DVD Players & PAL

[snakeypits]

Howdy!

Here be my query:

Which DVD players that play VCD in the North American market , automatically convert PAL versions to NTSC so that they can be watched on my NTSC only TV? Please let me know if the player you cite is still available at the retail level or in the used one.

Can a PAL VCD still be played on a non-converting one and the signal sent to a PAL TV with the image appearing as clear as is intended?

Thanks y'all

SP

[Capt_Diode]

snakeypits,

Both Apex and GE models are capable of playing PAL DVD's and VCD's in NTSC format. I came across the first season of the Sopranos on DVD from Australia, which are region 4 and PAL. I also have all the Star Wars episodes on VCD PAL. Both my Apex 703 and GE 5303 play them fine. I Purchased the Apex from Circuit City and GE from Wal-Mart. Also the VCD's can be converted to NTSC if you have the time and patience. I did all 13 episodes of the Sopranos to VCD and was impressed with the outcome. There is also a feature on these units that allow for output to be either PAL or NTSC. As for picture quality I cant tell the difference between PAL or NTSC recorded media.

As a side note, If anyone can explain how Shinco is able to perform the conversion PAL to NTSC for TV display, I would love to know how the did it. The videos are always in sync.

Good Luck,
Captain Diode
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[snakeypits]

Update:


Went out to the shops with my PAL VCD's in hand and tested them on a few machines. Found out that Sony & JVC make units that have the convertor in built.

Ah, the relief. I did not want to have to pay in temporal and/or finance to convert them.

[Eug]

Both Apex and GE models are capable of playing PAL DVD's and VCD's in NTSC format. I came across the first season of the Sopranos on DVD from Australia, which are region 4 and PAL. I also have all the Star Wars episodes on VCD PAL. Both my Apex 703 and GE 5303 play them fine.

Just to clarify, for DVDs in PAL, in North America they still won't play because most commercial DVDs are encrypted. Thus PAL support will be useless for most DVD unless you have a modded machine, a no-region hack (like a special code from the remote control) or something.

[Capt_Diode]

EUG,

Thanks for the clarification, you are correct. My units have been modified to play everything which is why I chose them.

The forum may wish to add to the player list a column that lists video formats supported since NTSC/PAL problems are listed often. The VCD's I have purchased have all been in PAL. I live in a region that uses NTSC thus PAL VCD's may or may not play. Converting my DVD's PAL to VCD NTSC was no easy task.

My question about how Shinco is able to convert PAL to NTSC still stands. If anyone could explain the process I would love to hear it. I figure they must be somehow subtracting fields.

snakeypits,

I'm glad to see you were able to find a solution.

Cheers,
Captain Diode
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