NTSC->NTSC and PAL->PAL VHS transfer: can it be done?

[gzevspero]

Hi,
I have some VHS tapes I'd like to transfer from

[gzevspero]

Oops... I'll try again.
I have some VHS tapes I'd like to copy to DVD using an LG DR165. I am able to copy PAL tapes to PAL DVD without a problem, but cannot burn NTSC tapes; I get the error "TV: System Mismatch". I'm not trying to convert from NTSC to PAL - NTSC DVD from an NTSC tape is fine.
From reading through previous posts though, I was able to gather that most multisystem recorders don't really record in NTSC, but instead in PAL 60, and that if I want a real NTSC recorder I'd have to get a true multisystem, but DVD's burnt on those multisystem ones don't play on all players, and if I buy an NTSC-only burner in the US, it will have problems working with the 220 voltage... so I'm quite confused.
Basically, if I want to be able to copy PAL to PAL, and NTSC to NTSC, and have both formats playable on most DVD players, what is the best way to go about it?
Many thanks,
Gadi

[FulciLives]

First and foremost you need a VHS VCR that can play a NTSC VHS and output true NTSC ... not PAL60.

The problem is that most if not nearly all VHS VCR's sold in PAL format countries will only play a NTSC VHS as PAL60 and that is no good.

So first thing is to make sure you have a VHS VCR that can play NTSC VHS as regular NTSC and not PAL60.

After that you need a way of recording the NTSC signal.

I am not familiar with your model DVD recorder but it seems that most DVD recorders can only record PAL or NTSC and not both HOWEVER some will record NTSC if you send it a true NTSC signal even though it is a PAL model DVD recorder.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[ntscuser]

Oops... I'll try again.
I have some VHS tapes I'd like to copy to DVD using an LG DR165. I am able to copy PAL tapes to PAL DVD without a problem, but cannot burn NTSC tapes; I get the error "TV: System Mismatch". I'm not trying to convert from NTSC to PAL - NTSC DVD from an NTSC tape is fine.
From reading through previous posts though, I was able to gather that most multisystem recorders don't really record in NTSC, but instead in PAL 60

To correct a common misconception, multi-system VCR's record NTSC tapes in true NTSC (3.58MHz) color regardless of whether the input was true-NTSC (3.58MHz) or PAL 60 (4.43Mhz). Some VCR's, DVD players and laserdisc players convert the output from an NTSC source to PAL 60 but that is not the same thing.

and that if I want a real NTSC recorder I'd have to get a true multisystem, but DVD's burnt on those multisystem ones don't play on all players, and if I buy an NTSC-only burner in the US, it will have problems working with the 220 voltage... so I'm quite confused.
Basically, if I want to be able to copy PAL to PAL, and NTSC to NTSC, and have both formats playable on most DVD players, what is the best way to go about it?
Many thanks,
Gadi

A european spec Panasonic DVD recorder will record NTSC but only from a true NTSC source (3.58MHz). It will not record NTSC from a component input of any kind. I think Pioneer DVD recorders do something similar.

[gzevspero]

Thanks for your replies. I'm outputting video from a Samsung DVD-V440 (a combo DVD/VCR machine). I looked through the specs in the manual and found the following listed under VCR-Color System: "PAL, MESECAM, NT 3.58, NTSC4.43, NTSC playback on PAL TV".
Does this mean it's outputting true NTSC?
In any case, I see I'm going to need to get another DVD recorder that can record NTSC.
If I get a European true multisystem recorder, like the Pioneer/Panasonic you mentioned, will the discs it records be playable on most players (provided they support the format the respective DVD was burned in, of course)?
And if I just get an American DVD recorder, can I expect it to work properly on 220V?
Thanks.

[ntscuser]

Thanks for your replies. I'm outputting video from a Samsung DVD-V440 (a combo DVD/VCR machine). I looked through the specs in the manual and found the following listed under VCR-Color System: "PAL, MESECAM, NT 3.58, NTSC4.43, NTSC playback on PAL TV".
Does this mean it's outputting true NTSC?

The "NT 3.58" you mention sounds like true NTSC.

In any case, I see I'm going to need to get another DVD recorder that can record NTSC.
If I get a European true multisystem recorder, like the Pioneer/Panasonic you mentioned, will the discs it records be playable on most players (provided they support the format the respective DVD was burned in, of course)?

Yes, but I suggest using the option to move the menu to the end of the disc on the Panasonic and omitting the menu altogether on the Pioneer for maximum compatibility. Many players stall on the menu.

And if I just get an American DVD recorder, can I expect it to work properly on 220V? Thanks.

No, you will need a plug-in 110 to 220 voltage converter.

[JohnnyMalaria]

I looked through the specs in the manual and found the following listed under VCR-Color System: "PAL, MESECAM, NT 3.58, NTSC4.43, NTSC playback on PAL TV".
Does this mean it's outputting true NTSC?

Not necessarily. It means it can read NTSC 3.58 from the tape but it doesn't imply that what comes "out the back" is 3.58. It could easily be 4.43 (based on other threads here I think it is).

[ntscuser]

According to the English language manual, the DVD-V440 is able to output true PAL from an NTSC source ("NTPB") which the LG should be able to record. There is no option of true NTSC output.

http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/200405/20040506150745546_00413B_DVD-V540-XSG-web_.pdf