I have been misled by tape ratings before, for example, I dealt with one person and thought I was getting a good quality tape and I got a tape with tracking lines every 5 minutes and shoddy picture and color. In an attempt not to be vague, I will try and explain these ratings with as many examples as possible.

Master- Bought from store. This is what the federation distributes for stores to sell retail. Best quality you can get possible.

EX- Usually 1st generation, some 2nd generations. This has great sound and great picture. Normally, when something is EX, it is taped straight from a master and has the second best picture possible.

VG- This could be from a 2nd generation and maybe down to a fourth generation tape. This has a good picture and good sound. Little to no tracking problems. These are copies of copies of copies that may be low in color and sound. The picture is possibly fuzzy, and the third best quality possible.

G- This is usually a 4th generation and below. These tapes have tracking problems, but can be watchable. These are not recammended unless you really want the tape. The picture will definetly be fuzzy, but if the tape is rare, may be worth the trade.

B- These are unwatchable and nobody should ever trade for it. I normally won't post a tape with a rating of B.

When a video quality rating says, for example, G/VG, this means that there may be tracking problems or the sound may be really low, but it is still very watchable. VG/EX is a tape that isn't quite GREAT quality, but is better than good, and so on.