AstralTech: Difference between revisions

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==How to Tell==
==How to Tell==
* Tapes duplicated by AstralTech (formerly Pathé Video) prior to 1995 have a coloured sticker, usually white, on the tape guard. These stickers always have SKU numbers on them. Sometimes they would have a red ink side label number and/or a handwritten title label number.
* Tapes duplicated here prior to 1995 have a coloured sticker, usually white, on the tape guard. These stickers always have SKU numbers on them. Sometimes they would have a red ink side label number and/or a handwritten title label number.
** Tapes duplicated in the early 80's also have the distributor's name on the sticker.
** Tapes duplicated in the early 80's also have the distributor's name on the sticker.
* Most tapes duplicated by Pathé Video may have an abbreviation engraved on the left/right side or back of the tape.
* Most tapes duplicated here may have an abbreviation engraved on the left/right side or back of the tape.
** For some distributors, there may also be a month-year code engraved next to it (e.g. RCP 5 4 = May 1984).
** For some distributors, there may also be a month-year code engraved next to it (e.g. RCP 5 4 = May 1984).
* In the fall of 1994, AstralTech printed out print dates on their tapes that were similar to the ones on those duplicated by Technicolor.
* In the fall of 1994, this company printed out print dates on their tapes that were similar to the ones on those duplicated by [[Vantiva Supply Chain Solutions|Technicolor]].
* Beginning in 1995, tapes duplicated by AstralTech have ink information on the bottom middle side akin to the information on those duplicated by Technicolor, except the information reads the name of the release and cartridge number.
* Beginning in 1995, tapes duplicated here have ink information on the bottom middle side akin to the information on those duplicated by [[Vantiva Supply Chain Solutions|Technicolor]], except the information reads the name of the release and cartridge number.
** E.G. if the cartridge number reads "13/40", that means the tape is cartridge number 13 out of the 40 cartridges, although in some ways, this does not reliably guarantee that only 40 copies of the VHS release were produced by this arm. Or, if it reads "089/510", that means the tape is cartridge number 89 out of 510 cartridges.
** E.G. if the cartridge number reads "13/40", that means the tape is cartridge number 13 out of the 40 cartridges, although in some ways, this does not reliably guarantee that only 40 copies of the VHS release were produced by this arm. Or, if it reads "089/510", that means the tape is cartridge number 89 out of 510 cartridges.
* Tapes duplicated by Pathé may have a code on the vertical-blanking interval that begins with "PATH".
* Tapes duplicated here may have a code on the vertical-blanking interval that begins with "PATH".
* Most tapes were duplicated on cassettes manufactured by Fujifilm.
* Most tapes from this company were duplicated on cassettes manufactured by Fujifilm.


==Known abbreviation letter codes==
==Known abbreviation letter codes==
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==Fun Facts==
==Fun Facts==
* Astral Media sold its video duplication and distribution arm to Technicolor Video Services in 2000; however, the sale did not include the Astral Home Entertainment video wholesaling and marketing division.
* Astral Media sold its video duplication and distribution arm to [[Vantiva Supply Chain Solutions|Technicolor Video Services]] in 2000; however, the sale did not include the Astral Home Entertainment video wholesaling and marketing division.


== Gallery ==
== Gallery ==
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<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Sticker on Tape Guard (Pathé) (3 Different Copies of Sleeping Beauty, 1986 Disney).jpg|Prior to 1995, AstralTech used stickers on the top of the tape guard, with SKU numbers and a red ink side label number on them.
File:Sticker on Tape Guard (Pathé) (3 Different Copies of Sleeping Beauty, 1986 Disney).jpg|Prior to 1995, AstralTech used stickers on the top of the tape guard, with SKU numbers and a red ink side label number on them.
File:Sticker on Tape Guard (Pathé) (The Exorcist, 1981 Warner).jpg|In the early 1980s, Pathé Video used the distributor's name on the sticker.
File:Sticker on Tape Guard (Pathé) (The Exorcist, 1981 Warner).jpg|In the early 1980s, this company used the distributor's name on the sticker.
File:Sticker on Tape Guard (Pathé) (Charlotte's Web, 1980's Astral).jpg|If the name did not indicate the distributor, it would always be PATHE.
File:Sticker on Tape Guard (Pathé) (Charlotte's Web, 1980's Astral).jpg|If the name did not indicate the distributor, it would always be PATHE.
File:PATH Interval (Pathé) (Dumbo, 1986 Disney).jpg|An example of what the code on the vertical-blanking interval used on tapes duplicated by Pathé looks like.
File:PATH Interval (Pathé) (Dumbo, 1986 Disney).jpg|An example of what the code on the vertical-blanking interval used on tapes duplicated here looks like.
</gallery>
</gallery>


Revision as of 03:28, 14 June 2024

Former names

  • AstralTech-Americas Inc. (U.S. facility)
  • Pathé Video (1980-1990)

List of Customers

  • Astral Home Entertainment [Canadian]
  • Bellevue Home Entertainment [Canadian]
  • CIC Canada (unrelated to CIC Video)
  • Buena Vista Home Entertainment [Canadian] (1986-2000)
    • Hollywood Pictures Home Video [Canadian]
    • Touchstone Home Video [Canadian]
    • Walt Disney Home Video [Canadian]
  • CBS/Fox Video [Canadian] (1983-1986)
    • Key Video [Canadian] (1984-1986)
  • MCA Home Video Canada (some 1980s tapes)
  • Media Home Entertainment [Canadian] (1984-1993)
    • Hi-Tops Video [Canadian] (1986-1993)
  • New World Video [Canadian] (1984-1989)
  • RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video/Columbia Tristar Home Video [Canadian] (1983-1995)
    • Magic Window [Canadian]
    • MusicVision [Canadian]
  • SC/Creswin [Canadian]
  • Screencraft Video [Canadian]
  • Sovicom [Canadian]
  • Warner Home Video [Canadian] (1980-1994)

How to Tell

  • Tapes duplicated here prior to 1995 have a coloured sticker, usually white, on the tape guard. These stickers always have SKU numbers on them. Sometimes they would have a red ink side label number and/or a handwritten title label number.
    • Tapes duplicated in the early 80's also have the distributor's name on the sticker.
  • Most tapes duplicated here may have an abbreviation engraved on the left/right side or back of the tape.
    • For some distributors, there may also be a month-year code engraved next to it (e.g. RCP 5 4 = May 1984).
  • In the fall of 1994, this company printed out print dates on their tapes that were similar to the ones on those duplicated by Technicolor.
  • Beginning in 1995, tapes duplicated here have ink information on the bottom middle side akin to the information on those duplicated by Technicolor, except the information reads the name of the release and cartridge number.
    • E.G. if the cartridge number reads "13/40", that means the tape is cartridge number 13 out of the 40 cartridges, although in some ways, this does not reliably guarantee that only 40 copies of the VHS release were produced by this arm. Or, if it reads "089/510", that means the tape is cartridge number 89 out of 510 cartridges.
  • Tapes duplicated here may have a code on the vertical-blanking interval that begins with "PATH".
  • Most tapes from this company were duplicated on cassettes manufactured by Fujifilm.

Known abbreviation letter codes

  • AV - Astral Video, Forum Home Video, Media Home Entertainment, Trans World Entertainment (198?-1990)
  • ASTRAL - Astral Video (1990-????)
  • BVHV - Buena Vista Home Video (1990-1998)
  • BVHE - Buena Vista Home Entertainment (1998-2006)
  • CIC - CIC Canada (????-????)
  • DIS - Buena Vista Home Video (1986-1990)
  • MAG3 - CBS/Fox Video (1983-1986)
  • MCA - MCA Home Video Canada (198?-198?)
  • NWV1 - New World Video (1984-1989)
  • RCP - RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (1983-1990)
  • COL - same as RCP (1990-1992)
  • CTHV - Columbia TriStar Home Video (1992-1995)
  • SC - Screencraft Video
  • TCI - Alliance Atlantis (2000-2006), Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2000-2006)

Fun Facts

  • Astral Media sold its video duplication and distribution arm to Technicolor Video Services in 2000; however, the sale did not include the Astral Home Entertainment video wholesaling and marketing division.

Gallery

Pathé Video

  • Prior to 1995, AstralTech used stickers on the top of the tape guard, with SKU numbers and a red ink side label number on them.

    Prior to 1995, AstralTech used stickers on the top of the tape guard, with SKU numbers and a red ink side label number on them.

  • In the early 1980s, this company used the distributor's name on the sticker.

    In the early 1980s, this company used the distributor's name on the sticker.

  • If the name did not indicate the distributor, it would always be PATHE.

    If the name did not indicate the distributor, it would always be PATHE.

  • An example of what the code on the vertical-blanking interval used on tapes duplicated here looks like.

    An example of what the code on the vertical-blanking interval used on tapes duplicated here looks like.

AstralTech

  • In the fall of 1994, AstralTech used the ink print date method slightly similar to the Technicolor-esque kind.

    In the fall of 1994, AstralTech used the ink print date method slightly similar to the Technicolor-esque kind.

  • From 1995 to 1996, AstralTech used an ink printing slightly different from the Technicolor-esque kind. One exception was that the printing included a cartridge number as opposed to a print date.

    From 1995 to 1996, AstralTech used an ink printing slightly different from the Technicolor-esque kind. One exception was that the printing included a cartridge number as opposed to a print date.

Technicolor Canada

  • Following Technicolor's acquisition of AstralTech in 2000, this is what the ink printing looked like from that point on.

    Following Technicolor's acquisition of AstralTech in 2000, this is what the ink printing looked like from that point on.

Locations

  • Boca Raton, Florida
  • Montreal, Quebec (1994-2000)
  • Toronto, Ontario (1980-1994) (moved to Montreal)
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