Where to buy a "True" PAL DVD Player

[CaZeek]

Hello,
I've been searching around with the goal in mind to convert PAL to NTSC via hardware. After some advice and reading some articles, including www.dvddemystified.com, I'm learning that most players that play PAL don't really output a true PAL signal. Does anyone have any suggestions or links to a pure PAL DVD system, that reads a PAL disk and ouputs it as would be played on a PAL TV. It needs to be shipped to the U.S. I'm also interested in a similar unit for VHS tapes. Thank you.

[CaZeek]

To clarify, I'd be using an external converter after the PAL DVD player and connecting it to a DVD Recorder or some other capture device. I don't want any conversion in the DVD player, just pure PAL DVD, PAL Output.. no NTSC hybrid or any attempted conversion.

[xxiangg]

I am not sure what do you mean "true" PAL DVD player.
China is a country using PAL standard. A friend of mine
bought a DVD player in China and took it to US. It works
exactly in the same way as the DVD player I bought here
in US. I believe most DVD player in US will play NTSC
disk as well as PAL disk. But not all of them will do
TV standard convertion. So if you put a PAL disk to the
player and watch it in NTSC TV, you will see some B/W
junk signals on the screen. But there are many cheap
DVD players sold in US has a built in converter. For
example, APEX1500 and Sampo6xx. But those player with
converter has a control to allow you to control TV
signal type. You can either select "original", which
will turn signal convertion off. So if you put a PAL
disk, it outputs PAL signal. Or you can select "NTSC",
which will always output NTSC TV signal, regardless of
if a PAL or a NTSC disk is in the player. Some of the
players may have the third selection, "PAL", which will
always output PAL TV signals.

[adam]

PAL is PAL, plain and simple. If your source DVD is encoded in PAL format, and the DVD player is set to output PAL, then that's what you get. What the DVD Demsytified FAQ is referring to is when you play an NTSC source on a PAL DVD player, it typically outputs PAL 60Hz. But a PAL source will always be output as PAL unless the player converts it to NTSC, and this function either won't be available on the player or it will be selectable from the player's settings.

You don't need to order the player from overseas, just get any player that supports PAL output. In fact, if you've got a computer with a dvd-rom and an S-Video or DVI output on your video card then you can just use that. (assuming your external converter also has these inputs.)

[hech54]

The best way to convert PAL to NTSC is through a DVD player that converts between the two. You are getting confused by the PAL-Land DVD players that just so happen to play NTSC DVD's very easily....and end up sending out a quasi signal.

On YOUR end of the pond you will need to find a player that CONVERTS to a true NTSC signal....which is a whole lot easier than importing a PAL player.

If the DVD player converts....you won't have a quasi signal....especially in America.

[adam]

He's already got an external PAL->NTSC converter he just needs a way to send the signal to it, and he doesn't want any modification to be done to it before it gets there. Any DVD player with PAL output will accomplish this exactly, including his pc.

Unless you spend a decent amount of money, most dvd players that convert to PAL don't do a very high quality job of it. I'm sure an external converter would do a much better job.

[CaZeek]

Ah.. so the quasi-signal only occurs when a PAL player plays an NTSC disk, not vice-versa? So, assuming I'm using an external converter, any PAL player as the input would produce the same results? In other words, if I get some $30 peice of garbage that will play PAL, is that going to be just as good as any PAL player video quality wise as long as it has S-Video output? Thanks!

[CaZeek]

Thanks Adam, that was exactly what the answer I was looking for. Unless anyone else has any other advice, I think that should solve my question.

[adam]

Ah.. so the quasi-signal only occurs when a PAL player plays an NTSC disk, not vice-versa? So, assuming I'm using an external converter, any PAL player as the input would produce the same results?

As far as it remaining a PAL signal, yes.

In other words, if I get some $30 peice of garbage that will play PAL, is that going to be just as good as any PAL player video quality wise as long as it has S-Video output? Thanks!

Well no. The signal is still being decoded and processed, and the better the quality of the decoder in the player the better video quality you will get. But as far as the signal remaining PAL versus being output as PAL 60Hz (hybrid), it doesn't make a bit of difference which PAL capable player you use.

[CaZeek]

To follow up on that one more time, if I may:
Any suggestions on a fairly cheap, but good quality DVD player w/ PAL output for the purposes of conversion (as explained above).. if there are any significant setbacks of a cheap player, please let me know. I'm looking at the Phillips DVP 642 right now.

[hech54]

Your best bet is to stay away from "The Big Guys"....take a PAL DVD with you to Best Buy, Circuit Cty....wherever....and try stuff like Apex. Explain to them what you are looking to do. Most salespeople will know what you are talking about. Just ask them to show you the converted signal...just to make sure it does convert and the salesperson isn't relying on word of mouth.
Some Apex even have a button on the remote with an N/P on it....how convenient is that?...

[CaZeek]

That sounds like a good idea, but just to completely clarify, because it seems as though this is getting confused. I am not looking for a DVD Player that converts. I just want a DVD player that plays PAL. The conversion will be done after via an external converter. So the DVD Player I'm looking for doesn't need to be fancy.. just has to have a good quality output through S-Video.

[hech54]

If you already have a good quality converter then your way is probably best. If you don't already have a converter....buying something like an Apex IS the way to go.
There are many places in NYC that sell PAL-NTSC Converting VCRs...if you are willing to pay for it. I've yet to see any shop in LA, NYC or any other major US city that stocks a true PAL only DVD player....because they are even hard to find here in PAL land where I am.

[adam]

heck54, I think we already went through this above. There is no such thing as a "true PAL" player. If it has PAL outputs then it will output a PAL encoded signal as such. Players with this function are abundant all over the world. These days, its getting hard to find a player that doesn't do this and I can't imagine that a store in a PAL region wouldn't carry such a player because it would literally be useless in that country.

cazeek, in all honesty I'd suggest avoiding Apex players. They are generally advised because of their versatility, and that's why I have three of them (I even have an Apex tv), but they are not known for their quality. I've tried 3 different models and I find the quality to be very substandard. All I can really suggest is to go to a local shop and just test some out.

[hech54]

If it has PAL outputs then it will output a PAL encoded signal as such.

Besides a scart outlet which is normal for PAL equipment....how can you tell a PAL cinch(RCA) or s-video from an NTSC cinch(RCA) or s-video by looking at them?

[adam]

I don't understand your question. The output connector types on the player have nothing to do with PAL or NTSC, they simply export the data that the player sends. A DVD player has "Pal output" if it has a PAL output option in its menu, or if it otherwise says it is PAL compatible. If it is sold in a PAL region then it obviously has to be able to output a PAL signal.

For a player that supports both PAL and NTSC, hook up an S-Video cable. Set the menu to PAL and you are outputting a PAL signal. Change it to NTSC and now you are outputting an NTSC signal.

[TBoneit]

Apex 3 DVD Changer I use has a selection to output Pal, NTSC, Or Convert to NTSC.
If I choose PAL I get non usable signal on my NTSC TV.

Just get a inexpensive Apex model that supports both output formats and you are done.

That being said I just play the PAL and let the Apex convert to NTSC for me, input into a cheap DVD recorder and Done! Quality looks good, and 1.5 hour movie only takes 1.5 hours plus finalize time Or I take the DVD RW and rip into the computer and re-author it.

But as I know it the APex will output either NTSC or PAL format video.

Cheers