Where to buy a PAL VCR?

[InSaNiTy]

I've been looking to capture some old VHSs, so I've searched in the forums for models that will give good results when playing those VHSs. However, before placing a bid on a Panasonic AG-1980 it hit me, I need a PAL VCR, I can't just by any VCR from Ebay. I live in Europr and all my VHSs are PAL and were taped on a PAL VCR.

So my question is, where can I get a good PAL VCR (or a multisystem for the matter)? All of the VCRs I saw on Ebay were NTSC models so no luck there.

I will appreciate any help! =)

[Cole]

Living in PAL-land myself, www.ebay.co.uk would be the place I would start:

http://electronics.search.ebay.co.uk/vcr_VCRs_W0QQfromZR34QQsacatZ3318

You don't say which part of Europe that you come from; there may be a closer country that has pal vcrs available on their ebay.

[InSaNiTy]

Been watching Ebay UK but not luck there, but thanks for the advice, I'll keep watching.

I've been wondering is there a different between the PAL and the NTSC models? Should I look for the same models I've read people reccomend here or others models? Also are there any models that might be able to play PAL as well (in addtional to NTSC)? Maybe one of the newer models?

[NightFire]

Your looking for a PAL VCR correct? There are many on eBay UK and I would have bought one by now if the shipping wasn't so steep. Here is a good JVC S-VHS HR-S7500 on eBay but it doesn't state PAL or NTSC (usually EK after model for PAL). If you can find Cole's JVC HR-S7965EK then you best jump all over that (the Dalek avatar made me surf your site).

[guns1inger]

You need to be careful when you look at multi-format players. many players can play back PAL and NTSC tapes, however most convert the format to whatever is native to their local. You may find that you can play back your PAL tapes, but only get an NTSC signal out of the player. This often negates the exercise because what you really want is PAL in, PAL out.

[Cole]

Your looking for a PAL VCR correct? There are many on eBay UK and I would have bought one by now if the shipping wasn't so steep. Here is a good JVC S-VHS HR-S7500 on eBay but it doesn't state PAL or NTSC (usually EK after model for PAL). If you can find Cole's JVC HR-S7965EK then you best jump all over that (the Dalek avatar made me surf your site).

The 7965 states on the front of the VCR that it has NTSC playback so I would assume that the S7500 will also be able to play both formats too; but yes that is a valid point from guns1inger.

Review of the 7500 here. The model appears to have been released in 1998 and it is a PAL model:
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/reviews/hccreviews/VCRs/JVC/JVCHR-S7500.php
The link is from the ebay link.

I am actually tempted myself!

[vhs?]

BHPhoto sells them in the us.

[Dubber]

Many if not most European VCRs will play both - PAL and NTSC on PAL TV. Though, when playing NTSC tapes they produce quasi or pseudo PAL signal that can be interpreted by PAL TV and reproduced correctly. Do not confuse that for NTSC to PAL conversion.
You may be able to buy a VCR like this:
http://panasonic.co.uk/vcr/nv-hv61eb-s/index.htm
try it for whatever you need to do at home and if it doesn't do - return it and start looking for a converting VCR.

Goor luck!

[JohnnyMalaria]

I need a PAL VCR, I can't just by any VCR from Ebay. I live in Europr and all my VHSs are PAL and were taped on a PAL VCR.

Sorry if this is a dumb question (!) - can't you buy PAL VCRs in Europe anymore?? I mean, in your local consumer electronics shops?

Argos (UK) have a Nicam VCR for £60 - http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5333916.htm

[InSaNiTy]

Sorry if this is a dumb question (!) - can't you buy PAL VCRs in Europe anymore?? I mean, in your local consumer electronics shops?

Not dumb at all, I was surprised no one sells those as well. Not a single store I've asked (and I've asked a lot) sells VCRs anymore, there no point anymore now with the combine DVD/VCRs players.

You need to be careful when you look at multi-format players. many players can play back PAL and NTSC tapes, however most convert the format to whatever is native to their local. You may find that you can play back your PAL tapes, but only get an NTSC signal out of the player. This often negates the exercise because what you really want is PAL in, PAL out.

Well the ADVC shouldn't have a problem with NTSC output but I dunno about the TV (I guess if the VCR is good enough I won't care not watching the VHSs on TV) . Anyway thanks for pointing me out I almost bought the SR-V101U few days ago.

BHPhoto sells them in the us.

The prices are waayyy too high for me (they are all 4k$+) but thanks

Many if not most European VCRs will play both - PAL and NTSC on PAL TV. Though, when playing NTSC tapes they produce quasi or pseudo PAL signal that can be interpreted by PAL TV and reproduced correctly. Do not confuse that for NTSC to PAL conversion.
You may be able to buy a VCR like this:
http://panasonic.co.uk/vcr/nv-hv61eb-s/index.htm
try it for whatever you need to do at home and if it doesn't do - return it and start looking for a converting VCR.

Goor luck!

Thanks for the information. About the VCR sadly it has no TBC/DNR but thanks again.

Your looking for a PAL VCR correct? There are many on eBay UK and I would have bought one by now if the shipping wasn't so steep. Here is a good JVC S-VHS HR-S7500 on eBay but it doesn't state PAL or NTSC (usually EK after model for PAL). If you can find Cole's JVC HR-S7965EK then you best jump all over that (the Dalek avatar made me surf your site).

Yeh the shipping is very expensive but I have no choice- no one sells VCRs anymore. Anyway I've read the JVC HR 7500 has no TBC so no good but thanks!

I've also read that the Panasonic NV-FS200B, FS200B and HS-1000B are possibly the UK version of AG-1980, does anyone know if its true? (originally I was looking to buy either the Panasonic AG-1980 or the JVC SR-W5U so it really interests me)

I'll also look for the HR-S7965EK, (I assume it has TBC as Cole use one) but what kind of TBC does it have?

[vhs?]

You may have looked only at the pro section of Band H Photo.
They have a huge selection up to true pro.
I think the 101 was slightly cheaper at J and R but bh has better service and they sell high grade tape and film at better prices than most.
They used to have very fair pal prices.
They sell used too.

I hate the search engines on most commercial sites.
Some are totally useless.
BH is average.

[abbymat]

I just bought a PAL VCR.

[InSaNiTy]

I just bought a PAL VCR from UK, so these are the corresponding numbers:

Panasonic AG-1980 (NTSC) = NV-FS200 (PAL) - 1992 model

Panasonic NV-HS1000 (PAL) - 1994 model.......no corresponding NTSC models released

Panasonic NV-HS950 (PAL) - 1996 model.......no corresponding NTSC models released

all the above have full-frame TBC and fantastic picture playback.
you can find them listed almost daily on ebay.co.uk or ebay.de

note that UK is PAL I and Germany PAL B/G, so make sure you find out which you require.

eg. UK models will be named NV-FS200B and Germany NV-FS200EG


JVC models all have the same number whther they are PAL or NTSC but has the suffix "U" added for NTSC versions.

eg. JVC HR-S9800U - NTSC

I'm almost certian we use B/G here, is it important? (I'm mean of course it is, but to what extend?) becase it will be rather difficult for me to buy from Ebay.de because of the language barrier and I've heard most seller refuse to ship outside Gemany.

You may have looked only at the pro section of Band H Photo.
They have a huge selection up to true pro.
I think the 101 was slightly cheaper at J and R but bh has better service and they sell high grade tape and film at better prices than most.
They used to have very fair pal prices.
They sell used too.

I hate the search engines on most commercial sites.
Some are totally useless.
BH is average.

I'll look again =)

[Cole]

I'll also look for the HR-S7965EK, (I assume it has TBC as Cole use one) but what kind of TBC does it have?

I don't believe that it is a full frame TBC as I have to use a separate TBC in my set up to solve certain issues, but what makes the difference with the 7965 is the Digital Noise reduction to clear up the chroma noise.

[InSaNiTy]

I'll also look for the HR-S7965EK, (I assume it has TBC as Cole use one) but what kind of TBC does it have?

I don't believe that it is a full frame TBC as I have to use a separate TBC in my set up to solve certain issues, but what makes the difference with the 7965 is the Digital Noise reduction to clear up the chroma noise.

I don't really have the budget for a separate TBC, so I'll look for one with TBC. Anyway thanks a lot everybody I know what models I should look for now =)

But one thing is till not clear to me, whats the different between PAL I and PAL B/G? and btw does ebay.de offer some sort of translation services? German is not my strong side.

[vhs?]

I have seen translation offered.
A lot on phone.
Seems like yahoo or someone offers it.

[StuR]

Insanity,
quick advice to check to manuals online before you buy VCR off ebay as it may not have the TBC you want. Google 'panasonic manuals' and 'JVC manuals' or try sites - customer support ect.
JVC's can be very different depending on the letters after the No. like 7500, TBC US, not UK. Best to check.

[dphirschler]

I had luck with these when I was shopping (not too long ago):

http://www.bombayelectronics.com
http://palelectronics.com/vcrmain.htm

BTW, I bought a Sony SLV-ED949 VCR. It appealed to me because it outputs PAL without converting, and it has auto-switching power supply so I can connect it easily in the US. It also seemed well-built.

Good luck.


Darryl