Which name brand dvd players have PAL to NTSC converters?

[mariop]

ATTN Every onein USA!

This subject always seems to produces very confusing information everywhere. Dvdrhelp.com is useless regarding this issue. Just about every dvd player is listed as codefree and multisystem.

I want to spend between $150 to $350 for a name brand dvd player (eg. sony, panasonic, toshiba, etc) that has built-in PAL-->NTSC converter and is region code free. Preferably, I want to go to bestbuy, or compusa, or sears, or...whatever, and take one home with me, set it up and play PAL movies on NTSC tv.

I checked these vendors and they tell me they do not sell these players.

1. Do such players exist? Which ones?

2. Where do I buy them?

Please provide factual info from your personal experience.

[falberni]

I think what you're looking for can be more easily found in less well known, Chinese made DVD players. I have a Norcent 302 player. I bought it from Amazon for $55 not too long ago but I don't think they have any more. Norcent 300 is also good but doesn't have the LCD on the front of it. My 302 plays Pal on my NTSC TV and you can find the region hack for it on this web site. Look for the hack in the DVD Player section on the left and search for Norcent.

[GabeB]

https://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers.php?DVDnameid=3245&Search=Search&#comments

I think the Toshiba 4900 would fit your needs perfectly. It has a Pal/NTSC converter built in and is easily made regioun free by pushing a few buttons or by burning a CD and updating the firmware. Best of all it's only $89 at Best Buy (US).

[FOO]

I got a Mintek for $45 and it converts PAL to NTSC on the fly

[mariop]

Thanks folks. I think toshiba is the answer. Thx gabe for pointing me to it.

[absolutic]

Magnavox 421 - 49$ not only plays Pal/NTSC but also plays row MPEG/MPG files

[GabeB]

The great thing abot the Toshiba is that to play a DVD from another region all that needs to be done is:

Menu
1
Play

To get rid of the messege:

Marker
Clear

Also, it is able to do anamorphic PAL to NTSC conversion, which most players have difficulty in doing. Oh, it's also progressive scan.

[abadfish]

https://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers.php?DVDnameid=3245&Search=Search&#comme nts

I think the Toshiba 4900 would fit your needs perfectly. It has a Pal/NTSC converter built in and is easily made regioun free by pushing a few buttons or by burning a CD and updating the firmware. Best of all it's only $89 at Best Buy (US).

I'm not saying you're wrong but is there any documentation that states that it does play PAL?? Best Buy's web site says nothing about playing PAL.

[Gazorgan]

Some APEX's will.

The easiest way is to stick a PAL VCD/SVCD/DVD into it at the store and see what you get. Both of mine do, which suprised me as they are sub $60 units.

[tonyp12]

The Sharp 740u can do it.

You have to reveal the hidden button on the remote though.

If you use you finger and apply pressure left side and 1" down
you will see where to use a small knife to cutout the hole.


This will play PAL as NTSC.

Not to be confused with dvd players that only play PAL as PAL
and NTSC as NSTC.

[arana]

lvd 2002 will do also, plus plays divx, xvid , vcd, svcd, mp3, wma, kvcd , cvd etc


also my apex 1010w plays them flawlessly

[manco]

https://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers.php?DVDnameid=3245&Search=Search&#comme nts

I think the Toshiba 4900 would fit your needs perfectly. It has a Pal/NTSC converter built in and is easily made regioun free by pushing a few buttons or by burning a CD and updating the firmware. Best of all it's only $89 at Best Buy (US).

I'm not saying you're wrong but is there any documentation that states that it does play PAL?? Best Buy's web site says nothing about playing PAL.

There is no documentation. These are hidden features. The box/manual also says it's Region 1, but I just bought one of these this week and it definitely plays all regions and does correct aspect ratio PAL>NTSC conversion with DVD and SVCD. See the Player Hack section for info on how to get it working (all done by remote).

I would definitely recommend this player. It plays everything I've thrown at it.

[lets]

All JVC models sold in USA with numbers 30, 33, 40, 44, 50, 55 have build-in converter. This converter does only PAL->NTSC. Phillips 726, 727 has a converter PAL<->NTSC (both ways). There is no information in manual, salesmen don't know about this. I was in BestBuy, Sears, Video Only, Fry's Electronics with a PAL DVD, and it worked.

[yumagah]

I think all the latest DVD players using the "Apex" firmware (I think it's called 1369??) can successfully put out an undistorted NTSC signal from a PAL disk. Some older players could also put out an NTSC signal with the picture slightly stretched vertically. I have tested the Apex 1110, the Mintek 1600, the COBY 707 and the Liteon LWV-5001 and they all give an undistorted picture.

Speaking of the COBY 707, this cheapie semi-portable is really an oddball. Cheapo construction, it has trouble reading the very end of DVD+RW and audio cd's that exceed the standard time content (74 min, 2hrs). But other than that, it's a neat little region-free, "reads everything" gadget. Put all your mp3's onto one DVD-R and it becomes a "jukebox replacement" for $70. No wonder it sold out most places. But the cheap quality will probably shorten its life. No problem since I'll be expecting a player that supports DiVX in a year or less.