"Cannot Play PAL discs"...

[Neptuna_Fish]

I have this friend (no- seriously! I do) who lives in the US and has a friend from Sweden who sent her a DVD copy of some soccer matches, and she can't play them in her stand-alone DVD player, but she does have a computer with a regular ol' CD-ROM drive...

Is this an issue of region code restrictions embedded in the DVDs?

What are her options?

[glockjs]

could be region, could be the dvd player...and then probably the biggest prob the actual tv... you could convert it over for her(guides to the left) or buy a dvd rom for the puter for cheap and she can watch it on the puter...

[jimmalenko]

If it's been burnt on a PC DVD burner, there'd be a very good chance that the disc is region free I would think. I don't know whether standalone DVD recorders can put regions on.

Buying a DVD-ROM is the best fix IMO. It's quick and simple and requries little to no effort or time on your part, and I'm sure she'll get more use out of her computer is she's got a DVD-ROM in there.

[Neptuna_Fish]

Hey, thanks a lot you guys...though, there's sort of a new twist to this situation: My friend is going to send me some of the copies containing the matches, and I'm going to burn some duplicates for myself, THEN send the originals back to her...

...So, since I have both a DVD-ROM and burner, I shouldn't encounter any problems in making copies for myself if I use programs like DVD Decrptor/Shrink?...*isn't sure*... ... *just discoverd the guide "Using DVD Decryptor and DVD Shrink to Backup Any DVD"*

[Nilfennasion]

The problem:

Most American televisions will not accept a PAL signal. Some DVD-Video players sold in America won't even try to output a PAL disc. So when you get right down to it, PAL is an essentially useless format in the USA.

The solution:

Either get a player that converts PAL to NTSC (hard to find), or get a DVD-ROM drive and watch the disc on your computer. If you have a computer with TV-out that can convert the signal from PAL to NTSC, that also works. Failing those options, converting the disc itself from PAL to NTSC, as has already been suggested, is the way to go.

[hech54]

Most cheapie Apex brand players sold in America will convert PAL to NTSC. Tell your friend to snoop around the menu settings of her DVD player (even if it is not an Apex)....it just might be hidden there somewhere and she just has never had the need to look for it before.
Also a well known sign that a player converts.....an inconspicuous little button on the remote with N/P on it....you never know...it just might be that simple....MIGHT.
The "Big Name" players are least likely to be able to convert believe it or not.

[glockjs]

most new dvd players will convert...it's the tele that's the prob.... www.newegg.com get a lite-on and be happy

[hech54]

But if the DVD player converts...and it is in line ahead of the TV....how can the TV be the problem?
It's going to be receiving the already converted (to NTSC) signal.

[Nilfennasion]

There are two potential problems with conversion:

One, the player converts but does so badly. This is a big problem in PAL countries, especially since some players can only convert into PAL-60, which a lot of PAL-only displays cannot sync to. While signal sync might not be a problem in NTSC countries (I don't know the full ins and outs of it), I hear that bad conversion is just as big there.

Two, the display finds something objectionable about the conversion (see point one), and refuses to display a signal as a result. This is especially a problem if the signal has been converted badly from 25 to 30 fps. I tried this trick with one DVD player (actually, I tried it the other way around, but bear with me), and the display went blank because every second frame was incomplete (ie frame 1 was 625 lines but frame 2 was only converted to 600 or something like that).

In the end, it comes down to what the user's needs are. A conversion, however, introduces artefacts by definition.

[hech54]

A DVD player that does NOT require that you change any settings.....one that just plays any DVD you stick in it(like most European DVD players)....is 9 times out of 10 giving you a quasi signal which does in my opinion...SUCK !!!

If there is a special menu option or something like an N/P button on your remote....that player is most likely giving you a TRUE conversion.

I grew up in America(NTSC) a fan of an Australian singer and collected all of his VHS tapes and DVDs(PAL).....I now live in Europe and have been living here for two years. I live in a world that has ALOT of BOTH PAL and NTSC since my family is still in America.

People make this ALOT more difficult and confusing than it really is.....especially when you are dealing with region free material like from a DVDR.

[Nilfennasion]

A DVD player that does NOT require that you change any settings.....one that just plays any DVD you stick in it(like most European DVD players)....is 9 times out of 10 giving you a quasi signal which does in my opinion...SUCK !!!

Yes, this is the most likely source of the problem. In PAL countries, you get the best of both worlds, as modern televisions will generally accept both signals in their native form. Which is the best way to play them. From what I have heard about NTSC displays, a quasi signal simply will not be accepted. I have yet to see a player here with that kind of remote, however.

[hech54]

I have one here in Europe....from a no name company called Skantic....has an N/P button right on the remote....how freaking handy is that?...
I really have to dig that thing out of my basement again....I have another project that needs converted coming up soon.

[Noahtuck]

CyberHome Compact Multiformat Progressive-Scan DVD Player

& yes, if the DVD player converts the tv is of no issue

[ZombieRes]

I have a cheapie Apex player and a Cyberhome portable dvd player. If you use the hacks provided on this site you should have no prob. playing anything. I imported Shaun of the Dead from the UK when it came out there and its a R2 Pal disc and then I got Undead which is a Aussie R4 Pal disc and I've never had a problem playing them. Just a suggestion.