VHS and DVD questions: NTSC to PAL

flasponge

I am coming from the US to NZ...and have some questions regarding my media collection
I understand that US DVD's do not work cuz they are NTSC...however can I bring my US VHS collection...or is that also bound to NTSC mode and can not be played on NZ VCRs?

Plus do you think it is worth getting a multiplayer mode (NTSC and PAL) playable DVD player? I have over 50 DVD's and would not like to lose that $1000.00 woth of movies....

Thanks All in advance

NickH · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 3:21 am Post subject:

Think you might have your technologies mixed up a bit here...

Video first: PAL is the NZ/European format, NTSC is US (broadly). Most video players purchased in Europe play both formats, but I doubt that a US-sourced one would play PAL formats. You'd probably have to buy a dual format machine one you're in NZ.

DVD - All formats are the same, but some DVD players are 'chipped' to stop them playing Region 1 DVDs (these are usually higher-value films from the US). So there should not be a problem playing your region 1 DVDs if you took your player with you. HOWEVER, whether you can get your DVD player to talk to a NZ TV is another matter. And your US TV won't work on NZ voltage I guess?

Looks like you take your DVDs and but a new player an TV once you get there. Just make sure the player plays Region 1 DVDs.

Phew! Bet you're sorry you asked.

Nick

NZCalling · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 3:34 am Post subject:

Hi flasponge,

Apart from the electronic confusion.....kiwi's drive on the other side of road....so do not take your car.... Laughing

Raeven · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 9:26 am Post subject:

Hi, flasponge,

Here is the definitive thread on US electronics in NZ: http://www.emigratenz.org/community/viewtopic.php?t=249&highlight=dvd

You will not regret giving this a good read-through!! Some of us have dog-eared the pages we've read it so often!!

Good luck and all the best, Rae

SoCal Gal · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 9:52 am Post subject: VHS and DVD questions

Had to chime in on this one, as my husband spent a great deal of time in an electronics store in Wellington, and my non-techie ears picked up on this part of it loud and clear.....which was, ALL DVD players now sold in NZ play DVDs from all over, they are multichannel, or whatever it's called, anyway your DVDs from Timbuktu are good on any machine purchased in NZ....and here is the good part, in a small town appliance store, we were with friends when they purchased a new DVD player for $199 NZ!! So THAT part is all good too. Hope this helps! cool

Tara Sage · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 1:12 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the info SoCal Gal, I didn't know that and we have a lot of DVD's on route!

We had figured that they would still play on our playstation, but now when we get our new DVD & TV it will all work Clapping

justin.g.s · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 5:20 pm Post subject:

$199.00 for a dvd player, I am sorry but where have you been. YOu can get a multy regiond dvd player at best buy

for $39.00 Clapping

I posted this elsewhere, we bought a dvd burner for $299 here, and have been recording," back up copies" Rolling Eyes

of all of our PERSONAL DVD's ahem.

So any ways we have nealy 90 movies/kids programs copied to dvd.

Even if you did not get a multy region dvd player you can buy a converter here the will translate pal to ntsc or ntsc to pal