Requests

Masumasu Anime is currently OPEN.

Please remember that you can request that your tapes be recorded in NTSC or PAL, using Standard, HiFi, or SVHS tapes, regardless of the source format of the tape being requested.  (I've decided to no longer offer PAL SVHS tapes because my standards converter cannot convert at SVHS resolution so they're a waste.)

Rules

  1. If you want to do a tape-for-tape trade, anything goes.  Please e-mail if you want to discuss a trade.

  2. The maximum number of tapes you can order at once is 4 if you're requesting PAL tapes, or 6 if you're requesting NTSC tapes. Requests for more may be entertained if we are not busy.  Special arrangements for clubs or for SVHS requestors.

  3. Requests can be for either SVHS or VHS tapes, or a mixture.

  4. We will record your tapes on "Standard" tape (NEC E-180 or similar depending on availability) unless you specify that "HiFi" or "Premium" (the same grade, either TDK E-HG HiFi E-180 or Fuji SHG E-180) tape is to be used. All SVHS requests will be recorded on Fuji Pro 625 E-180 or TDK XP SP-180 SVHS tape.

  5. Tapes can be recorded in either NTSC or PAL, regardless of the source system of the tape.  Therefore you need to specify whether you want your tapes in NTSC or PAL.

  6. Tapes can be recorded in VHS or SVHS, regardless of the source recording mode of the tape.  (Note that using an SVHS tape for a tape held in VHS format is something of a waste, however.  Likewise, using an SVHS tape for a PAL request is something of a waste because my standards convertor cannot handle full SVHS resolution.)

  7. For full information including explanations of the above, please go here.

Making a Request

  1. Select the tapes you wish to have copied for you

  2. Send e-mail to David Eddy with a subject of "Tape Request", stating the tapes you want copied, the tape type you want, and the recording system you want the tapes recorded in.  Please indicate in your e-mail the country you will want the tapes shipped to.  (If you don't say, I have to assume you're from Australia and I'll quote costs and tape availability based on that assumption.  If you later expect me to ship outside Australia I'll have to regretfully return your money.)

  3. I will reply giving fuller instructions.  Please note that your e-mail may be queued so that I can prevent accumulation of a backlog.

Cost Matrix

All prices are in Australian Dollars.  This cost matrix is for requests within Australia only.  See below for international requests.

Note - costs for postage have changed. Since deciding to change to cardboard boxes to simplify my shipping problems, I can no longer use parcel post satchels. I've averaged the cost of postage based on where most requests go. Some packages are now cheaper, some more expensive.

No. of Tapes Pick Up Tapes Posted Within Australia
Standard Premium SVHS Standard Premium SVHS
1 5 8 13 12 15 20
2 10 16 26 17 23 33
3 15 24 39 22 31 46
4 20 32 52 29 41 61
5 25 40 65 34 49 74
6 30 48 78 39 56 87
7 35 56 91 45 66 101
8 40 64 104 50 74 114

Note that some tapes require the use of an E-240 tape.  If such a tape is required, there will be an additional cost of $2 per E-240 tape.

International Requests

I've finally worked out how I'm going to handle international requests.  Note that I will not ship tapes that are commercially available in their region into that region, no matter what their status in Australia.

Tapes sent internationally have a special packaging system, since I can't use the prepaid postage satchels that I use within Australia.  Each tape will be packaged individually in a special cardboard video tape carrier designed for use in the post - the final package is about the size of a video tape inside a library case, but made of shock-absorbing cardboard.  Multiple-tape orders will be packaged by taping these containers together into a single package.  Packages are sent "Economy Air", which usually takes about 2 weeks for delivery from the date of dispatch.

Tape-for-tape trades, particularly in SVHS, are strongly encouraged instead of making ordinary requests.  We are interested in both quality upgrades of existing tapes as well as new material.

Here is the table of costs for straight requests.  Because of the high cost of postage overseas, only "Premium" VHS and SVHS tapes are listed here.  (Compare these costs to those in the table above if you don't believe me!)  Please talk to me directly if you want to make special arrangements or mix tape types.  Costs in this table are in AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS:

No. of Tapes USA - VHS  USA - SVHS Europe - VHS Europe - SVHS
1 28 34 29 35
2 53 65 55 67
3 74 92 77 95
4 99 123 103 127
5 121 151 125 155
6 143 179 148 184

Here are the costs rephrased in US Dollars, assuming a 0.55 conversion rate:

No. of Tapes USA - VHS  USA - SVHS Europe - VHS Europe - SVHS
1 16 19 16 19
2 29 36 30 37
3 41 51 43 52
4 55 68 57 70
5 67 83 69 85
6 79 99 82 101

By the standards of US fansub distributors, these costs are incredibly high.  The difference is due to the cost of postage; per-tape cost excluding postage is US$5 per tape for VHS and US$8 per tape for SVHS.

Payment will be discussed on a case by case basis, but in general payments must be made in Australian Dollars, whether cash (notes only!) or international postal money order.  US dollar cash (notes only!) is also accepted.  No other currencies without special arrangement, please, or your request will regretfully be returned.

This page was last updated 5 July, 2001.