Philips DVP642 - Use in Europe

[hobbes79]

I am currently in the US and have a Philips DVP642 DVD and Divx player.

But I will be moving to England in the next few weeks. I see the unit can be switched to PAL output, which will be perfect. Since I am in the US, I have a lot of region 1 NTSC format DVDs. I assume the player will be able to convert the NTSC to PAL for me while I am in England.

But on Amazon, it says this under tech details for the player:

PAL/NTSC conversion: Converts PAL signal to NTSC, converts NTSC signals to PAL from VCD discs only

This seems to suggest, it will not do what I have in mind, and that I won't be able to watch any of my region 1 NTSC DVDs while in the UK.

But when I read the manual for the player, it says this:

NTSC - Select this if the connected TV is NTSC system. It will change the signal of a PAL disc (VCD only) and output to NTSC format.

This appears to be suggesting quite the opposite, that the problem would be playing PAL discs in the US. And I know this to be garbage anyway, since I've played a load of PAL DVDs while in the US on my NTSC TV, without a hitch.

Also, in the manual, it says:

PAL - Select this if the connected TV is PAL system. It will change the video signal of an NTSC disc and output to a PAL format

Well, that sounds perfect for what I want! But appears to completely contradict what it says on Amazon.

So, has anyone taken this player to Europe and used it to play NTSC discs (DVDs & Divx files) onto a PAL TV ok? I already have the voltage converter I need, so just need this confirmed.

At the moment, I'm just confused...

Thanks in advance for any help

[jagabo]

I doubt there will be any problem. If there is, just buy a cheap region free DVD player when you get there.

That player was sold all over the world with different model numbers. You can change it into a European version with a few button presses on the remote.

[hobbes79]

I already made it region free ok. As you say, I very much DOUBT their will be a problem. I just got concerned after what I read on Amazon. If anyone has taken this very one to Europe, I'd like to hear about your experiences

[jagabo]

This old thread has some information about firmware upgrades and such:

https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=215682

[hobbes79]

Thanks for the info! But I'm still struggling to find a solid answer to my very specific question. I did an experiment though that seemed to work. I switched the TV output to PAL, so on my US television it was of course a B/W blurry mess. But it then did play an NTSC DVD, and converted it to the same B/W blurry mess! I would assume then all will be ok in England.

I was looking at the cost of the European version. They don't seem to sell that anymore (not on Amazon.co.uk anyway). The newer Europen Philips Divx player is 60 GBP... about $100. Mine was $40, so well worth bringing... but of course, only if it works!

[jagabo]

Thanks for the info! But I'm still struggling to find a solid answer to my very specific question. I did an experiment though that seemed to work. I switched the TV output to PAL, so on my US television it was of course a B/W blurry mess. But it then did play an NTSC DVD, and converted it to the same B/W blurry mess! I would assume then all will be ok in England.

When I upgraded my firmware long ago it came up as a PAL model so I had the same scrambled video problem. I just went to the "secret" setup and changed it back to the US model.

The player may be outputting PAL60 when playing NTSC material to a PAL TV. This is something of a hybrid between NTSC and real PAL. But most PAL TVs will display it.

Note that DVD region 2 includes both Europe (PAL) and Japan (NTSC) so region 2 players have to accomodate both.

[hobbes79]

Okay, thanks again for the great info! Sounds as though I'm in pretty good shape then. And worst case scenario, I may have to upload a european and later version of firmware to make sure, which I can do upon arrival if necessary. The manual provided by Philips says it will do what I want it to do (NTSC to PAL display conversion)... it was just Amazon.com that caused me to lose my nerve.

The "B/W & blurry" experiment worked with both DVDs and Divx files just fine.

[celtic_druid]

TV's over there should be able to handle NTSC fine anyway.

[jman98]

hobbes79 - I would take that "VCD only" statement at Amazon with a grain of salt. You'd be surprised at how many "problems" with various DVD players are in fact "user error". Even the player reviews here at this site are sometimes wrong. I had an old Apex player a few years ago (I have forgotten the model number) and some of the reviews here insisted that this model would play miniDVD. miniDVD is DVD format on CD-R media. Most standalone DVD players won't play it. The Apex I had would not under any circumstances play miniDVD, but several guys here said it would. I finally asked one of them about it in a private email and he said "Uh, well, I don't actually have that player myself, somebody just told me it would play it." So you see everyone who writes a review doesn't really know what they are talking about.

[hobbes79]

jman98, that "VCD only" comment was actually written under the technical specifications of the player, not just somebody writing a review. I am still thinking it's wrong though. I've done a LOT of searching to find anyone having a problem with only being able to play VCDs, and not a whisper. No mention of the issue on the DVP630 (UK version) on amazon.co.uk. I'll just roll the dice and take it with me to Europe. I'll also update this thread with my findings to end the debate!

[giannid]

Like Celtic_Druid said, most recent TV's in Britain will allow for playback of NTSC.

The bigger problem is that your dvp642 is geared for 110 volts, not the 220-250 volts you get in the UK. This could cost you $30-50 to get it changed.

If you want to buy one when you get there, the DVP5100 is the next generation of the DVP642
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00096J3HG/

[hobbes79]

I contacted Philips and did an on-line chat. Looks like it will be ok for what I want...

Customer Service: This is Ella of the Customer Care Department. How may I help you today?

Guest: I have a DVP642 I wish to connect to a PAL TV. Will this player be able to convert NTSC DVDs to PAL. Amazon.com says this: "converts NTSC signals to PAL from VCD discs only"

Customer Service: I'll be glad to assist you regarding your concern.

Guest: ok

Customer Service: It shows in our system that this unit DVP642 supports both PAL and NTSC.

Customer Service: Let me further check information here in our system. Just one moment.

Guest: So it will convert NTSC DVDs and DivX files to PAL ok? No problems? And Amazon.com is wrong in saying it can only do this for VCDs?

Customer Service: No, it won't convert the NTSC DVDs to PAL. The DVDs should also be in PAL format, bec. your TV could only support PAL.

Guest: I'm looking through the DVP642 manual now, and it says: "PAL - Select this if the connected TV is PAL system. It will change the video signal of an NTSC disc and output to a PAL format". Wouldn't that suggest it would do it ok? And that's in the manual that came in the box...

Customer Service: Yes, it is correct and that is only for DVDs, not for VCDs.

Guest: Only DVDs? Perfect, that's all I have.

Customer Service: Ok.

Customer Service: Is there anything else I can assist you with?

Guest: No, I'm all set. Thanks for your help.

Customer Service: Thank you for choosing Philips Customer Care. Have a nice day!

[jagabo]

As usual, the customer knows more about the product than customer service.

[FulciLives]

Customer service chat on-line ???

*** shakes his head ***

What will they think of next

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[hobbes79]

Just thought I would add a conclusion to a thread I started months ago.

I now have a DVP642 in the UK, and it converts NTSC DVDs and DivX files to PAL just fine. And indeed, works just great in Europe

Just had to have a voltage converter. And yes, I have read the mod to make sure I don't even need that, but I don't have the nerve to start attacking my player with a soldering iron!

[jman98]

Glad to hear it worked for you. I thought it would. Where did you see a mod for converting the power supply? I'd love to see that. PM me if you don't think it's interesting enough to post here.