Deluxe Digital Studios

Former names

• Bell & Howell Video Systems (1978-1979)
• Bell & Howell Video Services (1979)
• Bell & Howell/Paramount Pictures Video Services (1979-1982)
• Bell & Howell/Columbia Pictures/Paramount Video Services (1982-1988)
• Rank Video Services America (1988-1998)
• Deluxe Video Services (1998-2000)
• Deluxe Global Media Services (2000-2006)

Current names

• Deluxe Media Entertainment (2006-present)

List of Customers

• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (1990-2000)
• A&M Video (tapes distributed by RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video)
• Academy Home Entertainment (1985)
• Alaska Video Postcards, Inc. (1995)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (1987-1990, 1998-1999)
  • Signal Research/ABC Video Productions (1980, 1988-1991)
  • Walt Disney Home Video (1987)
  • Touchstone Home Video (1988-1990, 1998-1999)
• Capcom U.S.A., Inc.
• Central Park Media
• Concord Video (198?-199?)
• DK Vision
• Embassy Home Entertainment (some copies of Victory at Sea)
• Feature Films for Families
• Fotomat Video
• Geneon Entertainment (2000-2007)
• Golden Books Family Entertainment/ClassicMedia (1985-2005)
• Lionsgate Home Entertainment
  • Prism Entertainment (1984-1991) (including tapes distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment)
  • Artisan Entertainment (1988-2000)
    • Hallmark Home Entertainment
    • Vista Home Video
  • Vidmark Entertainment (1988-1991)
• Media Home Entertainment (some 1984 tapes)
• MGM/UA Home Video (1982) (original release of Victor/Victoria)
• New Yorker Video
• Paramount Home Entertainment (1979-2005)
  • Republic Pictures Home Video (1988-1992)
  • Simon & Schuster Video
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (1982-2005)
  • Sony Music Entertainment (1999-2005)
    • Sony Wonder (1999-2005)
      • Random House Home Video (1986-2005)
    • Columbia House Video (1992-2005)
• Sterling Entertainment Group (2003-2004)
• Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (1980-1983, 1986-present)
• VCI Home Video (some 1981 tapes)
• VideoVisa S.A. (1985-1995)
• Warner Home Video (some copies of Batman)
  • Allied Artists Video
  • Thorn EMI/HBO Video (1981-1986)
• Zenith Electronics (1984-1992)

How to Tell

• Pre-August 1985 prints would have an orange or green sticker on the supply reel.
  • Pre-September 1981 prints would have either "Q.C. WHS" or "Q.C. WHSE" on the sticker.
  • Tapes duplicated in Mexicali from 1985 to 1987 would instead use a simpler white sticker, either on the supply reel or under the label in the center.
  • The stickers would always have numbers on them.
• From mid-February 1986 to sometime in 1996, there was a convex sticker under the front label with a bar code, a set of 8 numbers, a six-digit code starting with M, and the tape nominal length (e.g. T-120). Such tapes have the white screen test pattern, usually for half a minute, followed by a black screen for 20 seconds before the tape ended. Since late 1986, the moaning sound played in the last few seconds.
• Around the beginning of August 1985, an early form of the rectangular sticker was introduced. It consisted of a medium-sized bar code and a set of 11 numbers.
  • The sticker evolved over the years. Its first major change came in late 1988: a bigger barcode with an 18-digit code. Colored sides were introduced in July 1989; red was the first. Cyan came next, in early October 1991. Then came magenta in mid-April 1992, green in mid-May 1992, and yellow in mid-June 1992. Blue was the last to show up, sometime in 1996.
  • The next step in evolution, in mid-August 1991, used the same size bar code, but four sequences of numbers: a six-digit code, a single digit, another six-digit code, and a five-digit code. Only tapes before late August 1995 used the white screen test pattern.
  • On some tapes from the 1980s to mid 1990s, there's a barcode without any numbers with a sticker on top of the barcode. VHS tapes with this barcode mainly have the moaning sound only at the end. Some tapes with this barcode have the white screen test pattern and full-screen static before it, such as EP/SLP mode tapes with this barcode.
  • The next incarnation was in late June 1993, and a smaller bar code was used, with the following number sequence: a six-digit code, a single digit, a three-digit code, two four-digit codes, and a two-digit code. Not a single tape that utilized this sticker includes the white screen test pattern mentioned above or the moaning sound.
  • The last incarnation of the sticker started in late July 1995, with a slightly smaller bar code and a more random sequence of numbers. Usually, only EP/SLP mode tapes and some carryovers from pre-1995 printings use the white screen test pattern mentioned above if you see this sticker. On EP/SLP mode tapes from before mid-1997, a different version of the sticker was used and the moaning sound was heard at the end after the full-screen static, and before the tape reaches the very end.
• Sometimes the moaning sound only lasts 3-5 seconds and/or has a slightly different pitch.
• On some tapes from the late 80s to 90s, there are some dark red, green or white printings on the bottom middle side of the tape. Tapes that have these printings have the above mentioned white screen test pattern at the end.

Example 1:

X0102 T-100 P-2 25048

REPOSSESED SCR.

Example 2:

44041 T-100 P-2 13112

ROCK N ROLL HIGH

• • Tapes duplicated in Mexicali would use a different set of white printings.

Example:

T-087 118G601 296 0776

V-4770 TOY STORY

• • On tapes printed in Newbury Park, different white printings appear on the bottom middle side of the tape. These do not have the above mentioned white screen test pattern at the end.

Example:

KING BEE ADV CHARLE CHAN 3 01103

9/15/88 P1D#0766 WO6043 T85 RVSA

• Most 1986-1992 tapes duplicated at Rank have an ink assembly date on the bottom left side. Depending on the facility the tape was assembled in, the color of the printing may vary.
• Some 1986-1995 tapes have the white screen test pattern with the 1000 hz tone at the end; this is usually only the case with tapes that have printings on the bottom side, whether it's an assembly date or not.
• Some 1996-2001 tapes also have the white screen test pattern mentioned above, but in this case, it's usually only on EP/SLP mode tapes and (sometimes) carryovers from pre-1995 pressings.
• Most 1981-2006 tapes have a year-week code.
  • The first number is the last number of the year the tape was printed. The last two numbers indicate the week (usually 01 through 52).
    • E.G. if the code reads "PAR228", "PAR 228", "RVS 228" or "DLX 228", then depending on the age of the tape, it could mean the tape was printed on the 28th week of 1982, 1992 or 2002. Sometimes in 1989, the code is printed backwards, in which the week is the first two numbers and the year is the third and last number. If the code reads "WHV 439", it could mean the 43rd week of 1989.
  • Pre-1985 prints have the code engraved on the back of the tape.
    • Pre-1983 prints have the company abbreviation letters engraved next to the code in blue.
    • 1983-1985 prints have the company abbreviation letters engraved on the top of the code.
  • Post-1985 prints have the code engraved on the tape guard.
  • Several 2003-2005 tapes, particularly those distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment, have the code engraved on the right side of the tape.
  • On post-1989 tapes, if the company abbreviation letters from the year-week code on the tape did not indicate the distributor, they would always be RVS (1989-1998) or DLX (1998-2006).
    • Some factory sealed copies of early-to-mid-1990s and 1998-2005 tapes have a blue or white Deluxe Laboratories "Film Reel" watermark logo on the plastic wrap, in place of the distributor watermark logo. The logo is usually on the back of the packaging.
• Tapes duplicated in Mexicali from 1987-1995 would have a visible blend sticker plastered over the back of the packaging that says "Made in Mexico." After 1995, the notation would be printed underneath the label on some sticker-label tapes.
• Tapes duplicated from 1982 to early 1986 would have a code on the left of the vertical blanking interval that begins with "B+H." From mid-1986 to very early 1987, this was moved to the right of the VBI.
• Tapes duplicated in 1987 or later would have a code on the right of the vertical blanking interval that begins with either "BHCP" (1987-early 1996), "RVSA" (late 1995-1998) or "DELUXE" (post-1998). Central Video, a spinoff of RVSA, also used the "BHCP" code until 1999.
• EP/SLP mode tapes duplicated at Deluxe (formerly Rank) from mid-1997 to 2001 (as well as SP mode tapes from the time with the white screen test pattern) have a code on the vertical-blanking interval during the first few seconds of the black screen at the beginning, consisting of either two sets of five numbers, a set of three numbers and another with five numbers, a set of four numbers and another with five numbers, or a set of six numbers and another with five numbers. After those few seconds, the vertical blanking interval would change to either "RVSA" or "DELUXE" (see above). These tapes had the white screen test pattern only at the end.
• It is not yet known for certain how to differentiate tapes duplicated at Northbrook, Garden Grove, El Segundo, and North Little Rock.

Fun Facts

• Paramount Pictures acquired the first 30% of Bell & Howell's duplication arm in 1979.
• Bell & Howell sold the other 30% of its duplication arm to Columbia Pictures in 1982. Shortly after, the arm was merged with Columbia Pictures' duplication arm, forming Bell & Howell/Columbia Pictures/Paramount Video Services.
• All three companies mentioned above sold the arm's El Segundo operations to Andrew McIntyre Enterprises (which was eventually merged with All Post) and their shares in the arm itself to Rank Organization in March 1988. Shortly after, the arm was renamed from Bell & Howell/Columbia Pictures/Paramount Video Services to Rank Video Services America.
• In 1990, Rank Organization bought out Deluxe Laboratories from 20th Century Fox Film Corporation.

Known abbreviation letter codes

• CHC - tapes sold through Columbia House Video
• CTV - post-1992 tapes released under the Columbia TriStar Home Video label and its subsidiaries
• DLX - tapes duplicated following the name change from Rank Video Services America to Deluxe Video Services
• MCA - pre-1997 tapes released under the MCA/Universal Home Video (formerly MCA Home Video) label
• PAR - tapes released by Paramount Home Entertainment (formerly Paramount Home Video)
• RCA - 1988-1992 tapes released under the RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video label and its subsidiaries
• RCP - pre-1988 tapes released under the RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video label and its subsidiaries
• RVS - tapes released by 20th Century-Fox Home Entertainment, Central Park Media (only on Software Sculptors titles), and Artisan Entertainment, and their respective subsidiaries
• TEV - tapes released under the Thorn EMI/HBO Video (formerly Thorn EMI Video) label
• UHV - tapes released under the Universal Studios Home Video label
• VV - tapes released by VideoVisa
• WHV - select tapes released by Warner Home Video, most notably Batman

Gallery

Bell & Howell

• 

  The version of the pre-August 1985 sticker with "Q.C. WHS." Note that there is a bit of writing on this particular scan.

• 

  Another example of the pre-August 1985 sticker sans the letters.

• 

  Same example as picture #2.

• 

  Same example as pictures #2 and #3.

• 

  An example of the simpler white sticker found on tapes printed from 1985 to early 1986.

• 

  A year-week code etched on the back of a tape. The engraving on the tape shown in the above picture reads "PAR140," which means it was printed on the 40th week of 1981. Around this time, this was only found on tapes released by Paramount Home Video and MCA Videocassette Inc.

• 

  An example of what the vertical-blanking interval used on tapes from 1982 to early 1986 looks like.

• 

  An example of what the vertical-blanking interval on 1986 tapes looks like.

• 

  Same example as picture #8, but without the -.

• 

  An example of what the code on the vertical-blanking interval used on SP mode tapes from 1987 to early 1996 looks like. The vertical-blanking interval on some copies of City of Angels, Wrongfully Accused, The Avengers, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and Game Day (all released in 1998 and 1999) also looked like this.

• 

  Same example as picture #10, this time ending with 44.

Rank Video Services America

• 

  Logo

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

  An example of what the barcode, introduced in late June 1993, looks like. The earliest known use of this barcode was in the 26th week of 1993.

• 

  An example of what the barcode, used on most EP/SLP mode (and some SP mode) tapes from 1993 to 1995, looks like with green sides.

• 
• 

  An example of what the barcode, used on most EP/SLP mode (and some SP mode) tapes from 1993 to 1995, looks like with cyan sides.

• 

  An example of what the barcode, used on most EP/SLP mode (and some SP mode) tapes from 1993 to 1995, looks like with magenta sides.

• 

  An example of what the barcode, used on EP/SLP mode tapes from 1996 to mid-1997, looks like. The earliest known use of this barcode was in the 5th week of 1996, while the latest known use was in the 16th week of 1997.

• 

  Same example as picture #10, except it's shifted up a bit.

• 

  An example of what the barcode, used on EP/SLP mode tapes from 1996 to mid-1997, looks like with blue sides.

• 

  An example of what the barcode, used on EP/SLP mode tapes from 1996 to mid-1997, looks like with yellow sides.

• 

  Starting in mid-1997, EP/SLP mode tapes started to use the 1995 SP mode barcode, with the earliest known use being in the 20th week of 1997. This is an example of what it looks like with green sides.

• 

  Another example, this time with blue sides.

• 

  An example of what the vertical-blanking interval used on SP mode tapes from 1996 to 1998 (and EP/SLP mode tapes from 1996 to mid-1997) looks like with Macrovision encoding intact.

• 

  An example of what the numeric code on the vertical-blanking interval used on EP/SLP mode tapes from mid-1997 to 2001 looks like with a set of three numbers and another with five numbers.

• 

  An example of what the numeric code on the vertical-blanking interval used on EP/SLP mode tapes from mid-1997 to 2001 looks like with a set of four numbers and another with five numbers.

• 

  An example of what the numeric code on the vertical-blanking interval used on EP/SLP mode tapes from mid-1997 to 2001 looks like with a set of six numbers and another with five numbers.

• 

  An example of what the numeric code on the vertical-blanking interval used on EP/SLP mode tapes from mid-1997 to 2001 looks like with two sets of five numbers.

Deluxe Video Services

• 

  An example of what the vertical-blanking interval used on SP mode tapes from 1998 to 2005 looks like.

• 

  An example of what the vertical-blanking interval used on SP mode tapes tapes from 1998 to 2005 looks like with Macrovision encoding intact.

Locations

• Elk Grove Village, Illinois (1981-1982) (acquired from Columbia and ultimately consolidated into B&H's Northbrook operations)
• Garden Grove, California (1987-1995) (spun off as Central Video)
• Los Angeles, California (1988) (acquired from Republic and ultimately consolidated into Rank's Garden Grove operations)
• Mexicali, Baja California (1981-1995) (co-owned with Videovisa S.A., spun off as Central Video)
• Newbury Park, California (1988-1989) (acquired from IVE and ultimately consolidated into Rank's Garden Grove operations)
• North Little Rock, Arkansas (1995-2009) (ultimately sold to Caterpillar, currently used for motor grader assembly)
• Northbrook, Illinois (1978-present)
• El Segundo, California (19??-1988) (ultimately sold to Andrew McIntyre Enterprises)

See also

• Memorex outside of B&H