NTSC (US) recorders that can burn or play PAL - multisystem

[donpedro]

I was looking into this a little. This is what I found on web.

Panasonic DMR-E30 => NO-PLAY; NO-BURN (confirmed)
Philips DVDR 75/17 => YES-PLAY (does not convert); YES-BURN (if signal is PAL)
Polaroid DVR-0800 => YES-PLAY; NO-BURN
Panasonic DMR-E100HS => ?-PLAY; ?-BURN
CyberHome CH-DVR 1500 => YES-PLAY; YES-BURN +AC 100V~230V, 50/60Hz
Sharp DV-RW2U => NO-PLAY; NO-BURN
Apex DRX-9000 => ?-PLAY; ?-BURN

Can anybody confirm this or add new players ?

[donpedro]

Hmm... I did some reading and this is what I found in this post

For anyone interestd: my comparison of home DVD recorders
more in the post

Polariod (from Best Buy, $399 in ad, but $374 in store). Absolute junk. When you want to record, it takes about 10 seconds to start, but unlike the Sharp or other units, you can't "rec-pause" until it's ready to go.. it just starts when it feels like it. And get this -- you can't even PAUSE during recording. It's a feature not allowed on the unit. 'Nuff said. Made in China.

Magnavox (+R) (same as Philips), the unit that's $399 at Target. Think it's the "630". But noticed that it's almost identical to one of the newer Philips models. Has nice feature for chapter markings where you can manually add chapters as recordings is going on -- but VIDEO QUALITY IS TERRIBLE, even in SP mode. Interestingly, unlike the other units, you can "see" what the quality will be like just by using the MONITOR function even before recording.

[navarros]

Is the Philips DVDR 75/17 available in the US?

[donpedro]

Yep ! Best Buy. Give me couple of hours and I will post back my test result

[donpedro]

Philips DVDR 75/17 can play PAL DVD but it does not convert. So if your TV does not understand PAL signal, picture is black and white

I will post new post with detailed information about this recorder later on.

[navarros]

No problem about lack of conversion. I have a Plasma display which is multiystem.

[navarros]

I also found the Panasonic DMR-E100HS, but I am certain that it may play back PAL. Some advertisement claims that it does, but some other ads don't mention it. Besides, there is no reference to PAL playback on Panasonic web site.

I am talking here about the US version of this DVDR.

[Paul D]

I live in the UK and have a Panasonic DMR-E20. This has a menu which allows you to switch between PAL and NTSC (for both record and play I think, though I must admit I haven't used this feature yet). At least some other Panasonic machines are the same (I know the E30 is).

I assume that Panasonic have this feature on machines marketed in N America; it would be strange if they didn't.

[donpedro]

Paul D, it is unusual on US DVD players or recorders to support PAL. Do not believe that same Recorder sold in Europe have same features (PAL/NTSC) than one in US.

[donpedro]

I also found the Panasonic DMR-E100HS, but I am certain that it may play back PAL. Some advertisement claims that it does, but some other ads don't mention it. Besides, there is no reference to PAL playback on Panasonic web site.

I am talking here about the US version of this DVDR.

Unfortunately, there is no manual available for download on Panasonics website

[navarros]

A guy form www.avsforum.com told me he has this recorder and the manual states clearly that it won't play back PAL DVDs. I don't understand why the web retailers claim that it will. Maybe they copied the description from European web sites.....

[FulciLives]

You might be interested to know that WORLD GIFT CENTER offers a code free PANASONIC DMR-E60 that can play and record both NTSC and PAL formats. The price is admittingly steep at $799.99 but if you need a multi-system DVD recorder then I think you are hard pressed to pass up PANASONIC especially if the other alternative is PHILIPS.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
This special multi-system unit does no conversion. Input a PAL signal and record in PAL. Insert a PAL DVD and it plays back as PAL. Same for NTSC.

[lordsmurf]

You should include CYBERHOME, SHARP and APEX in your list.

[donpedro]

You should include CYBERHOME, SHARP and APEX in your list.

Give me more details.... model numbers for example. Do you think they can play PAL DVD ?

[lordsmurf]

You should include CYBERHOME, SHARP and APEX in your list.

Give me more details.... model numbers for example. Do you think they can play PAL DVD ?

They only have 1 recorder each from what I know.
The APEX is like 9000DRX or something.
The Cyberhome is new... I'm looking at getting it myself.

I'd bet the Apex and Cyberhome can read, if not write too.

[navarros]

FulciLives is right. I also found the code free panasonic at that outrageous price, but my experience with dvd recorders is that panasonic offer the best image and stability. I think I'm going to get it.

[donpedro]

Just an update.... Philips DVDR 75/17 can burn (record) PAL DVD if signal is PAL. I can confirm that.

[donpedro]

I have confirmation that CyberHome CH-DVR 1500 can play PAL DVD-SVCD sample file downloaded from HERE and burned to DVD.

[jbenj01]

Wait, I don't get it... ??? I'm in the U.S. and have a Panasonic DMR-E20 and a hacked Panasonic DVD player that allegedly is NTSC and PAL compatible..

In the U.S., regardless whether a recorder/player is NTSC and PAL compatible (multisystem, correct??), I thought the display/TV had to be multisystem, no??

I've tried playing a PAL DVD in both the player and recorder on my new Sony KV-34XBR910 and it does NOT work..

Can someone set the record straight, please?? After typing this, i may have gone a little off-topic, but i hope not.. seems all related.

thanks.

[donpedro]

How to explain all this.... ? There are couple of thinks when you deal with PAL DVD in US.

1. Region
PAL DVD's have usually region set to 2 or All. US DVD Player have to be able to play DVD from region 2 (need hack). All US DVD Players play DVD with region All. So if you have DVD with region 2 and standard US DVD Player that is only for region 1 or All... sorry you can't play it.

2. PAL vs NTSC
PAL DVD's are recording in PAL norm which is different from NTSC (resolution, frequency.....). DVD Player have to be able to read this type.

3. Playing vs Converting
Some US DVD players can play (read and output) PAL DVD's but as output you will get PAL video stream. To be able to see video on TV it needs to be multisystem. There are DVD players that converts PAL DVD video stream during playing process and outputs it as NTSC video stream. So for this, any US TV should be just fine.

I hope it is more clear now.

[jbenj01]

Thanks for the info, Don Pedro!

Then I guess that my hacked Panasonic DVD player, even though I can set it to PAL Region 2 manually, is NOT outputting or converting the video stream to NTSC, yes ?

Then I need a true multisystem DVD player.. Recommendations for a good/solid multisystem DVD player in the U.S.?

[donpedro]

Then I guess that my hacked Panasonic DVD player, even though I can set it to PAL Region 2 manually, is NOT outputting or converting the video stream to NTSC, yes ?

I guess.

Then I need a true multisystem DVD player.. Recommendations for a good/solid multisystem DVD player in the U.S.?

Try looking in DVD Players section. I have kind of experience with 3 of them.

Mintek DVD-2580 : Never hacked it to play region 2 (plays and converts PAL DVD region all). Cheap and output is not that good.

Daewoo DVD-5800 : Remote control hack. Plays and coverts all PAL DVD's. Otput is nice, but I have trouble to play on it DVD's that were recorded by DVD Standalone Recorders (Panasonic, Philips).

Koss DVP2161 : Small cheap portable unit (12V). There is firmware hack. Plays everythink, even raw mpeg2 file. Not sure if you can buy this anymore.

For more try in OTHER - DVD Players search.

[jbenj01]

Thanks, my friend.. I was going to rush out to Target tonite to pick up the Lite-On LVD 2001... until I read some of the reviews on here..

[energy80s]

I was looking into this a little. This is what I found on web.

Panasonic DMR-E30 => NO-PLAY; NO-BURN (confirmed)
Philips DVDR 75/17 => YES-PLAY (does not convert); YES-BURN (if signal is PAL)
Polaroid DVR-0800 => YES-PLAY; NO-BURN
Panasonic DMR-E100HS => ?-PLAY; ?-BURN
CyberHome CH-DVR 1500 => YES-PLAY; YES-BURN +AC 100V~230V, 50/60Hz
Sharp DV-RW2U => NO-PLAY; NO-BURN
Apex DRX-9000 => ?-PLAY; ?-BURN

Can anybody confirm this or add new players ?

Interesting to note that the only two machines listed that record PAL are both European - Philips is a Dutch make and Cyberhome is a German make. I guess it must be true what they say about US gear being NTSC only.

[donpedro]

Any new recorders ? What about LiteOn LVW-5001 ?

[donpedro]

I updated info in first post about Cyberhome CH-DVR 1500, that it can record in PAL format.

Source: https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=191305&highlight=

[javierol]

Don Pedro
The reason your Daewoo 5800 has trouble playing Standalone authored DVDRs is because of a firmware bug. You need to go back to a earlier firmware.
Contact me if you like

Javier

[jimmyinhawaii]

Philips 726 727 729 can play all region pal and ntsc disk.
For region you need hack by remote.
For pal disc you need to set out put to ntsc tv only.

[donpedro]

Philips 726 727 729 can play all region pal and ntsc disk.
For region you need hack by remote.
For pal disc you need to set out put to ntsc tv only.

Are these DVD Recorders or Players ?

[Gil T Pleasure]

Players