Frequently Asked Questions

What Products Are Available From SBS?

SBS Content Sales & Distribution creates and licenses more than 150 new products every year, most of which fall under the brands of SBS DVD, SBS Books or SBS Music - including DVDs, books, audio books, music CDs, music DVDs and magazines. The range of quality products reflects the diversity of SBS programming and features a wealth of Australian and international talent.

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How Are SBS Products Distributed?

SBS Content Sales & Distribution has appointed two of Australia's largest retail chains, Dymocks Bookstores and JB Hi-Fi, as preferred retail partners. These retail partners give products released by SBS Content Sales & Distribution guaranteed access to over 170 retail outlets Australia-wide. SBS also has an Online shop known as The SBS Shop and a phone order business, both of which are serviced by Dymocks.

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What Does SBS Do With Profits From The Sale Of SBS Products?

All profits made from the sale of SBS products are returned to SBS to assist in the production of quality programs.

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What Are The SBS Shop Online And The SBS Phone Order Service?

The SBS Shop (www.sbs.com.au/shop) provides a virtual window into the wonderful variety of products related to programming featured on SBS Television and SBS Radio. The SBS Shop is serviced by Dymocks Online. The full catalogue listed on The SBS Shop may not be available at all Dymocks stores but all of our DVDs, CDs, Books and other merchandise can be purchased online or via phone order: 1300 305 999.

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How Do I Order Products Via The SBS Shop?

When you find an item on The SBS Shop that you'd like to purchase, please click on the product page for that item and then the "BUY" or "BUY IT NOW" buttons. This will take you through to the Dymocks Online site. The item will be added to your Dymocks shopping basket. Please see below for information about adding more items to your basket, deleting items from your basket, and changing the quantities of items in your basket.



When you're ready to make your purchase, please click the 'Check Out' button from your basket, and you will be led through the checkout process. You'll be asked to enter this information:

  • Your Details

  • Delivery Details (you can have your order sent to someone other than yourself)

  • Delivery Method (you can enter special instructions for the delivery if you need to)

  • Gift Wrapping (you can choose from various gift-wrap options and enter a gift-card message)

  • Payment Method (Credit Card, Money Order, Cheque, Gift Vouchers & Gift Cards)



When you've entered this information, your order details will be displayed and you will be asked to confirm those details before your order is submitted to Dymocks Online. You can change any details at this point. You'll be asked to enter an order password (you choose the password which can contain a maximum of ten characters). This password can be used later on the Dymocks Online website to check the status of your order.



When you're ready to place your order, simply click 'Complete Purchase' and you will be presented with a page displaying your order number. You'll also receive an email with all your order details listed and a link that will let you track your order's progress. It's vital that you provide Dymocks with a valid email address.

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What are DVD Regions?

DVDs are produced to be played in particular regions around the world. DVDs sold through SBS are for either Region 4 or All-Regions. Some DVD players can play DVDs from other Regions. Please check your DVD player before purchasing a DVD through SBS.



For your reference, areas, countries and regions are listed below:

  • All-Region /(Region 0)   (Worldwide)

  • Region 1                           (USA/Canada/ US Territories)

  • Region 2                           (Europe/Japan/South Africa/Middle East)

  • Region 3                           (Southeast Asia/ East Asia)

  • Region 4                           (Australia/New Zealand/Pacific/Central America/South America/Mexico/The Caribbean)

  • Region 5                           (Africa/Eastern Europe/Asia/India/North Korea/Mongolia)

  • Region 6                           (China)

  • Region 7                           (Reserved)

  • Region 8                           (International venues - planes, ships etc)

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What are Blu-ray Regions?

Blu-ray discs are produced to be played in particular regions around the world. Often they will work on a range of players but some discs are only accessible to players from the assigned region. Please check your Blu-ray player before purchasing a Blu-ray disc through SBS.



For your reference, areas, countries and regions are listed below:

  • Region A    East Asia (except Mainland China and Mongolia), Southeast Asia, North America, South America and                      dependencies.

  • Region B    Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, Africa, Southwest Asia, Europe (except Russia and Kazakhstan),                      and their dependencies.

  • Region C    Central Asia, East Asia (Mainland China and Mongolia only), South Asia, central Eurasia and their                      dependencies.

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What is an Aspect Ratio?

Aspect Ratios affect how a video product can be viewed. The settings on your own screen may also affect what you see.



SBS products are sold in the following Aspect Ratios. As a general guide:

  • 16:9 is similar to a film image and will fill a widescreen television screen.

  • 16:9 Widescreen provides a wider and more detailed image. Even on a widescreen television you may see black bars above and below the image.

  • 4:3 is the same ratio as a traditional television image. It will appear in the centre of a widescreen television screen, with black bars on the sides.

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What is the DVD Format?

The three main video formats used around the world are PAL (Phase Alternating Line), NTSC (National Television System Committee) and Secam (Sequential Couleur Avec Memoire or Sequential Colour with Memory).



SBS products are sold in PAL (the Australian standard) and occasionally in NTSC. Many players in Australia can play both the PAL and NTSC formats, but please check your player before purchasing an NTSC product.

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What is the difference between Audio technologies?

Audio technologies affect how you hear the sound of a video product. Your speaker setup as well as the settings on your player and screen may also affect what you hear.



SBS products are sold in the following audio formats. As a general guide:

  • Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo is a two channel (Left and Right) audio technology.

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 provides multi-channel audio detail, similar to a cinema. Those with multiple speaker setups can get "surround sound".

  • DTS is an audio technology with various levels of capability.

  • DTS 5.1 provides multi-channel audio detail, similar to a cinema. Those with multiple speaker setups can get "surround sound".

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What Are The Shipping Rates And Charges?

For all shipping-related information please visit the information page serviced by Dymocks Online: http://www.dymocks.com.au/Misc/ShippingRates.aspx.

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What Is The Usual Delivery Time?

On each product page on the Dymocks Online site, each product has a "Usually Ships In" estimate. There are three types of estimate: "Usually Ships in 24 Hours", "Usually Ships in 1-3 Days" and "Usually Ships in 1-6 Weeks". These are time frames for when you can expect your items to ship from Dymocks' warehouse facility. All estimates are based on business days and it is assumed that shipping and delivery don't occur on holidays and weekends.

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How Do I Go About Processing An Online Payment?

You can pay for products purchased via The SBS Shop and Dymocks Online by credit card, money order, cheque or by using a Dymocks gift voucher. More information on each of these methods can be found below. Please note, all financial transactions are serviced by Dymocks.



Credit Cards

Dymocks accepts payment with the following credit cards:

  • MasterCard

  • Visa

  • American Express

  • Diners Club

  • JCB

During the checkout process simply choose to pay with a credit card, at which point you will be requested to enter your card details.



Money Orders

Dymocks accepts payment by money order. During the checkout process simply choose to pay with a money order. After you place your order, Dymocks will email you the address to which you should post your money order and advise the correct order value.



Cheque

Dymocks also accepts payment by cheque. During the checkout process simply choose to pay with a cheque. International customers wishing to pay by cheque must draw a bank draft payable in Australian dollars. The bank draft must be drawn on a bank that has a reciprocal agreement with an Australian bank. After you place your order, Dymocks will email you the address to which you should post your cheque and advise the correct order value.



Gift Vouchers & Gift Cards

Dymocks Online accepts Dymocks Gift Vouchers as payment for SBS and Dymocks Online orders. During the checkout process simply choose to pay with a gift voucher. After you place your order, Dymocks will email you the address to which you should post your gift voucher.

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Who Can I Contact For More Information?

For more information about SBS content or the availability of SBS products, please contact SBS Public Relations: (02) 9430 2828.



For more information about purchasing or ordering products via The SBS Shop, as serviced by Dymocks Online, please visit: http://www.dymocks.com.au/Help/Help.aspx?Section=FAQ



Additional questions can be addressed to the Dymocks Online team: service@dymocks.com.au or (02) 9230 9067.

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