Pal camcorder for use in USA

[Ade007]

Hello all,

Can I record and play a Pal camcorder in the USA? My camcorder thats made in the USA (NTSC) has broken down and my sister in England asked is I can use her camcorder which is a pal camcorder.

I'm sad 'cause all the video I've done of my son from birth to 2months was messed up.

Do I need to get any extra equipment to get the pal camcorder to work over here in the USA?

[edDV]

TV set would need to be PAL or multi-standard (read as expensive).

The tapes could not be directly dubbed to a NTSC VCR.

Conversion of PAL to/from NTSC is difficult, time consuming and quality suffers.

Bottom line, you would be better off with a NTSC model unless you spend a lot of time in PAL countries.

I'm sad 'cause all the video I've done of my son from birth to 2months was messed up.

Are you sure? How did that happen?

[Ade007]

[/quote]

Are you sure? How did that happen?[/quote]

When I play the tapes back on the camcorder, everything is distorted and I can't see anything. Every now and then, I may be able to pic out a face but thats about it.

I just wanted to see if I could use the Pal camcorder for now, till I get another camcorder. I have video recorders that can convert the tapes to NTSC if needed. I wanted to know if I can get some sort of converter for me to be able to play, record and also charge the batteries with an adapter?

[hech54]

Some of the better cameras can switch the OUTPUT signal....but it will always record in it's native format....but those are a bit rare.
Most chargers can work from 100-110v to 220v...it is the plug that needs to be changed.
The only problem I see are these video recorders you mention. If you have a "Multi Format" VCR....it won't help much unless the camcorder uses full sized VHS tapes. Multi Format VCR's do not do a true "conversion" of the signal.....they produce a quasi signal. A true converting VCR is expensive(I own one back home in America)....they go for around $400-$500.
99% of the VCR's sold in Europe are "Multi Format" nowadays and are quite cheap in price.
Make sure that you have a Converting VCR and not a Multi Format VCR.

[Ade007]

Some of the better cameras can switch the OUTPUT signal....but it will always record in it's native format....but those are a bit rare.
Most chargers can work from 100-110v to 220v...it is the plug that needs to be changed.
The only problem I see are these video recorders you mention. If you have a "Multi Format" VCR....it won't help much unless the camcorder uses full sized VHS tapes. Multi Format VCR's do not do a true "conversion" of the signal.....they produce a quasi signal. A true converting VCR is expensive(I own one back home in America)....they go for around $400-$500.
99% of the VCR's sold in Europe are "Multi Format" nowadays and are quite cheap in price.
Make sure that you have a Converting VCR and not a Multi Format VCR.

I do have 2 aiwa digital converter video recorders. That should be ok right?

[edDV]

When I play the tapes back on the camcorder, everything is distorted and I can't see anything. Every now and then, I may be able to pic out a face but thats about it.

I just wanted to see if I could use the Pal camcorder for now, till I get another camcorder. I have video recorders that can convert the tapes to NTSC if needed. I wanted to know if I can get some sort of converter for me to be able to play, record and also charge the batteries with an adapter?

Can you try to play the tapes in another camcorder to see if they are corrupt? Odds are if they once played, they will still play.

My advice. Stick to NTSC camcorders.

[Ade007]

Can you try to play the tapes in another camcorder to see if they are corrupt? Odds are if they once played, they will still play.

My advice. Stick to NTSC camcorders.

This was the first time I played these particular tapes and it didn't work.

[hech54]

Some of the better cameras can switch the OUTPUT signal....but it will always record in it's native format....but those are a bit rare.
Most chargers can work from 100-110v to 220v...it is the plug that needs to be changed.
The only problem I see are these video recorders you mention. If you have a "Multi Format" VCR....it won't help much unless the camcorder uses full sized VHS tapes. Multi Format VCR's do not do a true "conversion" of the signal.....they produce a quasi signal. A true converting VCR is expensive(I own one back home in America)....they go for around $400-$500.
99% of the VCR's sold in Europe are "Multi Format" nowadays and are quite cheap in price.
Make sure that you have a Converting VCR and not a Multi Format VCR.

I do have 2 aiwa digital converter video recorders. That should be ok right?

I have an Aiwa HV MX 100(?)....something like that...
If it is a converting VCR that you have...all you'd need to do is import the video from the camcorder to the VCR via the RCA (or s-video if you are lucky) and convert away. You don't even need to record the footage....you can use the VCR as a passthrough too. Set input as PAL and output as NTSC and then to your TV....simple.
Converting VCR's do come in handy don't they?...

[Ade007]

They sure do. I'm keeping my fingers crossed hoping it's a problem with the camcorder and not the tapes.