Can I use TV brought from US in HongKong?

Ask a silly question: can I use the US-bought TV, VCR, DVD Player, Coffee machine, bottle warmer etc in Hong Kong? I went to the RadioShack, a electrics store in US, and was told that I could NOT use US-bought TV and electronics in HongKong even with the adapter and transmitter because first of all the TV from US won't get the signals in HK; second of all the maxim wattage is 1600 watt but for only limited appliances. Anyone has the experiences? Should I sell everything in the US and buy all new in HongKong? Many thanks for your help!

Radio Shack employ's a bunch of morons.

All your appliacnes will work, but you will need a transformer, also called a converter. Do not buy one in the US, as they will be very expensive, buy them in asia.

You will need to see the Watt on your appliance, and make sure the transformer you buy is higher or equivalent. What I did, was bought a 1000 Watt transfomer, and use several appliances on it via a surge protector or power strip. Get a transformer that is a step up/step down, so that you can use any new appliances you buy in asia in the states.

With regards to your TV, the US uses NTSC, I beleive HK, uses PAL. Sorry Buddy, only with your VCR player and American VCR tapes. You will not be able to use your VCR player on a local TV, unless you have a multi-whatever VCR player. Your DVD player will only play DVD's from the US, as it will be set for only region 1. (which is what DVD's in the US are sold as). However, you might be able to find a way to make your DVD player region free (you will have to look it up on the internet). With regards to your American DVD's if you buy a new DVD player, buy one that is region free.


So, should you sell everything? I would store them in the states. Leave them at your folks house, and buy new TV, DVD, players in Asia. With regards to the smaller appliances, I would get on the internet and see how much that stuff costs in asia, and then decide if I want to keep them. The US is the CHEAPEST place, you will ever buy clothes, appliances, electronics, hell, everything! Stock up on blank DVD's, and blank CD's. (assuming you use rebates). Also if you need extra hard drive storage, buy it now, last year I bought a 160 hard drive for $50 at Fry's. Western Digital.


One last thing, only stuff that can only be used in the US is cheap in the US. Any appliance than can be used all over the world, is cheaper outside of the US.

And your question is not at all silly

If you are thinking of bringing stero equipment (receiver, tape, cd player) that will work. I have used our 110 volt stereo equipment overseas, through a heavy duty transformer, for many years - never had a problem (One of these days I will find and buy 110/220 switchable equipment, which does exist - somewhere!). My 110 volt printer and wireless hub are quite happy being fed through a transformer. The one area you may run into problems is in clocks and timers (coffee pot with a auto-start? Clock radio?). These will often run fast when you go form 110 to 220 volt systems. You can change the voltage with a transformer, but not the cycles. Cheap turntables also will have the same problem.


We bought a TV and VCR in the US (at a shop that specialized in overseas compatible equipment) that is multi-voltage, multi-system that works well everywhere (except in a country or two in South America if I remember correctly). A straight US tv has the NTSC-PAL incompatability barrier, which is a significant issue! If you are planning to bring a lot of NTSC videos, then the tv and video player might be useful - otherwise leave it. If you are going to be getting DVDs locally, you are better off bringing a computer with DVD than a TV/DVD/video combo. You may need to get software to override any DVD regional restrictions that your computer may have - easily done.


Storage costs add up quickly. Your tv/vcr/dvd probably won't be of much interest after a few years in EXPENSIVE storage, so keep that in mind. I don't know HK prices, but a multi-voltage, multi-zone DVD player is really cheap in Hanoi, and going back with us when the time comes to leave.

Many many thanks for your suggestions! It is very helpful in making my decisions since the movers are coming in the next couple of days...