I was told that most PAL (European, UK, etc) players will also play NTSC (usually US made) DVDs -- is this true?


Plexi

Yes....

However your DVD must be multiregion enabled to play commercial DVDs (downloaded Torrented DVDs will not be region coded and should play OK)

Most cheap DVD players are sold as multirecion but some need to be hacked.....normally using a code entered from the remote......Google "multiregion DVD hacks"



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2007-11-28 20:58 by GuessWho.

timbernardis Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was told that most PAL (European, UK, etc)
> players will also play NTSC (usually US made) DVDs
> -- is this true?
>
>
> Plexi

What catches a lot of people out is that they dutifully buy a "multi system" player (a VHS or DVD player that can play both PAL and NTSC format tapes or DVDs), but they overlook the fact that it is IMPERATIVE that the TV is also "multi system". If it isn't, then what you will usually find is that if the VHS or DVD source is say a movie in colour, you might end up with merely a "black and white" version on the TV, or perhaps the video element will play OK, but not the sound. So make sure BOTH player AND the TV are multi system.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-11-28 21:00 by paulywaul.

paulywaul Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> timbernardis Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I was told that most PAL (European, UK, etc)
> > players will also play NTSC (usually US made)
> DVDs
> > -- is this true?
> >
> >
> > Plexi
>
> What catches a lot of people out is that they
> dutifully buy a "multi system" player (a VHS or
> DVD player that can play both PAL and NTSC format
> tapes or DVDs), but they overlook the fact that it
> is IMPERATIVE that the TV is also "multi system".
> If it isn't, then what you will usually find is
> that if the VHS or DVD source is say a movie in
> colour, you might end up with merely a "black and
> white" version on the TV, or perhaps the video
> element will play OK, but not the sound. So make
> sure BOTH player AND the TV are multi system.


Actually, I´d say at least 90 % of the TV:s sold the last 15 years can handle NTSC, even if they don´t say so in the specs (not counting LCD:s or plasmas, just regular CRT:s).
I had a Philips I bought 1988, played NTSC videos without a problem, and it was labeled PAL, only. Next one I had did it also, and the one I have now, no problem, but it will be my last CRT, going for a 50`plasma if the Stones don´t tour next year...
But NTSC TV:s won´t play PAL, I think.

Vilhelm
Nordic Stones Vikings



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2007-11-28 22:22 by mickijaggeroo.

oops - already posted, don't mind me



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-11-28 22:30 by with sssoul.

GuessWho Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes....
>
> However your DVD must be multiregion enabled to
> play commercial DVDs (downloaded Torrented DVDs
> will not be region coded and should play OK)
>
> Most cheap DVD players are sold as multirecion but
> some need to be hacked.....normally using a code
> entered from the remote......Google "multiregion
> DVD hacks"


So, anything I shot on my NTSC tape on a videocamera and that I copied to a NTSC DVD will not be region coded and therefore will play on most European/UK players??

I do know that I sent a copy of The Biggest Bang to Germany over the summer and they could not play it on their DVD player, but only their computer.

"So, anything I shot on my NTSC tape on a videocamera and that I copied to a NTSC DVD will not be region coded and therefore will play on most European/UK players??"


I believe it will.

I have received home videos (on DVD) shot in Canada on NTSC and they play OK

In the UK at any rate!

timbernardis Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> GuessWho Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Yes....
> >
> > However your DVD must be multiregion enabled to
> > play commercial DVDs (downloaded Torrented DVDs
> > will not be region coded and should play OK)
> >
> > Most cheap DVD players are sold as multirecion
> but
> > some need to be hacked.....normally using a
> code
> > entered from the remote......Google
> "multiregion
> > DVD hacks"
>
>
> So, anything I shot on my NTSC tape on a
> videocamera and that I copied to a NTSC DVD will
> not be region coded and therefore will play on
> most European/UK players??
>
> I do know that I sent a copy of The Biggest Bang
> to Germany over the summer and they could not play
> it on their DVD player, but only their computer.


Bizarrely, it seems that the documentary DVD for Biggest Bang is multi-region but the three concert discs are not.

I got the New york Dolls DVD and it has a leaflet with a technical explanation of this, warning that this movie will play in black and white if the system is not set up correctly. It's a black and white movie !!

I can play various region dvds on my computer.

3DTeafoe Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I can play various region dvds on my computer.


Well, yes, that's pretty common, I can too.

But I am asking about if PAL machines can play an NTSC disc.

Here's a twist, though -- can you copy an NTSC disc into PAL format all on your computer (or on two computers hooked together) so long as one drive can record in PAL/region free format?

BTW, PAL and NTSC is one thing, the region encoding is another and I think they get used interchangeably -- can anyone explain this in a straightforward manner without getting too techy??


MISTERPLEXIGLASS

>> I think they get used interchangeably -- can anyone explain this <<

people who think the PAL/NTSC question = the regional-encoding question are confused.
the confusion is partly fuelled by the fact that region-1 disks also happen to be NTSC,
but region-free - aka "region 0" - disks are also either NTSC or PAL. it's simply a different question.

the regional encoding (when it's done) seems to be aimed at keeping releases out of markets
where there's supposed to be a later official release date (or where no release is anticipated).
in reality it probably merely serves to promote illegal copying and/or the hacking of dvd players
to remove the regional encoding crap (which is also technically illegal - at least where i live,
shops/service places won't do it for you.) (it's also worth noting that not all dvd players
are readily hackable - my main one isn't. i finally bought a multi-region player, but it *really* annoys me.)

to address your other questions:
1] as folks have been saying: most European equipment does indeed play both PAL and NTSC disks,
as long as the disks are either region-2 or region-free, or the player lacks the regional coding crap.
2] yes, there are programs that convert NTSC to PAL and vice versa, but unless it's done right,
the audio in the copy will be out of synch with the picture. i've got lots of dvd-r's with that problem
due to kindly people thinking it's simpler than it is to convert from one system to the other.

(and if i understand your immediate aim properly - to get someone in Germany a copy of the Biggest Bang
that will play on their equipment - the easiest way is probably to order a region-0 version for them.
here's one: [www.amazon.de]
here's another: [www.amazon.co.uk]
as noted above, horsing around with changing the system and/or hacking their dvd player doesn't always work.)



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 2008-01-17 07:21 by with sssoul.

as ever - wise - Ms. With Sssoul. Thanks!!

Very good, that does indeed help to clear up and clarify these muddled issues.

But my "immediate aim" is to make some copies of things I shot over the summer with a HD (mini) DV NTSC camera and get copies of some things on DVD to Europe as well as the US.

The German couple just ended up buying their own PAL version, though they did enjoy the one I sent them on the computer for perhaps 3 weeks before they got a PAL version, so it was worth it.

oh - i see. stuff you shot yourself as NTSC really should play okay on most European equipment,
since it won't have any regional-encoding crap.

The Pioneer DV-48AV player solved all of my problems.It's region free AND handles both NTSC and PAL along with many other features.It does pretty much everything (including SACD and DSD + DVD Audio discs over HDMI 1.2a) except for recording and the new HD DVD's and Blu Ray Discs.I've had no troubles with it at all.I have a PAL DVD release of the Stones's Budokan concert and I've played it incident free with three different U.S. NTSC TV's.I think the NTSC - PAL TV issue has more to do with broadcasts than DVD's.

I don't believe that the DV-48AV is sold in Europe.Instead,a nearly identical model called the DV-600AV is sold there,in Europe.

It's very easy to change most DVD players to region free... usually it can be done with the remote control in mere seconds... google "DVD Hacks" for details

>> It's very easy to change most DVD players to region free ...
usually it can be done with the remote control <<

speaking as the annoyed owner of a second dvd player just because of this very issue:
"most" and "usually" are real important words here.
if multi-regionality is important to someone who's shopping for a new dvd player,
they should make sure before they buy that an easy hack for the model exists.

mickijaggeroo Wrote:

> going for a 50`plasma if the Stones don´t tour next
> year...

In case this helps,I've done alot of research on TV's this year.The best plasma TV's are dominated by Pioneer and Panasonic.A Panasonic probably is a better deal because,they are almost always less costly than a Pioneer Elite.The third best manufacturer for plasmas is probably Hitachi followed by Marantz and Samsung (who focus more on LCD's).LG's have been known to break down.Zenith's are now made by LG.Keep in mind that the model #'s are very important as,for example,some Hitachi's are better than other Hitachi's.

If you end up waiting another year or two,Mitsubishi is working on a Laser TV which is supposed to have an even better picture than plasma,DLP,or LCD. [en.wikipedia.org]

Toshiba is working on OLED TV's but,they will start small (30") and it could be five years before you could buy an OLED TV in the 50" range.

Theif in the Night Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> mickijaggeroo Wrote:
>
>
> > going for a 50`plasma if the Stones don´t tour
> next
> > year...
>
> In case this helps,I've done alot of research
> on TV's this year.The best plasma TV's are
> dominated by Pioneer and Panasonic.A Panasonic
> probably is a better deal because,they are almost
> always less costly than a Pioneer Elite.The third
> best manufacturer for plasmas is probably Hitachi
> followed by Marantz and Samsung (who focus more on
> LCD's).LG's have been known to break down.Zenith's
> are now made by LG.Keep in mind that the model #'s
> are very important as,for example,some Hitachi's
> are better than other Hitachi's.
>
> If you end up waiting another year or
> two,Mitsubishi is working on a Laser TV which is
> supposed to have an even better picture than
> plasma,DLP,or LCD.
> [en.wikipedia.org]
>
> Toshiba is working on OLED TV's but,they will
> start small (30") and it could be five years
> before you could buy an OLED TV in the 50" range.


I was looking in to the Pioneer Kuros, but they are way expensive, so i´m looking at Panasonic right now, wich seems to be a good choice. What most people don´t know, is that there are only two (if I remember right) manufacturers of plasmascreens that supply all the brands. It´s the other technology in the TV:s that help make the difference between the brands.
But I´m still waiting for some lifesigns from the Stones before I spend my hardearned money...

Vilhelm
Nordic Stones Vikings

with sssoul Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> the regional encoding (when it's done) seems to be
> aimed at keeping releases out of markets
> where there's supposed to be a later official
> release date (or where no release is anticipated).
>
> in reality it probably merely serves to promote
> illegal copying and/or the hacking of dvd players
>
> to remove the regional encoding crap (which is
> also technically illegal - at least where i live,
>
> shops/service places won't do it for you.) (it's
> also worth noting that not all dvd players
> are readily hackable - my main one isn't. i
> finally bought a multi-region player, but it
> *really* annoys me.)


I know the original post is about PAL/NTSC, but just to add an information about regional encoding.
As far as i know, the regional encoding is only a commercial agreement between the DVD Association and the DVD Player Companies. There is nothing illegal for a DVD Player saler or for a DVD Player owner to hack it. The salers usually say that because they don't want to do it for different reasons (They don't know how to do it....or they also sale DVDs and don't want you to buy them on foreign websites for half the price .
The only risk is to loose the guarantee.

This is true.I'm in the same boat as you.I have a new 32 inch Sharp LCD that I hope to be able to move into a different room when I buy a big screen but,I have to wait to see if the Stones will tour the U.S. around the same time Shine A Light hits theaters. ( regarding the Stones Viking's post )



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-12-01 06:04 by Theif in the Night.

What's all this IF the Stones tour.

It's a done deal, so forget about your TV purchase for another year.


plexiglass television

timbernardis Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What's all this IF the Stones tour.
>
> It's a done deal, so forget about your TV purchase
> for another year.
>
>
> plexiglass television

Please enlighten us..as you seem to know...Nothing is carved in stone until the Stones say so....that´s a lession we all should have learned by now. But you seem to know more than the rest of us, so please, inform us...

Vilhelm
Nordic Stones Vikings

>> As far as i know, the regional encoding is only a commercial agreement between
the DVD Association and the DVD Player Companies. <<

okay, thanks for the correction.
vendors not hacking the equipment for customers because it would violate a business agreement
and trash the guarantee are both pretty strong reasons.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-12-01 01:25 by with sssoul.

mickijaggeroo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> timbernardis Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What's all this IF the Stones tour.
> >
> > It's a done deal, so forget about your TV
> purchase
> > for another year.
> >
> >
> > plexiglass television
>
> Please enlighten us..as you seem to know...Nothing
> is carved in stone until the Stones say
> so....that´s a lession we all should have learned
> by now. But you seem to know more than the rest of
> us, so please, inform us...


That's what I believe. You dont have to. If anything, Vilhelm, you should know better than I.


Plexiglass

OK, I need to come back to this as I have an urgent reason to do so.

Someone just sent me some Stones concert DVDs that were shot in PAL and unlike my show which I recorded on an NTSC videocamera (mini DV tapes) and copied to DVD and which play anywhere on either side of the pond, his disks won't play on my 2 year old NTSC DVD player.

So, need a solution. After re-reading everything on this thread, here are a set of proposed action steps:

1) try to hack my player so that it becomes multi-region/region-free (same thing?) using some kind of code acquired via a Google search.

2) Be sure my TV can play it too, that it too is "multi" or "free." My TV I inherited from my folks. I am guessing that it is about 10-15 years old and it is a Hitachi.

Is there a comparable list of multi system compatible TVs?

3) if I cannot hack the DVD player, buy a new one that is multi-region-free or that can easily be hacked to do so.

4) If TV won't play the disks, buy a new TV (or can they be "hacked" too)?

5) If all of the above fail, kill myself.


Is this a reasonable summary of logical steps?


Thanks.

plexiglass

you're confusing the regional-coding question with the system question.
to play both PAL and NTSC disks you need multi-system equipment (which may or may not be multi-regional as well).
try playing the disks in your computer.

so you are saying that even if I can hack my DVD player so it is region free, that it still may not play PAL disks? I did not get that understanding from other posts in this thread.

Exactly what is multi-system equipment -- simply a DVD player (and a TV?) that can play either NTSC or PAL? So what I need is a player and TV that can play both AND are region free?

Is such equipment expensive? Must it be bought or can my current set up be converted over?

yes, they play in my computer -- what am I to conclude from that?

Quote
timbernardis

Exactly what is multi-system equipment -- simply a DVD player (and a TV?) that can play either NTSC or PAL? So what I need is a player and TV that can play both AND are region free?

Yes.That is exactly the case except that you don't need a multi-system TV if you only want to watch both PAL and NTSC DVD's as long as you get a DVD player with a PAL/NTSC convertor built in.While you're at it,it makes sense to get one that is also region free or can easily be made region free.Here is a site where you can look up the region unlocking codes by model # of the DVD player : [www.videohelp.com] It does take them a little while to come up with the codes for brand new models but,if you look around the web,you'll find the code you're looking for.

Is such equipment expensive?

No.All you need in a DVD player can be found for between $170 and $230.You can spend more if you want but,it's not really neccessary.

You would be wise to narrow your choices down to these seven : Pioneer DV-48AV (United States),the Pioneer DV-600AV (European version),the Yamaha DVD-S2500 (IEEE 1394 for SACD,DVD Audio),the Denon DVD-1940CI,the Oppo DV-980H (slightly lower video quality than the Oppo DV-981HD but,much higher quality audio circuitry),or wait for the forthcoming Oppo DV-983HD.All of these DVD players are region free or can be made so with a simple and easy to find code,support PAL and NTSC,and have HDMI version 1.2a or higher (which is the minimum HDMI requirement to carry DSD) except for the Yamaha 2500 which has a lower version of HDMI but does have IEEE 1394 - aka I Link,Firewire - which is the only other connection that can carry DSD.Most of these can be found for around $200.

This new quote system is strange.Part of my response ended up in the quote but,all of the info is there.

You can give your existing equipment a chance by looking for your specific player's code (and then using trial and error) if you want to avoid buying a new player but,for $200 you would probably be better off with one of those seven players I mentioned.