NTSC/PAL format Region free DVD players?

[nathanaa]

I'm thinking of getting a DVD player that can play both NTSC and PAL discs. I'd like one that also can play any Region. So far I'm looking at JVC models xv-n510b or xv-n510s.

First, does anyone have any personal experience with these, and if so what are your opinions/thoughts about them? Or does anyone have any other recommendations?

Second, I'm wondering what would happen if I hooked the NTSC/PAL DVD player up to my DVD recorder through my TBC - would I be able to back up PAL discs in NTSC Region 0 format? Or would the video not process properly?

JVC xv-n510b or xv-n510s ->
AVT-8710 TBC ->
JVC DR-M10 DVD writer

What would happen?

Thanks for any help.

[guns1inger]

It depends on a number of things

1. Is the TBC a line TBC or full frame. If it isn't full frame it may not be able to remove the macrovision signal

2. Does the player convert the PAL to PAL 60 (to match ntsc signal rate) or convert to native NTSC ? What does your recorder expect ?

3. How long would it take you to try it out for yourself and tell us how you went ? You can't really damage anything.

[nathanaa]

"1. Is the TBC a line TBC or full frame. If it isn't full frame it may not be able to remove the macrovision signal."

It's apparently full frame, as it removes the macrovision signal. It is the AVT 8710, I really like it thus far.

"2. Does the player convert the PAL to PAL 60 (to match ntsc signal rate) or convert to native NTSC ? What does your recorder expect ?"

I don't know, and I'm not sure how I would tell. This is some of the info from the description:

# Plays Regions 1,2,3,4,5,6 Region discs
# Progressive Scan
# Plays PAL discs on any NTSC TV!! (Plays any NTSC or PAL DVD or VCD on any NTSC TV. Will not play NTSC discs on a PAL TV.)
# Hardware Chip Modification
# Plays REA and RCE Discs
# Video Disc Formats: DVD, DVD-R/RW, VCD, SVCD, JPEG picture disc
# Audio Disc Formats: CD, CD-R/RW, DVD-Audio, MP3, WMA
# Digital Direct Progressive Scan Output
# Adaptive Geometrical Chroma Mapping
# DigiPure Circuitry
# High-bit/high-sampling (12-bit/108MHz) video D/A converter
# 192kHz/ 24-bit audio D/A converter
# Versatile VFP (Video Fine Processor)

Is there info in this list that answers your question? I'm not sure.

"3. How long would it take you to try it out for yourself and tell us how you went ? You can't really damage anything."

True, the only down side is it would cost me about $2-250 to try. I'd have to purchase the deck and give it a shot. That's one reason I thought I'd ask if anyone here had experience with the JVCs or had recommendations for others.

It's hard to go wrong with JVC I guess, they did invent the tech after all. I can't find any negative reviews on either of the two players, but I also can't find any positive ones.
[/b]

[NiteLite]

I'm thinking of getting a DVD player that can play both NTSC and PAL discs. I'd like one that also can play any Region.

Here's where I'm looking at the moment.
www.220-electronics.com
They have cheaper and also have toll free support. The $99 deal looks good.
Good luck.

[nathanaa]

Thanks for the heads up, I'll check that out. Anyone have any other thoughts on if the PAL->NTSC recording/backup would work properly or not (and by properly I mean the end disc would be viewable normally on any NTSC DVD player/drive/TV).

[Noahtuck]

Second, I'm wondering what would happen if I hooked the NTSC/PAL DVD player up to my DVD recorder through my TBC - would I be able to back up PAL discs in NTSC Region 0 format? Or would the video not process properly?

I don't know about your TBC because i have never used one but i have hooked my region free NTSC/PAL dvd player directly into my stand alone dvd recorder & copied my pal dvd's to dvd-ram, transfered them to my pc, made animated/motion menus & burnt them back to dvd-r to play in my dvd players that are not ntsc/pal & they worked great!!!!!

[handyguy]

Another topic stated a Cyberhome from walmart for $30 plays both. ALso check
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers

[nathanaa]

Hmmm, I hadn't thought about that, my JVC M10 can record DVD-RAM (according to the specs at least, haven't ever tried it myself). That would certainly be an easy way to do it if it would work for me. However, I don't have a drive in either of my computers that can *read* DVD-RAM, so this idea is out.

Does anyone know if running through the TBC would be a *bad* idea in this sort of situation?

Hey - if the PAL disc was a single layer, I could still record on the DVD writer though using a DVD-RW and then author it on the computer; least, I think that should work. I'll have to find a PAL disc around somewhere to play with.