Importing European VCR from Europe.

[digicube]

I'm thinking of importing a VCR from Europe since it'll be cheaper than getting those multi-system VCRs. I'm unfamiliar with the connections. What kind of adapters do I need? I read a coax to rca adaptor is needed. Do I also need to buy a power transformer or is an plug adapter sufficient?

[jagabo]

Use SCART to S-video if you can.

[manono]

Buy an S-VHS VCR. Then change the plug to a US one and you're good to go. I have two I bought from eBay in the UK. Watch out, though, as the shipping is a killer. Maybe it's more to Hawaii than to where you live, though. And mine are probably heavier than the average VCR.

Do I also need to buy a power transformer or is an plug adapter sufficient?

I just cut the wires and put on US 3-prong plugs I got from Loews. I didn't even know there was an adapter for this. No transformer needed

[digicube]

This power converter will work?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-110V-to-220V-STEP-Up-Down-VOLTAGE-CONVERTER-100W-Watt-TRAN...-/301729430585

[digicube]

Buy an S-VHS VCR. Then change the plug to a US one and you're good to go. I have two I bought from eBay in the UK. Watch out, though, as the shipping is a killer. Maybe it's more to Hawaii than to where you live, though. And mine are probably heavier than the average VCR.

SVHS VCRs are too expensive since they are rare, I'll go for the regular $20 VCRs. With the Ebay Global Shipping Program, international shipping is the same as domestic shipping. I know. I'm shocked too.

[manono]

International shipping the same? I paid a hundred something for each. That was several years ago, and the VCRs were a good deal more than that and heavier than the usual cheapo VCR. I'll do that then, the next time I make a major purchase overseas. Thanks for the heads up.

Like I said, I just changed the plug and plugged it into the socket. Worked like a charm.

[digicube]

Yeah shipping range from $30-$50 from the UK which is the same as some domestic shipping.

[orsetto]

If you want to use the eBay Global Shipping Program, you need to search specifically for sellers who agreed to it. Most small individual sellers who aren't full time int'l eBay vendors absolutely loathe that Global program: eBay offers zero backup to the seller if the package is lost or stolen en route, any rando can claim they never received the pkg and then seller has to swallow the loss with no recourse. This isn't always great for the buyer, either: your back is covered for any $ loss, but if you legit want the item and eBay screws up the shipment, you're not getting that item. Its yet another misguided eBay scheme to compete with Amazon (badly). Take advantage if the seller offers, just be aware it isn't universal to all sellers and eBay's execution is... variable.

If you don't need a PAL vcr immediately, be patient and search USA for a couple weeks. Loads of cheap Sony PAL/SECAM models were sold in the '90s by places like J&R, B&H, Worldwide Electronics and 220 Electronics. Cities like New York, LA, and Las Vegas were chockablock with foreign transients who bought those and then left them behind when they returned home a year or two later. Many of them will even play NTSC, they just lack the pricey conversion feature that played PAL on a NTSC CRT television (they only play PAL as PAL). The "Middle Eastern" versions sold in USA/Canada usually had standard RCA connections instead of the ridiculous EU-mandated SCART nonsense (which can save you a tidy sum on SCART>RCA adapter cables).

[digicube]

(which can save you a tidy sum on SCART>RCA adapter cables).

$1 on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/122307341302

[orsetto]

(which can save you a tidy sum on SCART>RCA adapter cables).

$1 on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/122307341302

Uh-huh. Good luck with that, in terms of delivery time and having them actually function worth a sh*t. Adapting SCART to standard connections without degradation and noise takes a bit of effort, the better adapters cost more than 99 cents. For Pete's sake, you're the guy who complained about RF static picked up by his movie projector: if you're sensitive to factors like that, you should be actively avoiding any gear that involves potentially noisy adapting.

Go look at threads by North Americans who frantically bought imported EU DVD/HDD recorders when their American versions were discontinued, and note how much aggravation they post regarding the godforsaken SCART idiocy. SCART is a drawback that can be kluged if necessary, but is better avoided altogether when possible. In this case, you can avoid it easily by simply not buying a SCART-based PAL VCR. Even if you stick with your idea of importing a PAL vcr instead of looking for one thats already here, and you're gonna spend $60-$70, choose one with standard connectors (plenty were made pre-SCART, or include both types of connector). Why adapt if you aren't forced to?

[digicube]

I'll report back on my $1 risk venture.

I don't have to use scart to rca adapter. I can also use coaxial to rca adapter. Most European VCR also has a coaxial video out like the attached pic. Though I'm not sure if video quality is compromised which I doubted since broadcast video is transmitted though it.

[digicube]

deleted.

[hech54]

Use SCART to S-video if you can.

SCART to SVHS adapters/cables are only viewed as an advantage if machine is wired to accommodate it. If the machine is not fully wired/pinned(pins inside the SCART connection), you can end up with no picture at all.
An SVHS signal is not guaranteed, that's why most cheap adapters have both SVHS and composite connections.

[KarMa]

Buy an S-VHS VCR. Then change the plug to a US one and you're good to go. I have two I bought from eBay in the UK. Watch out, though, as the shipping is a killer. Maybe it's more to Hawaii than to where you live, though. And mine are probably heavier than the average VCR.

Do I also need to buy a power transformer or is an plug adapter sufficient?

I just cut the wires and put on US 3-prong plugs I got from Loews. I didn't even know there was an adapter for this. No transformer needed

That's pretty interesting considering the UK uses 50hz ~240V power distribution to the home, compared to 60hz ~120V in the US. I doubt your simple method of switching the plugs works on all VCRs.

[jagabo]

Use SCART to S-video if you can.

SCART to SVHS adapters/cables are only viewed as an advantage if machine is wired to accommodate it.

Which is why I said "if you can". If one is going to buy a SCART composite adapter one should get one with s-video too. It doesn't cost significantly more.

[hech54]

Use SCART to S-video if you can.

SCART to SVHS adapters/cables are only viewed as an advantage if machine is wired to accommodate it.

Which is why I said "if you can". If one is going to buy a SCART composite adapter one should get one with s-video too. It doesn't cost significantly more.

It's still not going to help if the VCR itself's SCART connection isn't wired to output S-Video. Many of the cheapo VCRs are not completely wired (for video). It's very possible that you will not get an S-Video signal no matter how much you pay for an adapter/cable simply because the VCR's SCART connection lacks the wiring.

[jagabo]

Use SCART to S-video if you can.

SCART to SVHS adapters/cables are only viewed as an advantage if machine is wired to accommodate it.

Which is why I said "if you can". If one is going to buy a SCART composite adapter one should get one with s-video too. It doesn't cost significantly more.

It's still not going to help if the VCR itself's SCART connection isn't wired to output S-Video.

Again, which is why I said "if you can". If he gets a SCART adapter with s-video and it works, great. If it doesn't work he can fall back on the RCA composite connector.

[manono]

That's pretty interesting considering the UK uses 50hz ~240V power distribution to the home, compared to 60hz ~120V in the US. I doubt your simple method of switching the plugs works on all VCRs.

While it's true I've only tested on two Panasonics from Britain, I learned of the trick from long time member victoriabears who used many more and different VCRs and other electronic gear over a long period of time. For example, here he says:

I used to own all this gear and everything I bought from the UK plays fine on 110 volts, and the UK Panasonic combos, are menu switachable from pal to ntsc but they do not convert pal vhs to view on ntsc I am pretty sure. If your tapes are copy protected, another hurdle to oversome needing one of these:-

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/332124-How-to-watch-PAL-VHS-on-NTSC-tv?p=2058749#post2058749

[_Al_]

I use electronic devices across PAL and NTSC country and power source label or at the back of a device, most of the time, it says 100/240V or 110/220V accompanying with 50/60Hz , I do not remember actually device that it did not have that,
so I just change very ends, what you actually plug into power outlet, they can differ, even within Europe, Britain vs. Europe, did not investigate more, point is you get particular end with no problem in country you are actually in, so it does not have to be frequency/Voltage changer, just a adapter for the end of device cord

if it is used permanently it is not a problem to make a new end yourself if knowing basic electric stuff, watching for ground if there is etc., or give it to a known electrician, it is pretty fast

[dellsam34]

Be careful of power requirement, Like _Al_ mentioned if it doesn't say 110-240V 50/60Hz you will need a step down transformer or you will blow the internal power transformer, Don't listen to some dumb advises in this thread.

[dellsam34]

This power converter will work?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-110V-to-220V-STEP-Up-Down-VOLTAGE-CONVERTER-100W-Watt-TRAN...-/301729430585

No it will not, In the US you need a step down transformer not a step up.

[betwixt]

Clarification needed:

Internally, ALL VCRs, wherever in the World they are to work use DC. The only issue is whether the power supply inside the VCR can accept the local voltages. Almost all machines use Switch Mode Power Supplies (SMPS) which do not use a line transformer (which might make a difference between 50Hz and 60Hz) and can accept a very wide range of line voltage.

If it says it will work on 110V or it has a switch to select 110V it will work 'out of the box', just change the line plug to suit your local socket size. If it won't work on 110V and really needs 220V (rare) you need a "step UP" transformer to convert 110V to 220V. For a VCR like that you probably need one rated at about 50VA.

The video connections are the same but most EU machines use 21-pin SCART sockets. They have the video and audio input, output and some extra control signals on a single connector instead of several RCA ones. The signal levels and polarities are the same so all you need is an adapter or a blank plug to fit your own wires to.

You may still have problems with tape compatibility and video standards. Many EU machines will play back NTSC recordings but remodulate the color signals to the EU subcarrier frequency so composite video out may appear in monochrome on your TV. The RCA/SCART signals should be OK though.

[digicube]

No it will not, In the US you need a step down transformer not a step up.

I thought to convert 110v to 220v requires a step up converter. BW, the device I mentioned is both a step up and step down converter.

[aedipuss]

No it will not, In the US you need a step down transformer not a step up.

I thought to convert 110v to 220v requires a step up converter. BW, the device I mentioned is both a step up and step down converter.

it doesn't claim to change the frequency only the voltage. so what you would have is 220v 60htz not the required 220v 50htz to make vcr work properly.

[digicube]

it doesn't claim to change the frequency only the voltage. so what you would have is 220v 60htz not the required 220v 50htz to make vcr work properly.

Does frequency matter for modern electronics? So do I need a step up or step down converter?

[hech54]

It doesn't matter for a computer printer but it MAY matter for a VCR or other video equipment.

[digicube]

It doesn't matter for a computer printer but it MAY matter for a VCR or other video equipment.

So do I need a step up or step down converter to use a European VCR in the US?

[hech54]

It doesn't matter for a computer printer but it MAY matter for a VCR or other video equipment.

So do I need a step up or step down converter to use a European VCR in the US?

I've said it before and I'll say it again....PAL (especially VHS) in the U.S. is a hole that you pour time, money and tears into.

[digicube]

I've said it before and I'll say it again....PAL (especially VHS) in the U.S. is a hole that you pour time, money and tears into.

Huh? My question was do I need a step up or step down converter to use a 220v European VCR in the US?

[Pinto007]

Many of the cheapo VCRs are not completely wired (for video).

Which VHS VCRs are wired to output s-video?