Buying DVDs from America

[Debs Hill]

Sorry if this is a really silly question but will any DVDs that I buy in Orlando be compatible with our machines...or do you have to buy a special version like a PAL video?!

 

[squitty]

Hi

Unless you have a all region dvd player then they will not play. UK dvd region is 2 and USA dvd's are 1
HTH's

 

[Olaf]

Originally posted by squitty
Hi

Unless you have a all region dvd player then they will not play. UK dvd region is 2 and USA dvd's are 1
HTH's

Now why do they do that? Is it because of the lines on the TV screens?

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Region coding (ie, Regions 0-6) and video format (eg NTSC or PAL) are completely seperate things. The major movie studios insisted on a way to dictate how movies were released on DVD, so they could stagger release dates across different regions, etc. This led to the regional coding system, although most DVD players can be easily modified to circumvent this. If you buy DVDs in the US you need to ensure that (a) your DVD player is multi-region, and (b) your TV set can display NTSC or PAL-60 (fake PAL) signals. A third issue is whether your multi-region player can handle RCE discs.

Whenever I've looked in shops in Orlando I've always thought that the DVDs were over-priced, so I can't see any point in buying DVDs there, especially if you are not certain whether they wil be compatible.

Regards

Rob

 

[Mad4WDW]

Completely agree with Rob.

Some of the DVDs there are pretty much the same price when you convert the currency, but there are a few bargains to be had. It is good however, if one is released in the US while you are over there and its a while before its out here <grin>

I don't have to worry about the regions and coding. I have a regionless dvd drive in my pc and an ntsc compat tv. I use my graphics card which has a tv out, and plug s-video and audio leads from the pc to the vcr to watch them

paul

 

[neilybealy]

i buy my region 1 dvds from http://www.playserver4.com/play247.asp?page=front&r=R1

they do not charge postage either and are really cheap

 

[SimonV]

I also recommend www.cd-wow.com (no p/p there either). Look between the two sites and you will great some great prices on DVDs/CDs.

 

[neilybealy]

region 1 dvd's from usa will also be encoded using the NTSC format and not PAL (which we use in the UK)

this will also cause a problem unless your TV can decode NTSC (most new TVs these days can do)

it's another thing you need to check though before you buy region 1 dvd's

neil

 

[DisneyDes]

Re: NTSC problem, I've started buying my DVD's from Australia as they also use PAL and they're prices at the moment are even better than US. (Cd-wow do some of these and I've pre-order Monsters Inc from Devoted (not out there until end of this month but at approx £12.50 I think I'll wait))

Des

 

[kazzie]

I know you can get ordinary DVD players and get them chipped to play US DVD's,but I wouldn't know how to get this done.

So,can anyone reccomend a multi-region DVD player please? It would be much appreciated

 

[neilybealy]

Originally posted by kazzie
I know you can get ordinary DVD players and get them chipped to play US DVD's,but I wouldn't know how to get this done.

So,can anyone reccomend a multi-region DVD player please? It would be much appreciated

i bought my bro a pioneer slimline multi region dvd player for his birthday last month for £129.99 from http://www.hifibitz.co.uk/Warehouse/details.asp?ProductID=PIODV350SV

and they do free delivery !!

 

[squitty]

Hi Karen

I bought 2 of mine from Richer Sounds Which I went to th shop to pick up...

The other one I bought from Techtronics I know there was someone who was not very happy with these but I had no problems with them.

 

[jahsteve]

If you have a Digital Camera,May I suggest a Sampo DVE631CF.

It is th eonly dvd that has a built in Flash card reader-so you can insert your memory card full of your favourite disney holiday snaps and it will display them on your Tv no need for converting 'em onto your pc.

Multi region playback

Plays all RCE discs

Mp3 playback

It is also VCR Friendly-backup your dvds to video.

DVDr playback..Transfer thousands of your fave photos to dvdr and play them back on the DVE631CF.

Or transfer thousands of mp3's to dvdr disc and have access to hours and hours worth of tunes.

I highly recommend this player- You will need a stepdown transformer for use in the UK which are easily available from Maplins.

Price is now at $149
95 pounds UK
I ordered mine from Amazon..I know they are doing a cash back rebate-good until september the 21st.

Find out more about this awesome player here:
http://www.buy.com/retail/electronics/product.asp?sku=90050951&loc=2106

 

[kazzie]

Thanks a bunch for your advice y'all

I''l have a look at the sites tomorrow when I'm not so tired

 

[Goofyish]

Reply removed as it seemd to have misconstrued. Sorry if it caused anyone any upset.

 

[kazzie]

Hi,

Thanks for the tips on DVD's.

I'm about to order the Pioneer slimline DVD player but first I wanted to ask......does it plug simply in the back of the TV or is there complicated installing stuff?

When I hear from someone less dense than me I'll order it

 

[kazzie]

 

[neilybealy]

Originally posted by kazzie
Hi,

Thanks for the tips on DVD's.

I'm about to order the Pioneer slimline DVD player but first I wanted to ask......does it plug simply in the back of the TV or is there complicated installing stuff?

When I hear from someone less dense than me I'll order it

the easiest option is to use a scart lead to connect it to the back of the TV

 

[neilybealy]

you need to make sure your TV can playback NTSC via the scart first Kazzie

my bro cannot watch reg 1 dvds because his TV , although it has a scart lead, cannot decode NTSC

it'll say in the instruction manual if it does

 

[jahsteve]

Err why would you want to 'backup' a DVD onto Video?

Errrrr..Ever thought of this..Not everyone has dvd players..ERRRRR I back up dvd's to tape for my mother who hasn't got a dvd player.

Most digital cameras will output direct to a TV anyway.

ERRRR not all tv's have digital ouputs..

Why do you think the company included the Compact flash reader in the first place.


Steve