Can UK VHS players send composite video to US TVs?

[tdhg566]

I have a friend who is moving here from the UK. He knows he has to buy another TV, BUT, can the composite video from his UK VHS machine drive a US TV? We understand that the tuner won't work, but not clear whether there is some part of the composite video signal that is incompatible with a US TV. Guess same question applies to S-video. I've read some threads that suggest a cable conversion might be needed?

The plan currently is for him to bring his VHS and DVD players, and his UK VHS and region 2 DVDs, and to also purchase US counterparts, but to funnel the outputs from all to a US a/v receiver and US TV.

Other suggestions?

[lordsmurf]

Don't think so.

The output is different. If I put a PAL tape into my Samsung Worldwide and attempt to output PAL signal to a NTSC tv set, it'll just flip a choppy black/white signal. Sort of like 'vhold' being really off, if anybody here is old enough to remember those on tv sets.

[Craig Tucker]

The UK equipment will output a PAL signal, from what I understand very few TV sets in the US can display a PAL signal correctly.

[Fusmali]

His best bet is to buy a new TV and a PAL VCR that plays NTSC tapes. The VCR will convert the signal from NTSC to PAL60 (a PAL signal that plays at NTSC frame rates) which will play on most decent modern PAL TVs. Alternatively he could get a TV card that is NTSC compatible and relay his VCR composite to the TV card. The TV card option is the cheapest if your friend has a PC.

[Craig Tucker]

If it is not too old then the VCR he has will probrably be capable of playing NTSC tapes anyway.

[Dennis1968]

Suggestion purchase a $400 Samsung Worldwaide VCR SV-5000W or a PAL capture card for the PC. Convert his PAL VHS library to digital media (DVD. VCD, SVCD). The wonderfull world of released titles on avaiable in PAL VHS not NTSC VHS.

For a US DVD player, RESEARCH before you buy, many R1 DVD players can be modified via firmware or service window, to allow all Regions to be played on a NTSC TV. blackstar.co.uk is one of the few R2 based store that will ship to a non-Euro address.

I have the Samsung, it has already paid for itself with all the tapes from Europe. Created many DVD-Video with it hooked up through my Dazzle DVC2 PCI.

[Schmendrick]

@tdhg566

The best advice wouldbe to rather buy a NTSC-compatible TV in Europe and also move it along with the rest of his PAL-equipment. As far as I know these multinorm TV-sets are much easier to be obtained in Europe than in the US.

CU
Schmendrick

[Dennis1968]

Major consideration is the input voltage, some products are 220 only. the US is 110 only. Those multiple norm TV sets are easy to get in major international US cities and from the internet. Keep inmind the shipping and Moving Cost between the 2 continents. My firends has parents who has a flat in London and a cottage in Colorado USA, Cheaper to buy electronics for US in US than ship it from UK.