise a price list for a finished product, hence the confusing way of charging machine time. We took the view that to make life simple, a straightforward approach had to be taken - hence our pricing structures that include all costs (apart from tape stock), and also why we do not charge machine time.

If you wish to bring in new blank stock for your recordings we have no objections - but it should be noted that our origins lie in the supply of blank stock and we pride ourselves on the ability to supply the right product at the best price. Should you want to check prices please ask our sales desk, and we will normally match or beat prices obtained elsewhere - saving extra courier charges in bringing stock to us, and even designed to give you less stress. Please note that where stock is brought in to us we cannot guarantee the quality of that stock and we do not accept used stock for recording on to.

We have the facility at Wardour Street allowing customers to view most tape types before booking work. Obviously we place time limits on this free service but we try and be as flexible as possible.

For same day duplication, tapes can be brought to our premises at 147 Wardour Street, London W1F 8WD, 020 7439 0311. If your duplication is not so urgent, tapes can also be taken to 42-48 Brunel Road, Westway Estate, Acton, London W3 7XR, 020 8749 2939 or 55 Fleece Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 5JR, 020 8398 7843. Master tapes may be sent to 147 Wardour Street, London W1F 8WD. Please ensure that your full details (name, address and phone numbers) as well as instructions are included in the package. If sending the master to us, please ensure that relevant insurance is taken out and a reputable courier is used. As with all facility houses, our liability for all tapes in our care is limited to the value of the tape only. Tapes can be collected by us ONLY if the order is valued at over £150 and you are in our collection area.

We are open 9.00 am till 5.30 pm Monday to Friday and do not close for lunch.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS