I bet someone knows the answer to this question:

poh

Can you use a European DVD player with a US TV?

I've already figured out that the plugs are different, so no need to point that out - but before I buy a transformer and try to use it, is there any reason why it won't work?

Thanks to anyone who can advise me here. I'm absolutely clueless when it comes to TV, DVD, stereo connecting, wiring, etc. I mean I spent the good part of an hour trying to plug in the Euro plug into the US outlet before someone explained that they were different.

OK, I"m kidding about that. But it's almost that bad.

whyfi

Short answer: No.

Electrical issues aside, European and North American TVs are based on different systems. We use NTSC, they use PAL. Unfortunately, your DVD player isn't going to work on NTSC TVs. If it did, you'd still run in to DVD regional coding issues. DVDs sold in the US are made for Region 1 DVD players, your DVD player is most likely coded for Region 2 discs. Regional coding is used in an effort to curb piracy. :roll:

metulj

Buy a daewoo DVD player. Download the ROM update and burn it to a CD. Flash DVD player with the update. Don't worry about regioned DVDs. Buy 3 of those cheap DVD players and when one dies, fire up another.

ben

for only slightly more than the cost of the transformer and whatever other plugs/cables you would need you can get a brand spankin' new DVD player.

A quick search on Froogle shows them available for as little as $26.

whyfi

Or just watch'em on your computer! No DVD drive? 40 bucks and ten minutes is all it takes.

poh

Ah, should've mentioned this in the beginning in order to not look like massive cheapskate:

I told you I'm mentally challenged in the electronics department? Well, also in the common sense department. I shipped the stupid thing here from Europe in a big container that I basically shovelled all my belongings into - without even thinking about whether it would work. :roll: Thus, it's more about being :x and wasting money on getting it here... and having the hulking great thing sitting in my apartment already. know what I mean?

I've also got a Euro TV.. wait! I could use them both together, and just watch DVD's - that'd work, right? It's a multi zone.

If someone tells me this will work I'll buy a transformer and shut up. And then start saving for a plasma. 8)

sorry, overdid the emoticons.

alafairnadia

that should work. but we'll keep an eye out for fire and/or UK TV tax police.

doctorj

WhyFi wrote: Short answer: No.
Electrical issues aside, European and North American TVs are based on different systems. We use NTSC, they use PAL. Unfortunately, your DVD player isn't going to work on NTSC TVs.

One way around this is to convert the analog video signal to the format you need.
Boxes like this one are for sale on Ebay. (Item 9720407730)
Converts euro player or us player or computer-rgb to euro-tv or us-tv or computer-monitor, and takes different plugs and power.

I use one like it to watch DVDs since my CRT is better than my TV even after some loss of quality in conversion. Maybe because the CRT cost a hundred times as much as the TV.

idlewild

I bought an all region dvd player. Now, I can watch all the old Gojira movies I can get my hands on.

anfield

you can also hack your dvd player to play discs from other regions, do a google search on it.

brooklynswordstyle

Though it's been covered already, I'll summarize what's going on for posterity.

There are three concerns here:

1. Power

The Euro player obviously has a different plug. This can be solved with an adaptor.

2. Display standards

The Euro player likely outputs PAL standard. We are NTSC in America. Some monitors (like projectors, some computer monitors) can handle both. A US TV likely cannot. This can be solved by hacking the player to output NTSC or using a PAL compatible display (like the poster has).

3. Region coding

USA is DVD region 1. Europe is DVD region 2. This is solved with region free players. Many region free players can output either PAL or NTSC.

dw438

Subject: You're going to need more.

THIS IS IMPORTANT.

European electrical gear runs on 220 volts, frequency 50 Hertz.
American electrical gear runs on 110 volts, 60 Hertz.
You need at least one transformer per appliance plus the necessary plug adapters to make it work .. stepping down the voltage.
Most current gear does NOT need a frequency (Hertz) boost. Any associated motors [live in the disc player] will run a bit faster.
Also check to see if your gear has a switch on it to allow for either voltage. Some do.

Too bad you brought the gear here. Get a multi-region player.
And US NTSC CRT tube tv's are dirt cheap.

poh

Thanks, guys. This is all extremely helpful.


Ok. So who wants to hack my DVD player? Before I try and do it myself with a pickaxe? :oops:


Is anyone going to Europe and wants to buy a TV?