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Welcome to our frequently asked questions (FAQs) page. Here you will find most answers to your multi-system, voltage and region free questions. Like what size transformer you need? Why to buy that model? What digital tuners do and more. So you should find allot of useful information here. Please e-mail if you still have any concerns or doubts about the product that you are purchasing. Or stop by our store for an in store demo. Also, feel free to e-mail us questions that you feel should be answered here.
General FAQs
DVD FAQs
Video FAQs
Voltage Transformer FAQs
What you need to use a NTSC TV in a PAL country or a PAL TV in a NTSC country.
To use a NTSC (American TV) in a PAL country you need two things: A local TV broadcast tuner and a video converter. The local TV tuner must be able to receive the specific PAL or SECAM broadcasting in the country. Basically it is needed to receive local TV channels. Most multi-system VCRs have a PAL tuner or you can buy a cable box or satellite dish in the PAL country you are going to. The VCR or tuner will receive and output the local TV or cable channels. The Video converter will then take this PAL signal and convert it to NTSC for viewing on your existing American TV set. The key to this process is to buy an excellent quality video converter like the CMD-1500. The CMD-1500 has RCA and S-Video inputs and outputs.
If you have a HDTV LCD or Plasma then consider buying one of our HD High Definition Video Converters. We have now introduced fully digital video converter models with HDMI output like our CMD-HDX5, CMD-HDX6 and CMD-HDX78. These models convert PAL (up to 1080p) HDTV to NTSC (up to 1080p) HDTV. These models will take RCA input, HDMI input and Component input and change to HDMI output up to full HD 1080p! The best feature of these models is that they have New Digital technology which provides direct conversion without any signal loss. The input and output will be the same without any degradation after the conversion. Using the high definition quality conversion of these HDTV you can convert PAL HDTV signals to NTSC HDTV for viewing on your existing NTSC HDTV. Eliminating the need to buy a new multi-system TV set. Local PAL HDTV tuner like a Cable Box or Satellite Receiver is required to get HD signals.
Our PAL NTSC video converters are so good that you will not get a better PAL NTSC video converter model even if you spend 3 times the price! Our guarantee is that if you find a model that gives you better conversion for even 3 times the price we will take our video converter back and even arrange for return shipping (within the USA). So if you buy any other model you won't like the conversion quality! We can ship our models world wide also!
To use a PAL/SECAM (Euro/Asian TV) in a NTSC country you need the same equipment. Call or email for specific models and recommendations.
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This paragraph will help you understand the key points in playing PAL tapes and converting between PAL and NTSC. To play PAL/SECAM tapes you need a multi-system VCR to play the PAL tape. You also need a video converter OR multi-system TV to work with the multi-system VCR. With both units you can play any type of tape; PAL, SECAM or NTSC. If you have French SECAM tapes you will need to choose a VCR that has French SECAM playback like the Sharp VC-AA370. You may view a full selection of Multi-System TVs and Multi-System VCRs on our Website.
The best solution is to buy a Multi-System VCR and a high quality Video Converter. Read more about PAL video converters in the explanation above also. This way you can use your existing TV. It is the perfect solution for customers that already have a nice NTSC TV set or customers that do not want to buy a new Multi-System TV. The Multi-System VCR will play the PAL/SECAM tape which also outputs a PAL/SECAM signal. The video converter will then convert the PAL/SECAM signal coming from the VCR to NTSC so you can view it on your existing NTSC TV. This type of combination will let you view the PAL/SECAM tape on a normal American NTSC TV set. Another benefit is that you can make NTSC recordings of your PAL tapes. So not only can you watch the PAL/SECAM tapes but you can also convert tapes from one system to another. This will enable you to pass tapes to and from friends and family abroad. You can also transfer NTSC tapes to PAL system. The key to video conversion is the Video Converter. The better the video converter the better the conversion quality is. We do carry a large selection of Video Converters on our website. The CMD-1500 is an excellent model sold on our site. We also recommend you look at one of our excellent VCR/CONVERTER combos which include this top-notch video converter and a multi-system VCR. They start at $349 for a multi-system VCR with a professional CMD-1500 converter. To look at the features, pictures and exact pricing for all these models go to the following URL: http://www.220depot.com/c-10-Multi-System-VCRs.aspx
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This paragraph will help you understand what TV digital and analog tuners do and what they are used for. All Multi-System TV's and most VCR's have built-in analog tuners. A tuner enables a TV, VCR and to receive local TV (off the air from your roof antenna or rabbit ears) stations. Or cable TV, that is, if the VCR is equipped with a CATV ready tuner. For example, a PAL BG tuner will allow the TV or VCR to tune PAL BG TV stations in countries that broadcast in PAL BG, i.e. Sweden, Iceland, Germany, UK, Australia, India and more. A NTSC M tuner will allow reception of cable or regular broadcasting in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Check your country's broadcasting system here. The same rule applies for all NTSC, PAL and SECAM countries. We mention what type of tuner each TV, VCR and DVD recorder on our site is equipped with, within its description. A tuner is no way connected in the process of converting video systems or playing tapes from different countries. A common misunderstanding is that a NTSC tuner will allow you to play a PAL tape on an NTSC TV. That is not true! To play PAL tapes on a NTSC you need to read this explanation.
Digital Tuners:
A TV with a built-in Digital TV tuner allows it receive digital broadcasts over the air. Over the air means reception through your roof antenna or rabbit ears. A TV with an ATSC tuner allows for it to receive Digital TV broadcasting reception in the USA. A TV with a DVB-T tuner allows for it to receive Digital TV broadcasting reception in Europe and Asia (in specific countries where digital broadcasting is available). For the very few channels are broadcast over the air it is not a very important feature. That is why no multi-system TV at this time has a digital ATSC TV tuner. Currently only a few Hitachi multi-system TV models have a DVB-T tuner. No other brands have this feature.
We also sell DTV receivers. For TVs with analog TV tuners we sell a HD receiver for $89.99. This digital TV receiver box will take the off the air digital broadcasts and convert them to HDMI output to watch on your HDTV TV. That will give you the best quality also. Please read our recommendations and thoughts below also.
Our thoughts on digital TV tuners:
A digital TV works best with digital signals. Using an analog signal with a digital TV will give you very poor video on your digital TV. The best digital signal is provided through an HDMI (High Definition Media Interface) connection from a digital source like DVD, Digital Cable or for the best video quality use Digital Satellite service or Blu Ray. So, if you have one of these digital sources a digital TV tuner is not required at all. So all the hype about over the air broadcasting going all digital by February 2009 is not important at all based on our knowledge.
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What is Macrovision and what are Copy Enhancers?
Copy Enhancers stabilize video signals for perfect copies. Normally, if you try to copy a video that has copy protection your VCR or DVD recorder will not allow the recording process to start. You will get an error similar to "This type of signal cannot be copied!" or "Copy right protected!" or " Cannot copy!", etc. We sell copy enhancers which removes all types of copy guards. They are shown on our site at: http://www.220depot.com/s-4-Copy-Enhancers.aspx?PageNum=0. You can use them to copy from your cable box, satellite TV, HBO, CineMax, DVD player to DVD recorder, VHS to DVD, DVD to VHS, basically anything to anything!
How they work:
Connection is simple. Just connect the copy enhancer, like the DP-5000, between your source (like VCR, DVD player, cable box, satellite receiver) and recorder (like DVD recorder, Hard drive, VCR, mini-DV recorder, 8mm Recorder, etc...). It works like a filter and like magic you can now record any of your movies that you buy, already own or rent!
Remember to take into account any copyright laws that are involved when copying DVD or VHS tapes. Any unauthorized duplication of any copyrighted media is your responsibility.
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What is a region Free DVD and which model do I buy?
There are 6 regions in the World. Click here to see the World region code map. Not only is a region involved in playing a DVD disc but PAL and NTSC video formats also play a key role. A region free DVD player will play any DVD from any region in the World. A region free DVD player is also capable of playing both PAL and NTSC formats. There is a lot more involved in playing a DVD from another country. For example, DVDs from the UK are region 2 and are in the PAL format. So, to play a region 2 PAL movie from the UK you need a Region free DVD player that has a built-in video converter. These models are known as "Models that work on any TV" on our site. Another example is playing DVDs from Japan. Japan is also region 2 but their movies are in the NTSC format. To play Japanese region 2 DVDs in America all you need is a region free DVD player. No need for a Multi-System TV or a model with a video converter as American TVs are NTSC also.
We carry many DVD players that have built-in video converters. These models are our most popular as they work without any extra equipment, right out of the box! These are models that will play any region DVD on any TV in the World. The Sony DVP-NS57p is an excellent quality model that is also very economical (less than $100). For high end video quality buy a Pioneer DV-600AV-s. This model has a 3 way converter to enable playback of any DVD on any TV in the World just like the Pioneer DV-300, DV-400, Toshiba SD-580, Samsung DV-P171 we sell on our site. If you want a excellent quality DVD player with trouble-free operation then buy the $79.99 Sony DVP-NS57p from our site. It is available for a limited time only. We now sell Multi-Region Blu Ray models also on our site. They are a perfect fit for your HDTV, especially the TVs with full HD 1080p resolution. We recommend Multi-Region Blu Ray DVD player models even for TVs that have lower resolution than 1080p. Blu Ray DVD players will give you a better video output and better video reproduction on your multi-system TV even when you play normal resolution DVDs. It is not necessary to play Blu Ray DVDs on a Multi Region Blu-Ray DVD Player.
Our DVD players will play any region DVD from any country. Our DVD players will even play specially coded DVDs that have RCE and REA coding on them. These RCE/REA coded DVDs are specially designed not to play on region free DVD players. But our models overcome this code and play them perfectly as well. That is our guarantee!
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Which Voltage Transformer to buy?
There are 2 types of voltage transformers, Step down Transformer and Step up Transformer. Both are explained below:
Step down transformers are used outside of the USA in 220/240 volt countries. They take 220/240 Volts and "step down" the voltage to 110/120 Volts so you can use your US equipment in a foreign country. Check our voltage/plug socket chart to see which countries use what type of voltage and wall outlets.
Step up transformers are for use in the USA. Or in other 110/120 volt countries like Canada and Mexico. They will take household 110/120 Volts AC and "step up" to 220/240 volts. So you can use foreign electronics in the USA with a step up transformer. Check our voltage/plug socket chart to see which countries use what type of voltage and wall outlets.
Models:
- Style A models are only step down models that are good for continuous use 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
- Style B models offers 2 way conversion. They have the capability of stepping voltage UP or DOWN all by switching a button on the back of the transformer. Style B models also offer a housing for the transformer so you will not feel the heat generated by the transformer. They also have multiple outlets (2-4 outlets depending on the model) and an ON/OFF switch for added convenience.
- Style C models also offer 2 way conversion and are similar to style B. They have the added feature of a voltage meter that shows the output voltage.
- Style D models are our best quality transformers. They offer Step Up and Step Down feature, an output voltage meter and best of all Style D models have a voltage regulator. The voltage regulator function assures a voltage output that is known as a "clean" and spike free voltage source. So, if the input voltage varies (up to 40%) the output of the transformer will be steady at the selectable 220/240 Volts or 110/120 Volts. This model is perfect for use in countries that have an unstable household voltage supply. Our customers use it in India, parts of Middle East, Africa, South America, etc.. Style D models are the perfect solution for sensitive equipment like; TVs, VCRs, DVDs, Computers, Printers, AV Equipment, etc.. A notable feature of style D models is that they can be used for regulation alone without converting voltage. So you can use also them as a surge protector in any country.
Which size to buy:
What size (capacity in watts) transformer you want to buy depends on the input watts required by your item. If your device does not mention watts then use this formula to derive watts from other information. Watts = Volts X Amps. For example, a 1.1Amp device which runs on 110 volts would be 121 watts. Remember to leave at least a 100% slack for the transformer. Using them to maximum capacity will eventually burn the transformer out after prolonged use. So for that 1.1 Amp/121 Watt device buy a 300 watt transformer.
Some items, such as laser printers, microwaves, CRT TVs/Monitors and power tools spike when you turn them on. These "spikes" occur for a fraction of second but they raise the required amperage 2-3 times than the normal operating Amperage. For example, a 120 Volt CRT TV which normally runs at 2 Amps will spike to 6 Amps at startup. So you would need to buy a 6 Amps X 120 Volts = 720 watts. For this item we recommend a 1500 watt transformer.
We have sold voltage transformers for use with Refrigerators, Microwaves, Stereo Systems, TV's, VCR's, DVDs, Power Tools, Hot Tubs and more. They have worked perfectly for these situations and we have not had any customers complain about their functionality or compatibility with such items. Please e-mail us if you have any questions regarding compatibility of an item with a voltage transformer.
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