There are two types of DVD and two main TV formats, so here’s a simple guide.

DVD Regions

All our DVDs/DVD-Rs are ‘region-free’, so they will play anywhere in the world, provided they are compatible with the TV format in use.

TV Formats

There are two main TV formats; PAL and NTSC.

PAL TV is used in the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and many other Commonwealth and former Commonwealth countries.

NTSC TV is used in the USA, Canada, Japan and some other countries.

Where a video is only available on DVD we will continue to provide DVDs in both TV formats.

Where a video is now available to stream in HD we will continue to provide PAL DVDs.  We will not offer NTSC DVDs because video streaming, which doesn’t need PAL video to be converted to the NTSC format, gives such an improvement in image quality, compared with an NTSC DVD.

“I was astounded by the clarity and quality of the program. Absolutely amazing!” A US purchaser of a streaming video.

To find out more about streaming, please read the guide on this page.

DVD Types

There are two types of DVD discs; DVDs and DVD-Rs.

DVDs are ‘pressed’ from a master disc. Pressed DVDs are used to create large numbers of copies of the same programme and are used for all our programmes, when they are first released in the PAL TV format.

DVD-Rs are digitally printed from a master DVD, just like copying one CD to another. They are the standard, industry-wide, method of producing less than 500 copies of the same programme.  They are used for extra production runs of earlier PAL DVDs in our range, when the original release has sold out.

Both types of disc produce identical programmes and both are backed by our no-quibble replacement policy, in the incredibly rare event that you ever experienced a problem playing one.

What’s streaming video?

Video that you can watch over an internet connection, without having to download it.  Any device with a screen that connects to the internet can be used: smart TV, smartphone, PC, laptop, tablet, etc. and you can choose any of them at any time. Some smart TVs will require you to cast the video from a mobile or other internet connected device. More detailed information on streaming and casting can be found here

What’s Vimeo?  Vimeo is like a professional version of YouTube and has over 170 million users.

• To stream video on Vimeo, you need to register and take out a Basic membership. This is FREE and permanent.  It also gives you limited free storage should you want to upload your own videos, but any streaming videos you buy don’t count against that allowance.  You can choose whether to let Vimeo contact you about new releases.

What’s the advantage over a DVD?

• Our HD streaming videos are immediately available.
• You don’t pay postage.
• You don’t pay import duty or local sales tax [like VAT]. Where applicable, those charges are deducted from what Avion Video receives, not added to the price you pay.
• You will see the purchase price displayed in your local currency. [Major currencies only.]

• Customers in the US/Canada/Japan or any other country with the NTSC TV system can stream videos in the European PAL TV standard. Not having to convert from one TV standard to another brings such an improvement in image quality, that we will not release streaming video programmes on NTSC DVDs as well, but only on PAL DVDs.

What if I still want to buy DVDs?

• All our current range of videos that are not available to stream, will continue to be available on both PAL and NTSC DVDs.
• All our streaming videos will also be available on DVDs, but only in the UK/European PAL TV format. PAL DVDs will not play on NTSC DVD players.

Why can’t I download video?  Streaming is available instantly and on any suitable device.  You don’t have to download software to make it work and it doesn’t take up storage space.  There is no restriction on the number of times you can stream a video or where you stream it.

Why does a streaming video cost the same as a DVD?  The main cost of a video programme is the time and expertise involved in the production process.  That’s the same whether the output is on DVD or HD streaming.

For how long can I stream a video I’ve bought?  Permanently.  You will be transferred to Vimeo to complete your purchase and Vimeo will continue to allow you to stream videos you have bought, even if Avion Video was no longer in business.

Why do I pay Vimeo for HD streaming and not Avion Video?  Because it is Vimeo that is providing the streaming service.

What if I want to buy a streaming video and give it to someone else?  You cannot transfer a purchase from one person to another and gift certificates are not currently available, so the easiest option is to buy a DVD, if you want a gift for someone else.