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DVD formats... Is the truth out there?
42 replies
PerFanatic said on December 7, 2001 09:50:
Hey people,
Does anyone have a difinitive answer about the various compatibility issues surrounding DVD’s and DVD players?
This is what I know for sure: In order to be able to play various regionally coded DVD’s (1=North America, 2=Europe, etc) through your entertainment system (not PC), you need to purchase a region-free (or code-free) DVD player. Fine, I understand that.
However, here’s the point that’s debatable: do you also need a video to converter (or a DVD player with one integrated into it) to play a region 2 DVD on a a NTSC TV set? I seen several websites that say you do, but they are in the business of selling the converters, so I don’t know if they can be believed. But, I’ve also heard from several sources that you don’t need the convert, just the region free player. In addition, the Rox DVD has been reported to play in a regular DVD player on a NTSC TV (in Canada I think). Granted, its a region 0 DVD but I still thought the video signal was PAL.
So here’s the ultimate question...
Is the video standard (NTSC or PAL) encoded on the DVD disc itself, or is it determined soley by the DVD player?
Let the knowledge flow:)
PerFanatic said on December 7, 2001 11:09:
huh?
Well, of course I’ve ordered the Rox DVD, but even when I get it, I can only play it on my PC as I don’t have a regular DVD player yet (still OK as I have a 19” moniter and good speakers). But, I digress... as far as the player goes, sure, I could go out and spend $600+ on a code-free sony player and video converter. But if it turns out that I could have got the exact same functionality without dropping the 3 bills for the video converter, that would be pretty damn stupid, now wouldn’t it. After all, I could use that money towards my next trip to Sweden;)
pietROxette said on December 7, 2001 11:27:
The Roxette DVD is in PAL format, which means, you can’t play it on your American DVD player and you can’t watch it on your American TV. This doesn’t have to do anything with region codes, it’s because of the horrible tv system people like using in the US called NTSC. If I sent you a VHS cassette from here to you in the States, you wouldn’t be able to play it with your US-VCR, because the recording is in PAL.
However, I’m sure there are some converter devices that might let you watch PAL stuffs on NTSC TV-s.
PerFanatic said on December 7, 2001 11:38:
Hey Pietro!
Thanks for the input. I know all about that crappy PAL vs NTSC thing… that is what forced me to have to buy an Aiwa MX-100 a while back, so I could watch all of my PAL videos. As far as VHS goes, this machine kicks ass! It will convert any of the 5 video formats to any of the other 5 (copies and plays all 5). However, with VHS, the video signal is on the tape itself. I’ve been told that that may not be the case with DVD’s. Supposedly the video on most DVD’s is some sort of compressed MPEG or something that does not have the video format encoded on the disc. Again, I’m not sure of this but that’s what I’ve heard.
Also, if the Rox DVD is truly in PAL format, how can you explain the fact that at least one person in this forum (from Canada) was able to play it fine on an NTSC DVD player and NTSC TV?
Denstandigaresan said on December 7, 2001 11:50:
Most DVD players here have a PAL-NTSC format TV convertor, plug it into any TV PAL or NTSC and press the P/N button to make it work...Easy peesie! And, my DVD player is a cheap one! Well, cheapish!
pietROxette said on December 7, 2001 12:18:
Well, honestly, I have everything integrated into my computer, that is, I have a DVD player in it which can play all region code DVDs, also, I have a TV-tuner card, which supports PAL, NTSC and NTSC Japan signals and it can generate a lot better picture than most TV sets, with stereo/dolby surround audio output. So honestly, I don’t really encounter these problems. I just turn my computer on and let things play.
Denstandigaresan said on December 7, 2001 12:48:
Woo, lucky you!
Some of us...don’t! Take me, I still run windows 95! LOL! It gets me on the internet! JUST! Hehe! :)
pietROxette said on December 7, 2001 12:55:
(actually the DVD player for the computer and that TV tuner card cost me WAY LESS than the cheapest TV set available)
Mfan28179-Jason said on December 7, 2001 20:11:
Well, I’m a USA fan here, and I have still NOT bought the DVD, simply because of the confusion of whether or not I can play it.
From what I’ve read many times before and understand, is it TRUE that I CAN play the DVD on my personal computer DVD player??? Because that’s all I’m worried about at this point in time - that is plays on my computer DVD player. So, if you are all sure, let me know please! Thank you!
Also, where can I buy it? I’m having trouble even finding the DVD online. So if anyone has a good suggestion, let me know!
–Jason
royalball said on December 7, 2001 20:27:
Jason...go ahead and buy the DVD. I play the DVD on my computer so...you’re all set to go my friend!
My only problem is that my DVD doesn’t want to play SDLHA. That’s the only track I have problems with...I can hear the music...but no video...unless I fast forward and then it sort of comes in...like a fading in...
coyboyusa said on December 8, 2001 03:51:
jason, if it comes down to it i can make you a copy onto vhs like any descent self respecting fan would do until u can sort out ur dvd player issues and buy the dvd
royalball said on December 8, 2001 07:53:
I tried to play it on my cousins Pioneer DVD player and it tries to come through...I get audio...and video...the only problem is with the tracking.
You know...just like the tracking knob on a vcr to stop the screen from moving up and down. And SDLHA works just like the rest...so there may not be anything wrong with the DVD.
royalball said on December 8, 2001 11:33:
Okay...no need to buy a DVD that plays in all regions!!
You “CAN” buy a regular DVD player.
I went to Circuit City and took the Roxette DVD with me to see which DVD players it can play on.
It played on the JVC just fine and the entire DVD works fine! No problems at all. No need to buy any extra stuff...so this is very good news!!
I suggest taking the DVD to the store to see which ones it will work on. It did not play on the Sony and Panasonic...but you can try different brands of course.
I trust Pietro...once he said it was a region free DVD...I went out and bought the DVD and tried out different players...so enjoy!!
Mfan28179-Jason said on December 8, 2001 19:27:
Woah. Lots of info given here! Thank you! I’m going to go ahead and buy the DVD. That is, once I can find it somewhere! Coyboy, thanks for offering me a VHS copy. I’ll let you all know what happens when I get the DVD. And Royalball, good idea with testing the DVD out at Circuit City. I’ll have to do that if I get a DVD player of my own! Interesting news! Thanks again.
By the way, I’m still open to suggestions where I should get it!
RoxQC said on December 9, 2001 16:14:
I’m from Canada and I bought the roxette dvd and it works fine in my regular “US” RCA DVD player. So, everything is okay...
daniel_alv said on December 11, 2001 04:41:
I think almost every new VCR handles both NTSC and PAL.... mine does that.... I live in Sweden and I can watch both NTSC and PAL with it....
Micael said on December 12, 2001 03:46:
All problems aside, you would figure that after all of the bullshit that people go through with PAL and NTSC they would be a BIT smarter and make DVDs and DVD players with one region world wide, period.
So silly, really.
I am sending a DVD to my cousin in the States for X-mas... SHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)
So, we’ll see if it werks for her.
Mfan28179-Jason said on December 14, 2001 20:11:
Well, guys, since I’ve got no suggestions from where to order the DVD, I’m going to order it from Amazon.co.uk and hope it works! I considered ordering it from the fanclub but I think it’s cheaper from Amazon. It says Region 2, but so many of you say that it’s region free, so I’m taking your word for it. I really hope this works!
Here’s the address:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005RTG6/qid%3D1008396548/026...
What do you think?
Mfan28179-Jason said on December 14, 2001 20:32:
I just ordered it and it turned out to be cheaper than what it listed when I checked out! It was like 19.61 sterling (I do believe that’s the symbol) total with shipping! Unfortunately, the DVD is on order for 1 to 2 weeks.
Mfan28179-Jason said on December 15, 2001 19:17:
Yep, that’s what I figured...about $30 (US dollars). Not too bad.
roxchurch said on December 19, 2001 22:20:
i finaly received my DVD !!!
I’m so happy!!!
i ordered DVD from bulgarian music company who works with EMI and other world music company....
They add my order to their order( for new cd and other stuffs) and after 10-12 days the DVD was in my hand!!!
It’s cost me only ~39 DM!!!
marirt said on December 22, 2001 12:33:
so I need help. I took your word for it and ordered the DVD and wouldn’t you know it, it doesn’t work.
I have a DVD player that can switch between Pal and NTSC but the picture doesn’t come out right.
Do you need a special tv? what am i missing?
btw, I live in the USA and I’m quite upset about this whole mess.
Iris said on December 22, 2001 23:17:
Many people think if the dvd-player can handle both formats there’s no prob, but that is a big mistake. You need a TV that can play both formats too.
In Europe some DVD-Player became cause of that a special format called Pal-60. That makes the NTSC in Pal, so that you can watch NTSC-movies on a TV which can’t handle with NTSC.
So the problem (esp. if you’re TV is an older one) can be the TV. I don’t know how much it is standard for NTSC-TVs there to handle with Pal-signals too ...
Maybe there’s something like the Pal-60 thingie with NTSC -> Pal too ... I don’t know that.
Maybe you should first ask the manufactor of your tv if you’re tv can play Pal
royalball said on December 23, 2001 06:03:
It can play on older TV sets as well because I play the DVD on an old Quasar from the early 80s...at least it plays on this old TV...I just suggest testing the DVD at any electronic store and see which players it can play on...
Don’t let the salesman try and tell you it won’t work...I just told them that I have a DVD that was made region free and I want to see which players it works on. The salesman was telling me it would only work on a Phillips DVD player that plays all regions...he even told me that...every time I switch between region 1 and 2...that after the third switch the Phillips DVD would stay on only one region permanantly after that...I don’t thing he knew what he was talking about...also he was trying to sell me a $600.00 DVD.
sweet_stalker57 said on December 25, 2001 20:32:
man the Summertour DVD isn’t playing on anything but my laptop!
just tried another one.... no go! :(
PerFanatic said on December 26, 2001 06:18:
Summertour DVD? Huh? Did I miss something here? Hey Brutha... you’re not holdin out on me are you?
Mfan28179-Jason said on January 4, 2002 22:14:
Hey guys! I just wanted to let you know that I got my DVD a few days ago and everything is PERFECT! I love it! It plays great on my computer. I’ve been watching it over and over and over! I finally get to see stuff that I’ve never seen before! I love it! :)
A happy US fan,
Jason
Ferdan said on January 8, 2002 02:00:
The DVD isn’t working on my Creative DVD drive :(
It doesn’t even read it.
tevensso (moderator) said on January 8, 2002 04:42:
Sounds broken then, the DVD or the drive. Whatever the formats it should always work in a DVD-R (for PC).
pietROxette said on January 8, 2002 04:51:
Yeah, the DVD plays fine on all PCs all over the world (of course, with the necessary hardware and software installed).
Ferdan said on January 8, 2002 05:26:
Marie’s dvd works fine.....
My Rox dvd is made in UK... well, I´m gonna try it in another player.... but if it worked in a normal player..... do you think it could have a protection for pc dvd players?
Ferdan said on January 9, 2002 01:58:
Well, I just went to change the DVD.... the guy tested it on his player and it worked.... anyway he gave me another one..... and.... well, it still doesn’t work :/ it’s really strange, the drive is even unable to read it just like the other one. And Sommarturné works fine... so i don’t know what is going on.
tevensso (moderator) said on January 9, 2002 06:03:
Hmmm, it could be that the Rox DVD is so poorly manufactured that your PC can’t read it. Seems like the only possible answer left. As a rule Swedish DVDs are not great, Marie’s is an exception to the rule.
roxchurch said on January 9, 2002 21:38:
“Ferdan 1/8/2002 14:00–The DVD isn’t working on my Creative DVD drive :(.It doesn’t even read it. “
i had bad experience with Creative drives- The PC-CD in my work is Creative and sometimes it doesn’t even read some cd- like POP-but i haven’t any problems with POP when i use other PC or my CD-player..
Did you try DVD with normal DVD-player, or other PC??
Ferdan said on January 10, 2002 01:59:
“No, no, no...the DVD just doesn’t like Ferdan! Hehehe...” by royalball
hehe.... maybe it’s mad cos i don’t like the DVD, I like the content.... but not the DVD itself :)
A regular DVD player plays it with no problem.... it´s the first time my Creative drive fails to read a DVD :(
StillFar said on December 7, 2001 10:45:
buy it, try it..if you can afford a trip to Sweden, you shoudn’t have problems buying a DVD, now do you?