This is just to add to Donna and Huw's comments on playing British tapes in the U.S.: If you DO have the wrong tapes and they're on the PAL system, it's worth knowing that most universities with a serious audio-visual department have one of those more expensive machines that Huw mentioned, that can play either PAL or VHS-type tapes. Also, in case you or anyone else is interested, I saw an ad in Y Drych newpaper a while back for a company that offers video conversions "at very competitive rates". Here's the dope: VSC - LTD. 2443 Fair Oaks Blvd. Suite 89 Sacramento, CA 95825 Tel. (916) 454-1763 (Not that I'm suggesting you rush out and pay for a conversion; Donna may be right that the problem is the fault of the company that sent you the tapes...) Marta Weingartner weingart@ucs.indiana.edu