Imperial Media

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What formats do you accept for audio transfers?

For audio transfers, Imperial Media accepts the following formats:

• Two-track reel-to-reel
• Cassette
• CD-R
• Mini-disc
• Digital Audio Tape (DAT)
• PMCD master (pre-mastered CD)
• 1640
• CD-Rom (with WAV, SD II, MPEG or AIFF files).

What formats do you accept for video transfers?

For video transfers, Imperial Media accepts the following formats:

• Beta SP
• Digital Beta
• HD CAM
• Mini-DV
• DVC Pro
• DV CAM
• VHS

We can transfer to DVD or to any of the video formats listed.

What is the difference between the NTSC and PAL?

NTSC and PAL are both video broadcast formats used in different parts of the world. The United States favors a format called NTSC, which is short for National Television Standards Committee, while Europe, Australia and parts of Asia use a competing format called PAL, or Phase Alternating Line.

In terms of technical differences, PAL has fewer frames per second, but it also has more lines than NTSC. PAL television broadcasts contain 625 lines of resolution, compared to NTSC's 525. More lines usually mean more visual information, which equals better picture quality and resolution. Whenever NTSC videotape is converted to PAL, black bars are often used to compensate for the smaller screen aspect, much like letterboxing for widescreen movies.

Do you do NTSC to PAL and PAL to NTSC transfers?

Yes, Imperial Media can transfer between PAL and NTSC broadcast standards. Our state of the art facilities allow us to accommodate PAL to NTSC and NTSC to PAL in all the formats listed above.