Pal/NTSC Vhs and DVD recording combo.

[D.A.R.J.R.]

I have 2 pal tapes I want to convert to dvd. Does anyone know of a cheap pal vcr or a DVD/vcr combo that can play pal tapes? I only need it to do 2 tapes then I'll probably just use it every once and awhile to record tv shows when I am away.

The sharp DVRW550 is really cheap on ecost.com; only $74. Does anyone know if that one will play the pal tapes and record them? I have a liteon 5005x/ilo dvdr04 that supposedly can record pal signals but no vcr to play the tapes.

Thanks to anyone that can help.

[hech54]

I don't see any mention of PAL on the description:
http://www.ecost.com/ecost/echw/shop/detail.asp?dpno=5074983&Action=Detail
What makes you think that is going to work?
A PAL machine will have things called SCART connectors.

[samijubal]

You're looking at an expensive VCR to do PAL in the U.S. It would be far cheaper to just take the tapes to a duplicating service in your area and pay them to do it. If there isn't anyplace that can do it near you, there's places online that will do it.

[jman98]

PAL/NTSC multistandard VCRs are expensive. Try $300 or more. That's for the cheap ones that don't actually convert the video but play it in whatever format the tape is in - NTSC tape produces NTSC output, PAL tape produces PAL output. I suppose you could maybe order a PAL VCR from overseas for less money, but you'd have to deal with the 220 volt power that such a VCR would expect. You'd have to buy a step up voltage converter. I'd guess that a good one that could actually run a VCR would cost you at least $60 and that might be a big underestimate.

samijubal's advice is excellent. You really should go to a duplicating service in your area. Even if they charged you $30 a tape to do the work, you'd come out ahead over buying a PAL VCR you're only going to use twice.

By the way, you should check a place like http://www.amazon.co.uk and see if your tapes are available on DVD. Amazon UK's shipping costs to the USA are cheaper than you might think and it might be the cheapest option of all to just buy these 2 shows on DVD if they are available in the UK. You could also check Ebay to see if someone has an NTSC DVD of them. You might be surprised at what's available, although do understand that some DVDs sold on Ebay are bootlegs. However, if what you want is hard to find you may have no choice but to buy this way as there may not be anyone who wants to sell a legitimate copy.

[Dubber]

It depends, I was lucky enough 4-5 months back when I ran across a bunch of brand new and never opened Samsung SV5000W at Fry's for US$124.99, yes, misspriced somehow but I bought one for that price. It's a multisystem converting VCR. I use it to copy tapes to Panny EH55's HDD, chop and burn.
Keep your eyes open when at your local Fry's ....

[hech54]

PAL/NTSC multistandard VCRs are expensive. Try $300 or more.

Multistandard VCR's are CHEAP....you are thinking of a "converting" VCR.

[jman98]

PAL/NTSC multistandard VCRs are expensive. Try $300 or more.

Multistandard VCR's are CHEAP....you are thinking of a "converting" VCR.

Thanks for the correction. My bad.

[D.A.R.J.R.]

PAL/NTSC multistandard VCRs are expensive. Try $300 or more.

Multistandard VCR's are CHEAP....you are thinking of a "converting" VCR.

Your on the same page as me. Im not looking for a converting vcr I just want something that can play the pal tapes.

You're looking at an expensive VCR to do PAL in the U.S. It would be far cheaper to just take the tapes to a duplicating service in your area and pay them to do it. If there isn't anyplace that can do it near you, there's places online that will do it.

My concern is that that they are commercial tapes so some places might not do them.


And no they are not available on dvd or else I would just rebuy them.

I wonder if this one would work?

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4810680

It says it does pal but it doesnt specify if thats only for the dvd.

EDIT: downloaded the manual and it says it doesn't do pal at all.

[jman98]

Take a look at
http://www.world-import.com/302.htm
and look at the first model, which in theory should do EXACTLY what you want.

By the way, I entered
converting VCR
(technically not correct as this is not a converting VCR, but it got me a link to this site where I found this model) in Yahoo to find it. Search engines are your friend. I have never bought from this company before. You might do a search to see if any customers have any comments, good or bad, about them before buying.

[hech54]

PAL/NTSC multistandard VCRs are expensive. Try $300 or more.

Multistandard VCR's are CHEAP....you are thinking of a "converting" VCR.

Your on the same page as me. Im not looking for a converting vcr I just want something that can play the pal tapes.

No you are not.

I have 2 pal tapes I want to convert to dvd.

My DVD Recorder (which can record either NTSC or PAL) will NOT record from my multistandard VCR's. DVD Recorders only record a true signal....not a quasi.

[D.A.R.J.R.]

Im not looking for something that makes "quasi" signal just something that I can use to play and convert pal vhs to pal dvd.

[victoriabears]

i do a lot of transfers/converting for people.

What are these 2 vhs's you have, I ask as I may be able to source dvd's for you or you could send them to me and I'll do both pal and ntsc dvd's for you.

Yes I am a super nice guy who enjoys his hobby and likes to help.

[hech54]

Im not looking for something that makes "quasi" signal just something that I can use to play and convert pal vhs to pal dvd.

Then you need a regular PAL VCR and a DVD Recorder capable of recording a PAL signal.