Several years ago, when technology to copy CDs and DVDs was relatively new and expensive, Audio/Video Duplication Services set up a pricing system for its products that was relatively competitive for the time.

Soon, however, advancements in duplication equipment quickly made Audio/Video Duplication Services’ prices very high in comparison to other businesses that provide the same service.

The prices were often too expensive for students to use the services.

“With the new pricing, when we tell someone how much it will cost, they’re almost always like, ‘Yeah, let’s do it.’ Before, we lost half [of business], maybe more,” said Brian Carter, Media Services’ supervisor of duplication since May 2003.

Before the change in pricing, Audio/Video Duplication Services had been a largely unused on-campus resource for years.

Finally, Carter talked to the director of Media Services and they decided something needed to be done.

This plan has included a dramatic re-vamping of the pricing scheme (see chart), as well as gradual upgrading of the available services.

“We want to generate a trust from the campus, from the individual students and departments,” Carter said.

“We do a lot of transfers,” Carter said. “We can pretty much go from any one standard format to any other. We very competitively transfer VHS to DVD and audio cassette to CD. Anything you need, really.”

Aside from digital transfers, Audio/Video Duplication Services provides a number of other services to the campus.

“A major part of our work is preparing campus events for archiving and distribution. We also prepare media for many classes on campus. … We also supply the students and several departments with a myriad of audio and visual media.”

Carter said the purpose of Audio/Video Duplication was “to support the academic mission of the school. This includes helping other departments such as administration, public relations, activities and the bookstore, enhance the educational and social experience of the students, faculty and other patrons of the campus.”

The new pricing system makes Audio/Video Duplication Services’ prices comparable to other media suppliers.

“When you buy a CD or DVD from us, we can get it to you cheaper or as cheap as other sources,” Carter said.

“One advantage,” Johnson said, “is that when you buy from [other retailers], you have to buy in bulk. Here you only have to buy as many as you need.”

A discount is offered through the Audio/Video Duplication Services after a quantity of five.

“Within a few months, we plan to restructure A/V Duplication Services so that we’ll be able to do more in less time,” Johnson said.

Audio/Video Duplication Services offers Taiyo Yuden products, some of the highest quality products available. They also offer average-quality products at a lower price.