Region 0 PAL DVD - How can I convert to play in region 1 NTSC?

[JPowers]

There's an extremely rare DVD that I don't even think exists in NTSC format, which is available in region 0 PAL for sale on Ebay. I doubt they'll ever release this in the US. I've been looking for over a year. If I buy this DVD, is there a way to convert it?

[guns1inger]

Region 0 means playable in all regions. The only issue is format. There are plenty of posts and guides on this site for converting from PAL to NTSC. The simplest option is to buy a multi-format player.

[ZippyP.]

edit - What he said.

[victoriabears]

I am a rare tv /drama/film collecter, and can convert anything, I have found the ifoedit patch method works well, depends what your dvd player is, but what is it you are interested in on Ebay?
As the replier said, get a cheap chinese player from wal mart that is either region free or can be made such and is pal/ntsc playable. The philips 742 I know works well.

or send it to me and I'll convert it for you.

Terry

[JPowers]

Thanks for the suggestions, I appreciate it!

victoriabears, it's probably not considered rare to you, but at least I haven't been able to find it. The movie is called "The Stepfather."

I found this website that sells "REGION FREE, CODE FREE, MULTI ZONE, MULTI REGION" dvd players. Would you mind taking a look to see which of these players are the best?

http://www.220-electronics.com/dvd/dvdorig.htm

Thanks again!

[MOVIEGEEK]

I recommend a Toshiba,Denon or OPPO DVD player because they usually have the best video processors(Faroudja).Also make sure it says "built-in PAL to NTSC converter" because some simply remove the region code.

[FulciLives]

First off ... just so you don't get "ripped off" on eBay ... here are two well known and trusted USA based websites that cater to import DVD releases with a bent towards horror and cult movies:

http://www.xploitedcinema.com/

http://www.diabolikdvd.com/

Also there are the following two USA based websites that cater to import DVD releases with a bent towards Asian movies:

http://www.hkflix.com/

http://www.pokerindustries.com/

I just checked all 4 of these websites and only Xploited Cinema shows having a DVD of THE STEPFATHER in stock. It is a region free or region 0 PAL DVD so it might be the same one that is up on eBay. Here is a direct link to it on the Xploited Cinema website ---> CLICK HERE

As for converting it to NTSC format ...

You can buy a region free DVD player that does PAL to NTSC or you can do it on the computer. The computer method is a bit "tricky" and not for a newbie but it isn't exactly incredibly difficult either.

Here are some links on doing a computer conversion:

1). THE HOLY GRAIL? ... A new method of PAL to NTSC conversion!
2.) PAL to NTSC problem

I should point out that a computer monitor can display PAL and NTSC so you can always RIP it to your computer's HDD and watch it on the computer and since the DVD is region 0 you can even play it back on the computer's DVD drive without ripping it. I suggest the ripping part since it will strip things like region coding although in this case that is not an issue.

As for buying a region free DVD player that does PAL to NTSC ...

One of the websites I usually direct people to just happens to be 220-Electronics as they are reliable and tend to have very good prices. Hard to go wrong buying from them.

Probably your "best" yet "cheap" solution is to get a Pioneer DV-383 which is $109 + shipping. I don't have one but I like Pioneer DVD players in general and I have heard that this model works very well PLUS it is also capable of DivX and XviD playback which is a nice bonus.

There is also the Pioneer DV-588 model which has all the features of the DV-383 and then some but the price is $179 + shipping so if you are willing to spend that much then you might as well get ...

The Oppo Digital OPDV971H which is considered a better DVD player than the Pioneer DV-588 but has all the same features PLUS some for only $199 + shipping when bought direct from the OPPO DIGITAL website. In fact many people think this is one of the best DVD players you can buy these days at any price. Like the Pioneer models I mentioned it is region free and does excellent PAL to NTSC as well as DivX and XviD but perhaps even more importantly it is also an upconverting DVD player so if you have a HDTV capable display this is the way to go!

One last note ... a lot of people go with the Philips DVP 642 as it is a cheap and easy-to-find DVD player that does DivX and XviD and can be made region free with a simple hack. It does PAL to NTSC conversion but does it very poorly. In fact even regular DVD playback is poor and it is very finiky about what kind of DivX and XviD files it will play. On top of all that many people have had trouble with it not lasting long and breaking down way too soon after purchse. It is a DVD player that should be avoided.

Good Luck

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[JPowers]

I was reading a little bit about the Oppo the other day, but don't know anything about the history of the company, or how good customer service would be. That one site seems to recommend the Toshiba SD-830. I bought a Toshiba 6 head VCR for $500 right before DVD players came out. Two things happened to it (thankfully under warranty). One day it just wouldn't turn on, and after it was repaired, the display looks funny after I turn it off. Oh, and the remote stopped working. So, that kind of makes me curious about Toshiba's current quality. I love sound quality of my Denon receiver, even though it's totally obsolete, but it had to be exchanged once, and the replacement sent in for service. So, spending top dollar doesn't always equal better reliability. Does the Oppo come in black? All my electronics and A/V furniture are black, so that's slightly important to me. All of the players listed on the link I posted above are supposed to have PAL to NTSC converters.

FulciLives, you must be a psychic! I found the exact same Stepfather DVD for sale at Xploited Cinema that's being auctioned on Ebay! Someone had already bid on the auction, so I just ordered from them. I think it's the same company:

http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Stepfather-Widescreen-DVD-Terry-OQuinn-Horror_W0QQitemZ9115974...QQcmdZViewItem

Xploited and "tsimonelli" are both in Cleveland. Thanks for all the great links and information, by the way. I know what you mean about the scammers on Ebay. People sell bootlegs on there, and Ebay doesn't care because they make money. I always check out their negative/neutral feedback here:

http://www.toolhaus.org/cgi-bin/negs

It's a lot easier than sorting through pages of positive posts!

I think what I'll do is both buy a player in the sub $200 range, then learn how to convert.

[FulciLives]

I was reading a little bit about the Oppo the other day, but don't know anything about the history of the company, or how good customer service would be. That one site seems to recommend the Toshiba SD-830. I bought a Toshiba 6 head VCR for $500 right before DVD players came out. Two things happened to it (thankfully under warranty). One day it just wouldn't turn on, and after it was repaired, the display looks funny after I turn it off. Oh, and the remote stopped working. So, that kind of makes me curious about Toshiba's current quality. I love sound quality of my Denon receiver, even though it's totally obsolete, but it had to be exchanged once, and the replacement sent in for service. So, spending top dollar doesn't always equal better reliability. Does the Oppo come in black? All my electronics and A/V furniture are black, so that's slightly important to me. All of the players listed on the link I posted above are supposed to have PAL to NTSC converters.

FulciLives, you must be a psychic! I found the exact same Stepfather DVD for sale at Xploited Cinema that's being auctioned on Ebay! Someone had already bid on the auction, so I just ordered from them. I think it's the same company:

http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Stepfather-Widescreen-DVD-Terry-OQuinn-Horror_W0QQitemZ9115974...QQcmdZViewItem

Xploited and "tsimonelli" are both in Cleveland. Thanks for all the great links and information, by the way. I know what you mean about the scammers on Ebay. People sell bootlegs on there, and Ebay doesn't care because they make money. I always check out their negative/neutral feedback here:

http://www.toolhaus.org/cgi-bin/negs

It's a lot easier than sorting through pages of positive posts!

I think what I'll do is both buy a player in the sub $200 range, then learn how to convert.

Back in the day Toshiba made the best VHS VCR units in my opinion (at least the top-of-the-line 6 Head units) and I owned many of them as I used to do a lot of dubbing so my guess is that the one you had was just a lemon. It happens to the best of companies.

For a DVD player though I would personally go with Pioneer before Toshiba but bear in mind that none of these region free modified models will have USA warranties since they have been modified BUT the OPPO comes that way so maybe it does include a warranty? I don't know and for something that cheap I normally don't worry about it. I do know people think the OPPO is the best thing since sliced bread. I hope to get one myself but money is tight right now for me as I am currently living off of umemployment as I search for a new job.

Yes that eBay seller is the guy that owns Xploited Cinema. His real name is the same as his eBay name minus the first letter which is the first letter of his first name. I think it is Tony.

I've ordered from him many times and he is reliable. Last thing I got from him was the U.K. PAL DVD of PHANTASM that looks like one of the balls from the movie.



- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[victoriabears]

I take note of the opinion of a dvd PLAYER that does pal to ntsc conversion, any thoughts on a recorder, like the daytek that can take a pal input and record as ntsc or vice versa.

[JPowers]

The reason I bought the Toshiba is because it was considered the best on the market at the time, just as you said. It's still hooked up to my system and performs fine. The model is M781, if that rings a bell.

Thanks for the tip on USA warranties. I didn't realize that they were modified. If Oppo does everything, then that's what I'll probably get.

I love Phantasm! It was one of the first R rated movies I ever saw, and I'll never forget those balls, lol! Horror movies never scared me, they just made me laugh for some reason. I'll never forget when I was living in Holland (a country where pretty much anything goes), and not being allowed in to see 48 Hours because I was too young. So, my friend and I walked up the street and watched The Exorcist instead! I don't think I've ever laughed so hard. Phantasm might be next on my list. Another great flick I'd like to pick up is Evil Dead 2.

[FulciLives]

The reason I bought the Toshiba is because it was considered the best on the market at the time, just as you said. It's still hooked up to my system and performs fine. The model is M781, if that rings a bell.

Yes that was one of their best models actually

Thanks for the tip on USA warranties. I didn't realize that they were modified. If Oppo does everything, then that's what I'll probably get.

I don't know what kind of warranty if any that OPPO offers but I can't see Pioneer or Toshiba honoring a warranty on a modified DVD player.

I love Phantasm! It was one of the first R rated movies I ever saw, and I'll never forget those balls, lol! Horror movies never scared me, they just made me laugh for some reason. I'll never forget when I was living in Holland (a country where pretty much anything goes), and not being allowed in to see 48 Hours because I was too young. So, my friend and I walked up the street and watched The Exorcist instead! I don't think I've ever laughed so hard. Phantasm might be next on my list. Another great flick I'd like to pick up is Evil Dead 2.

Funny story about 48 Hours and The Exorcist.

In the USA only PHANTASM I and PHANTASM IV are on DVD so the UK boxset is the only way to get all four films on DVD and I've always liked the second movie as much if not more than the first so it was a no brainer ... especially with that packaging (although that was limited and may be gone but there is another release, same discs, but in a more conventual package).

EVIL DEAD 2 came out around fall of 2005 in the USA in a BOOK OF THE DEAD edition like the first movie it comes packaged in a BOOK that looks like the one from the movie. There is even a two pack out that has both movies in one package and each come in a BOOK like in the movie.

However I have heard that an even newer release is due for fall of 2006 or spring of 2007 that will include the first 2 movies in a package that looks like the cabin from the movie and this release will, for the first time on any DVD release, include the original short that Sam Raimi made on 8mm film to promote the making of the first film ... or so the rumor goes. That short film has been rather elusive to obtain other than as a very poor quality bootleg also there were issues about copyright regarding it as well.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[FulciLives]

I take note of the opinion of a dvd PLAYER that does pal to ntsc conversion, any thoughts on a recorder, like the daytek that can take a pal input and record as ntsc or vice versa.

Those really cheap DVD recorders like the cyberhome and daytek and also the TruTech are not considered to be of very good quality.

I've heard that the Cyberhome 1600 (maybe the other brands as well) can accept a PAL input and record it in NTSC but the quality of the recording is not that good yet I hear that the PAL to NTSC is actually done well and that it does work in pass-thru mode ... input a PAL signal and it will output NTSC then you can record the NTSC on a better machine.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[JPowers]

I'm glad you liked the story about 48 Hours and The Exorcist...It reminds me of the time when I was living in Germany and wasn't allowed to play video games, but drank beer in a bar! You had to be 18+ to play video games (at least in an arcade in the '80s). Beer is good...Video games are bad...Mmmkay?

Anyway, the only negative I found about the Oppo was the weakness of the tray. However, I can't see them giving me trouble over this if a problem occurs, considering their great feedback. They truly sound like a great "small" company that I wholeheartedly would love to support. I ordered one today! Although I don't have a state of the art system right now, eventually I will upgrade.

The version of Evil Dead 2 I saw had footage of how the movie was made in the "cabin." I think I'd prefer a DVD set that looks like "The Book Of The Dead."

[FulciLives]

I'm glad you liked the story about 48 Hours and The Exorcist...It reminds me of the time when I was living in Germany and wasn't allowed to play video games, but drank beer in a bar! You had to be 18+ to play video games (at least in an arcade in the '80s). Beer is good...Video games are bad...Mmmkay?

Funny how cultures around the world are so different. Reminds me how X rated stuff is considered taboo in Japan but ultra violence in movies is A-OK. Did you know in Japan that whenever (male or female) private parts are shown that they are covered up by a "digital" blob?

Anyway, the only negative I found about the Oppo was the weakness of the tray. However, I can't see them giving me trouble over this if a problem occurs, considering their great feedback. They truly sound like a great "small" company that I wholeheartedly would love to support. I ordered one today! Although I don't have a state of the art system right now, eventually I will upgrade.

Yes I can't wait to get one for myself. Let us know how it turns out for you

The version of Evil Dead 2 I saw had footage of how the movie was made in the "cabin." I think I'd prefer a DVD set that looks like "The Book Of The Dead."

Here are the current most recent USA DVD releases for EVIL DEAD 2

EVIL DEAD 2 - BOOK OF THE DEAD EDITION


EVIL DEAD 1 AND EVIL DEAD 2 - BOOK OF THE DEAD DOUBLE EDITION


You can also buy the EVIL DEAD 1 - BOOK OF THE DEAD EDITION as a separate item.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[JPowers]

Funny how cultures around the world are so different. Reminds me how X rated stuff is considered taboo in Japan but ultra violence in movies is A-OK. Did you know in Japan that whenever (male or female) private parts are shown that they are covered up by a "digital" blob?

I remember hearing something about this years ago. So, they make X rated movies with everything blocked out? Strange. This past Sunday I was watching this truck building show on Spike. There's a Canadian guy and a girl who do welding and custom work. Anyway, the girl wears her pants pretty low, she bent over, and they actually blurred out the smallest section of her butt that was showing. It made me wonder why that is considered unacceptable, but breast cleavage is ok.

Yes I can't wait to get one for myself. Let us know how it turns out for you

I will. It might be a while, since I'm in the process of moving.

The Book Of The Dead looks great. I might pick that up soon, thanks!

[jman98]

I just wanted to add that
http://www.yesasia.com
is a very reliable retailer of Asian DVDs, music and other cultural items. They only do Asian DVDs and some oddly chosen imports of American movies. Since it is German, they don't have _The Stepfather_.

I am impressed with that _Phantasm_ mirror ball. That's one of my all time favorite horror films. I thought _Phantasm 2_ was pretty good too, but I wouldn't really recommend 3 and 4.

I would advise that the original poster buy a DVD player that can convert. It would allow him in the future to watch other PAL DVDs without having to convert them first.

[FulciLives]

I just wanted to add that
http://www.yesasia.com
is a very reliable retailer of Asian DVDs, music and other cultural items. They only do Asian DVDs and some oddly chosen imports of American movies. Since it is German, they don't have _The Stepfather_.

I am impressed with that _Phantasm_ mirror ball. That's one of my all time favorite horror films. I thought _Phantasm 2_ was pretty good too, but I wouldn't really recommend 3 and 4.

I would advise that the original poster buy a DVD player that can convert. It would allow him in the future to watch other PAL DVDs without having to convert them first.

Ahhh yes I forgot about that company ... that's where I got the international MGM R3 NTSC DVD of ARMY OF DARKNESS (the only remastered version of the Director's Cut) when it first hit the scene. yesasia was the only place to buy it from at first.

Another good one is http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[astro4travel]

I have used IFO EDIT to convert my PAL format movie files to NTSC. The problem is, the interactive menus do not work. Is there a work around or a setting in IFO EDIT that I'm not setting? Other than that, it plays fine on my Pioneer DVR- 312. Any help would be highly appreciated. Thanks, Michael

[FulciLives]

I have used IFO EDIT to convert my PAL format movie files to NTSC. The problem is, the interactive menus do not work. Is there a work around or a setting in IFO EDIT that I'm not setting? Other than that, it plays fine on my Pioneer DVR- 312. Any help would be highly appreciated. Thanks, Michael

This is a known problem with the patch method and there is no fix as far as I know.

In fact I do not recommend the patch method as it is a "trick" and not a real conversion.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[astro4travel]

Thanks for the reply. This is good to know. So you don't recommend using the "patch" method?

[FulciLives]

Thanks for the reply. This is good to know. So you don't recommend using the "patch" method?

See my first post in this very thread as to what I recommend for PAL to NTSC conversion.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[JPowers]

Just to let you know, I received my Stepfather DVD from Xploited Cinema very fast. I recommend them. The Oppo arrived, but hasn't been taken out of the box yet. Moving sucks!

[FulciLives]

Just to let you know, I received my Stepfather DVD from Xploited Cinema very fast. I recommend them. The Oppo arrived, but hasn't been taken out of the box yet. Moving sucks!

Let us know how the OPPO works out for you once you get it hooked up and have had a chance to watch some stuff on it.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[astro4travel]

I have a cyberhome 300 DVD player. It can play PAL to NTSC DVDS. If I would do a pass through to record a PAL disc to NTSC ,would the navigation menus still remain intact? In other words, I would use the Cyberhome player to play the PAL DVD and the converted NTSC signal to my Pioneer DVR to be able to convert the new disc to NTSC.

[rbatty11]

I wish! But to answer your question, no, you cannot keep functioning menus in tact when recording PAL to NTSC. You can record movie only.. You would then re-author the new NTSC video and create your own/new menus (which, in theory, could mimick the original menus of the PAL DVD, but it would be one painstaking, long process!).

In other words, you would throw the PAL DVD into your Cyberhome and hit Play.. then hit record on your Pioneer.

[victoriabears]

Try the IFO edit method, it is really cool and if it works-whoa what a time saving,keeps the menus as well.

[astro4travel]

Does the IFO edit give you step by step instructions on converting PAL to NTSC? Thank you, Michael

[astro4travel]

Actually, what about DG Pulldown? What should I convert the frames to? That is to convert to NTSC?

[MOVIEGEEK]

Does the IFO edit give you step by step instructions on converting PAL to NTSC? Thank you, Michael

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=221928
This method isn't foolproof(eg. distorted picture and menus don't work) but should work on most players.