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Scuba Forum / General / July 2004Video Tapes and Airport Security
Just met briefly with my dive buddy from Coz. He purchased one of the resort tapes of one of our dives along with another tape of him and the dolphins. While we were down there he asked about sending these through the x-ray machine in the airports. I told him I wasn't sure, but I am certain I had sent computer disks through with images on them, and they made it through OK. When he arrived home, ALL of his videos were ruined. Anyone else have any experience with sending video tapes through x-ray machines. I would think that carrying them through the metal detectors would ruin them since they have a magnetic field, but I was kind of suprised about the x-ray machine. Andy > Just met briefly with my dive buddy from Coz. > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Anyone else have any experience with sending video tapes through x-ray > machines. I find that a bit surprising. I pass a notebook computer, a separate hard drive, a digital PDA, a flash ram and a couple of secure data cards through the x-ray machines a few times a month. I've not had a problem so far. I'm a bit surprised that he had problems with video tapes. Lee >>Just met briefly with my dive buddy from Coz. >> [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > the x-ray machines a few times a month. I've not had a problem so far. I'm > a bit surprised that he had problems with video tapes. I was quite surprised also. Having sent 3.5" floppies through without problem, I was surprised at this. The floppies and the tape are essentially the same medium. >Just met briefly with my dive buddy from Coz. > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > >Andy Some people claim that the motors that drive the belts themselves can cause problems. The only magnetic media I'll pass through xrays is the disk drive. Everything else gets a hand check. This is from 100,000 miles a year of experience. I put my slower speed film (400 and lower) in a lead foil bag. Had it checked almost every time. I demand that higher speed film be hand checked, as is your option at all times, regardless of what the droids tell you. This, of course, doesn't apply to foreign airports, but I've found them all friendly enough to do it anyways. I'm also suspiciuos of some foreign xray machines. I feel like I should be wearing a film badge and dosemeter around them.  Signaturedillon When I was a kid, I thought the angel's name was Hark and the horse's name was Bob. > Some people claim that the motors that drive the belts themselves can > cause problems. The only magnetic media I'll pass through xrays is [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > machines. I feel like I should be wearing a film badge and dosemeter > around them. When I was traveling I had all of my camera stuff in a large plastic ziplock. I took it out of my shoulder bag before passing through every security check and had it hand checked and handed back to me on the other side. Worked like a charm. > >While we were down there he asked about sending these through the x-ray > >machine in the airports. I told him I wasn't sure, but I am certain I > >had sent computer disks through with images on them, and they made it > >through OK. > > > >When he arrived home, ALL of his videos were ruined. Just an alternative thought - The tapes may be fine but recorded in the wrong standard. Some foreign machines record differently than what those in the US and Canada. My shop records tapes for tourists and have one machine for set for Europeans that need the other format. Occasionally they get a call that a tape is bad, usually the turists wanted the other format but then tried to play the tape while still in the US. The shop is starting to shift to DVD's now but duping equipment is costly compared to a VCR. >>>While we were down there he asked about sending these through the x-ray >>>machine in the airports. I told him I wasn't sure, but I am certain I [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > tried to play the tape while still in the US. The shop is starting to > shift to DVD's now but duping equipment is costly compared to a VCR. That is a thought. Which prompts the question, how to get it on a tape with a US format. > > Just an alternative thought - The tapes may be fine but recorded in the > > wrong standard. Some foreign machines record differently than what those [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Which prompts the question, how to get it on a tape with a US format. I'm sure there are services around to handle the job. If you expect it to be common, I'm pretty sure there are dual standard machines available as well. Lee >>>Just an alternative thought - The tapes may be fine but recorded in the >>>wrong standard. Some foreign machines record differently than what those [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > be common, I'm pretty sure there are dual standard machines available as > well. I guess I can check around but it wouldn't seem like there would be too much demand for a foreign format VCR. Can't hurt though. >>>>Just an alternative thought - The tapes may be fine but recorded in the >>>>wrong standard. Some foreign machines record differently than what those [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] >I guess I can check around but it wouldn't seem like there would be too >much demand for a foreign format VCR. Can't hurt though. you'd be surprised at how many ntsc/pal machines are around you a friend has a dual format machine thanks to her ex being in the service and "seeing the world". If you know folks that do a lot of traveling or lived overseas, they might have a dual format vhs player. I think a brit friend also has a dual format machine she brought over ... or maybe it's just PAL, but you might just want to start asking around, including at you LDS, travel agency etc. check you local library and colleges, they might have the capability to at the very least see if it's a PAL recorded tape or just "bad"? if you decide to go the conversion service, make sure they confirm the problem is format ... and if it's a bad tape will they charge for popping it in the machine. my 2 cents ... worth a penny at least :) - Ed - Ed -- refillable drysuit talc bag $9.95 ppd http://www.underwaterusa.com >>>>>Just an alternative thought - The tapes may be fine but recorded in the >>>>>wrong standard. Some foreign machines record differently than what those [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > > - Ed Excellent suggestions. Thanks for the input Ed. Andy > I'm sure there are services around to handle the job. If you expect it to > be common, I'm pretty sure there are dual standard machines available as > well. Yeah, but they're still more expensive than a cheap DVD player. >> > Just an alternative thought - The tapes may be fine but recorded in the >> > wrong standard. Some foreign machines record differently than what those [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > >Lee There are NTSC/PAL dual deck recorders around. They don't do a great job of it, that takes REAL money. It's tough enough getting a 24 fps movie on to a 30 fps tape. Many movies are now made using PAL cameras, which shoot at 25 fps. Apparently close enough to film standards. Signaturedillon When I was a kid, I thought the angel's name was Hark and the horse's name was Bob. >>>>Just an alternative thought - The tapes may be fine but recorded in the >>>>wrong standard. Some foreign machines record differently than what those [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > Many movies are now made using PAL cameras, which shoot at 25 fps. > Apparently close enough to film standards. An update to my original question. I talked with my dive buddy from Coz and was asking him about what format he had specified. He mentioned something about SECAM but then said, "I told them to format it for the states". I am suspecting either there was a language problem or he wasn't sure what format it should be in. FWIW, I heard from one of the other divers on our trip. Seems another tape was not "playable" here, but a third one was. It really sounds like the tapes were recorded in the wrong format. I was at the local dive shop the other day and we were discussing it. The owner told me he had put hundreds of tapes through the airport xray machines with no ill effects. >>>>>Just an alternative thought - The tapes may be fine but recorded in the >>>>>wrong standard. Some foreign machines record differently than what those [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] >something about SECAM but then said, "I told them to format it for the >states". SECAM is a format found almost exclusively in France. I think the rest of the world is split between NTSC and PAL, depending on the frequency of the AC power. >I am suspecting either there was a language problem or he wasn't sure >what format it should be in. FWIW, I heard from one of the other divers [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >discussing it. The owner told me he had put hundreds of tapes through >the airport xray machines with no ill effects. Sounds like he may have been asked a question that he didn't know the answer to and gave the wrong one. "What is your favorite color?" "Red, no wait, blue!" sproing Signaturedillon When I was a kid, I thought the angel's name was Hark and the horse's name was Bob. >>>>>>Just an alternative thought - The tapes may be fine but recorded in the >>>>>>wrong standard. Some foreign machines record differently than what those [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > rest of the world is split between NTSC and PAL, depending on the > frequency of the AC power. They LDS guy said that SECAM was more of an Asian format but at this point that is probably irrelevant. If it ain't NTSC and thats what he is trying to watch it on....what difference does it make where SECAM and PAL are prevelant. >>I am suspecting either there was a language problem or he wasn't sure >>what format it should be in. FWIW, I heard from one of the other divers [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > "What is your favorite color?" > "Red, no wait, blue!" sproing I am guessing the same thing. > > Just an alternative thought - The tapes may be fine but recorded in the > > wrong standard. Some foreign machines record differently than what those [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Which prompts the question, how to get it on a tape with a US format. First check that *is* the problem. If it is not a ntsb/ c machine it will say so. Prolly PAL. But it's easier to check first than dupe the tapes again then find the tapes were bad to begin with. >That is a thought. > >Which prompts the question, how to get it on a tape with a US format. Make sure you buy NTSC. PAL is the euro standard. --- Rich http://richlockyer.tripod.com/ <snip> > The shop is starting to >shift to DVD's now but duping equipment is costly compared to a VCR. > Just so you know this may not get around your problem. The two formats used for video are PAL (Europe) and NTSC (America's). Like video tapes, DVD's can be in either PAL or NTSC format. Some DVD players can handle disks of both formats, some cannot. All of these problems come from differences in PAL vs. NTSC resolution (720x576 vs. 720x480) and frame rate (25fps vs 29.97fps). Unless the person you are selling the DVD to has a dual-standard compatible DVD player the DVD's will have the same problem. This has absolutely nothing to do with the "region" setting of the disk. Bryan > <snip> > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > problem. This has absolutely nothing to do with the "region" setting of > the disk. Well, that may explain it!! While in Malaysia, I purchased the DVD that was made of my group diving with the hammerheads, etc., as well as a commercial DVD that had shots of much of the fishies that can be seen in the Celebes Sea. When we tried to play them on my sister's player in Singapore, we couldn't. But they played perfectly on my father's in Jakarta. Me, now I have to go and buy a DVD player so that I can watch them myself. ;^) So thanks for the info! > Well, that may explain it!! While in Malaysia, I purchased the DVD that was > made of my group diving with the hammerheads, etc., as well as a commercial [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Me, now I have to go and buy a DVD player so that I can watch them myself. > ;^) So thanks for the info! Try the DVD's in the player you are going to buy first. If they produced the DVD's themselves, it depends on the format (whether + "plus" or - "dash") dvd they used to burn. My couple of generations old-but-very costly Marantz DVD player won't play dvd's I burn (either the + or -). My new Pioneer will only play the " - " format (in addition to DVD-A, SACD, VCD, MP3, etc..). > > Well, that may explain it!! While in Malaysia, I purchased the DVD that was > > made of my group diving with the hammerheads, etc., as well as a commercial [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > My new Pioneer will only play the " - " format (in addition to DVD-A, > SACD, VCD, MP3, etc..). Thanks, will do. > > > Well, that may explain it!! While in Malaysia, I purchased the DVD that <<SNIPPED>> if you feeel up to it you may also try a hcak to get rid of the region codes, country codes, or zone locks. A number of years ago I was turned onto this web site that would help one play those pesky over seas DVD's. They have changed the name but it still links - I haven't used it in a couple of years The basic site is www.videohelp.com look for DVD hacks or just use the following www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks from the site I quote... Seven regions (also called locales or zones) have been defined, and each one is assigned a number. Players and discs are often identified by their region number superimposed on a world globe. If a disc plays in more than one region it will have more than one number on the globe. 1: U.S., Canada, U.S. Territories 2: Japan, Europe, South Africa, and Middle East (including Egypt) 3: Southeast Asia and East Asia (including Hong Kong) 4: Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Central America, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean 5: Eastern Europe (Former Soviet Union), Indian subcontinent, Africa, North Korea, and Mongolia 6: China 7: Reserved 8: Special international venues (airplanes, cruise ships, etc.) (See the map at <www.blackstar.co.uk/help/help_dvd_regions>.) Technically there is no such thing as a region zero disc or a region zero player. There is such thing as an all-region disc. There are also all-region players. Some players can be "hacked" using special command sequences from the remote control to switch regions or play all regions. Some players can be physically modified ("chipped") to play discs regardless of the regional codes on the disc. This usually voids the warranty, but is not illegal in most countries (since the only thing that requires player manufacturers to region-code their players is the CSS license; see 1.11). Many retailers, especially outside North America, sell players that have already been modified for multiple regions, or in some cases they simply provide instructions on how to access the "secret" region change features already built into the player. PTF > Some players can be "hacked" using special command > sequences from the remote control to switch regions or play all > regions. Some players can be physically modified ("chipped") to play > discs regardless of the regional codes on the disc. This usually voids > the warranty, Adding a chip or changing the software may be a good solution, but before changing region settings by any method that is user accessible people would be wise to be positive they know what they're getting into. I don't know if it's universal, but many DVD players (particularly DVD drives for computers) make it easy to change region settings, but only allow you to change a certain muber of times. Off the top of my head that number is 5. If you live in the US and normally watch DVD's for Region 1, it would really suck if your 5th region change was to the region your dive trip DVD was for, and your player refused to play DVD's from your local rental outlet or Best Buy for the rest of its life. SignatureSteve The above can be construed as personal opinion in the absence of a reasonable belief that it was intended as a statement of fact. If you want a reply to reach me, remove the SPAMTRAP from the address. > Adding a chip or changing the software may be a good solution, but before changing > region settings by any method that is user accessible people would be wise to be [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > trip DVD was for, and your player refused to play DVD's from your local rental outlet > or Best Buy for the rest of its life. And there are software utilities that will reset that counter with ease. SignatureDirk I'm too lazy to compose a creative sig. > > <snip> > > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > Me, now I have to go and buy a DVD player so that I can watch them myself. > ;^) So thanks for the info! I have a multi-zone DVD player sitting my garage I'd be happy to give you. > I have a multi-zone DVD player sitting my garage I'd be happy to give > you. Well, thank you so much. Very generous. I'll swing by next Sunday and pick it up. ;^) > > I have a multi-zone DVD player sitting my garage I'd be happy to give > > you. > > Well, thank you so much. Very generous. I'll swing by next Sunday and pick > it up. ;^) I could ship it to Greg, who could ship it to you :-) But I should add that it's the DVD player I had when I lived in S'pore - it's a very nice DVD player that cost me something like S$1,000, but only works on 220v, and the composite video output is PAL. It's pretty much useless to me in San Diego, but I'd be happy to see it find a good home somewhere else. > > > I have a multi-zone DVD player sitting my garage I'd be happy to give > > > you. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > > I could ship it to Greg, who could ship it to you :-) True enough. > But I should add that it's the DVD player I had when I lived in S'pore > - it's a very nice DVD player that cost me something like S$1,000, but > only works on 220v, and the composite video output is PAL. It's pretty > much useless to me in San Diego, but I'd be happy to see it find a good > home somewhere else. LOL, you should put it into file 13 and quit letting it clutter up your garage. I'm in the middle of a clean sweep here. Just yesterday, we cleaned out the whole garage. Placed everything out in the yard for sorting. Swept and washed out the garage floor. I was sorting away and suddenly a storm rolled in and the hail came down. Everything went back into the garage (onto the wet floor) while I was pelted unmercilessly. Just a little Murphy's law excitement on a Saturday afternoon. > I could ship it to Greg, who could ship it to you :-) > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > much useless to me in San Diego, but I'd be happy to see it find a good > home somewhere else. Alan, I'm thinking about setting up a 220v leg in my home to accomodate some hi-fi equipment I shipped over a few years ago. If you don't find a home and want rid of your machine, please drop me a line with details. I'm at david flies(no space) at att dot net Thanks, Dave. > > I could ship it to Greg, who could ship it to you :-) > > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Thanks, Dave. I'll contact you next week when I'm back in the US. In the meantime, please send me an e-mail at the above address (less the nonono_) as a reminder. Alan > I'll contact you next week when I'm back in the US. > > In the meantime, please send me an e-mail at the above address (less > the nonono_) as a reminder. Late as always, but done. To clarify, I was offering to buy, too btw. Incoming! Dave. > <snip> > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > problem. This has absolutely nothing to do with the "region" setting of > the disk. That makes sense. I had a prob with a dvd that was sent to me. Just assumed it was a crappy copy. Didn't know they had dual compatible dvd players either. Dave. > Just met briefly with my dive buddy from Coz. > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > Andy X-Ray shouldn't damage the tapes. Take them to a video production company & have them check to see if they are recorded in NTSC format. If not, they can convert them for a fee. >>Just met briefly with my dive buddy from Coz. >> [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > have them check to see if they are recorded in NTSC format. If not, they can > convert them for a fee. I wouldn't have thought x-ray would damage them either. Your suggestion, as others have suggested, is a good one. At least something to check on. Andy |
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