NTSC/PAL DVD CAMCORDER

[mideepuchai]

Hello All!

Does anyone know of a DVD camcorder that can generate DVDs in either the NTSC format or the PAL format?

Most of the ones I see in the USA are NTSC only.

Thanks in advance.

[Guess]

Goodman,

I know the problem, having lived in the States and France (non standard) and other parts of the world who have had the good sense to adopt the world standard.

I have heard of Camcorders that can do both (are rather three standards) but unlikely you will find them in the states. What I have written below refers more to the play back rather than the creration but many things will apply equally and gives you an added options that do not require you tompurchase a new camcoder.

There are many options available but will need to do quite a bit of research on the Internet.

Firstly there are multi standard DVD players available but I believe that, like the old VHS machines they are more than double the cost of the same single standard machine. You may have to travel to LA to get one of these or rely on mail order.

Another option is to use a laptop/desktop DVD reader that doesn't give a shit about the output standard it is reading and will output through the TV card whatever standard it is designed or condigured for. I believe again you can get TV cards that will output all the world standards in the US if you pay a bit more. Here they retail at 800baht up. You will probably find the cheaper in a US PC store.

A third option is a converter which will work with a PC or a stand alone DVD player. I have heard of them but not seen one for sale. This will sit between the output of your DVD/PC Card and the TV. This may actually be a myth.

A forth option is a multistandard TV. These are very common in the UK which has now become a safe haven for any body in the world and needs to cater for many standards.

I remember ten years ago in the States asking in US computer about multistandard TVs and the guy, after consulting his colleagues, told me that I must be mistaken and no such thing existed. Of course he and his colleagues were completely wrong but it indicated to me that in the States there is no catering for anything that is not of US standard.

The best place to buy kit like this is Singapore where you will get a salesman who knows what he is talking about and will probably supply what you need. In Pantip Plaza in Bangkok you may be able to get what you need but you have to find it yourself.

BTW. Just to complicate the situation you have to be aware of regionalisation used on DVDs if you intend to bring any that were supplied in another country.

The region play counters are built into the players themselves so after finding five of one standard then that is all you be able to play from then on. There is software on the Internet that can solve this problem by copying a DVD and changing the region stamp but there are many most of which give you a free trial for 30 days. It is a minefileld though.

Keep me posted on you progress.
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[mideepuchai]

Thanks for the info. I've been doing a little research (on company time of course!) and I've learned a bit about the DVD regions, multi-standard DVD players and TVs, and even the NTSC<>PAL converters. Apparently Emerson makes a few that run from $40. USD to $350. USD depending on being able to convert one way or in both directions, plus other features.

Your advice on buying something through Singapore or some other high-tech Asian country is probably a good idea.

BTW: From what I remember France has about the weirdest standard of all (SECAM or something?). Only France and a few eastern block countries use it. Viva la France!

Again thanks for the reply.

Cheers!