Buying DVD's in US

[Tigger007]

I know you may have seen this question posted before - but I couldn't remember where I posted it!!!

If I buy DVD's/CD's etc in the State's - will they play OK in the UK? I know Video tapes don't work on our machines in the UK - are DVD's different?

 

[Shane]

Hiya Tigger007

As you have most certainly heard, there are different regions in witch CD's,Games,DVD's etc are recorded in. These are known as Region 1 (US) and Region 2 (Europe) and I beleive japan have another region.

CD's - CD's will work fine as they are "Region Free" meaning that they are playable on any system

DVD's - DVD's brought from USA are "Region 1" so they will not work on a standard european DVD player. Although alot of DVD players are now "Multi-Region" allowing any region to be played on them, and there no more expsensive than the standard ones. If you do not have one or do not want to buy one you can now buy special CD's that you can place in your DVD player before a "Region 1" DVD is played and will actually allow you to play it. Although, I dont have much information on this. Your best bet is to use a "Multi-Region" DVD player (Inless your using one)

 

[rpbert1]

A lot of DVD Players can be unlocked remotely, to allow you to play any region DVd, have a look on
www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk and see if your Player is on the list region
codes are
REgion 1 USA & Canada
" " 2 Western Europe, Japan & South Africa
" " 3 South & East Asia
" " 4 Australia, Central & South America
" " 5 Russia , Eastern Europe & Africa
" " 6 China

 

[Minniespal]

As long as you have a region free dvd player your dvds will work just fine.

 

[Cochise]

Not all TV's will play them in colour too. I have a Phillips 28in W/S set that isnt that old (5 years) that plays them in B&W. Generally if you have a newish Tv then there are no problems

 

[shellbell]

Shellbells DH here - Martyn..

Its all to do with video standards as well as multi-region.

In the UK and infact most of Europe we use the video standard PAL.

In the U.S they use the standard NTSC.

Video tapes from America actually do work in UK video players providing the player is compatible with NTSC. Most new players do.

For dvds the same applies. U.S dvds are NTSC standard and play on a different region setting (1).
Muti-region DVD players are ten a penny and can be found for £30 or less. They are well worth the investment.

However its ok in say getting a multi region dvd player and region 1 dvds but if the TV is not compatible with NTSC then you will not get a picture.

Most new TVs are NTSC compatible.

Basically make sure your setup isnt outdated and it will probably work.

When it comes to buying TVs/DVDs/VCRs 1 question to ask is...

Is it NTSC compatible


Hope this helps

Martyn