ntsc to pal

Posted by qazwsx (173 days ago)

hi there, i had recently relocated frm Tokyo to HK and brought along 2 TVs with me. Finding that it doesn't quite work here. Does anybody hv any ideas how i can make them work? thanks!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

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Posted by axptguy38 (173 days ago)

You can buy a converter box but this is normally at the expense of quality. Don't know where though. If they're CRTs they are probably physically built for ntsc (resolution wise) so conversion is tricky. Flat panels are typically built to HD formats so pal or ntsc resolution differences are less of an issue for them once you have converted.

Since we might move back to the US some day, this was actually one of the things I checked when I bought our flat panel. It can handle both.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by qazwsx (172 days ago)

thanks! hv actually heard about and looked for the converter. could only find one shop that sells it but at a somewhat hefty price of 4000hkd!
might as well be buying a new tv altogether. a guy at some electrical shop suggested i buy a dvd player/recorder with progressive scanning. did so. did not work too. was hoping there could be some cheaper solution..my 2 TVs are still pretty new and it would be such a waste for it to become white elephants here!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by axptguy38 (171 days ago)

I know exactly how you feel. It's one of those annoying things about moving between countries. Voltage and format differences.

Anyway for your new TV ensure that
- Power supply can handle 110-120V AND 220-240V. There's an info panel next to the power cord socket on all appliances.
- Tuner can handle NTSC and PAL.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by luke_perry (171 days ago)

Any new TV can use both PAL and NTSC, specially LCD screens. Look at the options in the main menu of your machine.

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by axptguy38 (171 days ago)

"Any new TV can use both PAL and NTSC"

New CRTs can't necessarily. It's a physical limitation. But I don't know if they still make those. Flat panels are made to a higher resolution than both PAL and NTSC so they can handle both as long as the tuner can.

(I am based in Hong Kong)