recording a ntsc-video onto a Pal, dvd recorder.

[grom]

is there some kind of 'Hack' that you can put in to override how the picture shows up?

[hech54]

The problem is that your VCR(?) is putting out a "quasi" signal....meaning it is neither a true NTSC nor a true PAL signal. I've yet to read about any DVD Recorder that can record a quasi signal. Some capture cards can do it though...I don't do capture....sorry...

[kitty]

Look into a NTSC to PAL converter box. one way boxes are not overly expensive. NTSC is less lines than PAL so don't expect a perfect conversion - best to get PAL sources if available.

Or you could get a DVD player that converts different systems like this Pioneer among others.

[jaxxboss]

So, if I had say a pal dvd (region free) and I popped it in my old philps 642 (macrovision free) and all and hooked it up to a dvd Ntsc recorder, would I get a good copy in ntsc ?

Im guessing no, but wanna be sure on this.

[hech54]

Depends on two things:
1) If the Philips 642 is a true converting (pal to ntsc) player...and you want the DVDR to be ntsc....yes.
2) If you want the copy to be PAL......and if the 642 doesn't automatically create a quasi signal(is there a menu option to switch the output between NTSC and PAL output?)....maybe. Some NTSC recorders will record in PAL....some will not. Unfortunately that feature is one that they rarely advertise....or even know about.