Page 1 of NTSC/PAL Conversion

Hello Folks,

I have just bought a Cambridge Audio DVD57 from Richer Sounds (multi region chipped). At the moment I am using quite an old Matsui TV which does not support NTSC input. My problem is this;
When I play back Region 1 (US) discs, the picture is not as smooth as it should be. For want of a better description, it looks like the actors on screen have been created by Ray Harryhausen (remember the old Clash of the Titans special effects)? OK, so it is not quite that jerky, but there is a definite jerkiness to the picture and it is quite annoying to watch.
In my (non-expert) opinion, this must be due to one of the following 2 things. Either
a) The problem is with the "chipping", and any "foreign" disc will suffer the same degradation of picture, or
b) The problem is with the NTSC-PAL converter in the DVD player.

In your experience, has anyone ever notice this kind of effect before? If so, is it due to the chipping, or the converter in the DVD player? I am sure that if it was due to the chipping, then everyone who has a multi region player would have notice this effect and it would be well publicised. This inclines me to think that it is the NTSC/PAL converter in the player.
I am likely to upgrade my TV in the near future to a Sony Wega, (which will obviously support NTSC input). If I do this, and the problem is due to the converter in the player, then would this likely solve the issue, (as the NTSC/PAL converter in the player would be bypassed)?

Discs bought in the UK play back fine, it is only region 1 discs that show this problem.

Thanks in advance for your help!

MW

The NTSC-PAL converter in the player must be quite poor.Have you tried other output options?It sounds like you have PAL 50.Does the player do PAL 60?Try that.Do you get any picture at all on pure NTSC?

Hi

Thanks for responding. If I select the NTSC output option, I get a poor black and white picture, (but I do get a picture). My TV is based on "PAL i", whatever that is! I assume PAL 60 is a later version than PAL 50, which, I am guessing, is a later version of PAL i.

The player does (according to Richer Sounds website), have an NTSC-PAL60 converter, but whether my TV uses PAL 60 or not is anybody`s guess, (I would think not).

Ideally, I would find a friend who has a modern TV which accepts an NTSC input, this way I could bypass the converter on the player, (at least I would think this would be the case). If the picture was OK doing this, then it is clearly the converter that is a bit dodgy. I don`t think any of my friends have a modern TV though!
It might just mean that I may need to by a new telly sooner than I would have wanted. I may see if i can take my DVD player into Currys and test it with a new TV!

If you or anyone has any more helpful info, I would really appreciate it.
Cheers,

MW

p.s. have you heard of this phenomena before? Is it common to have a dodgy NTSC-PAL converter?

This item was edited on Friday, 10th October 2003, 18:36

I think the I in PAL I is just the sound frequency we use for broadcasts in this country PAL 50 is exactly the same thing. PAL 60 has 525 lines and 30 fps like NTSC but uses PAL colour so the picture be viewed in colour on a PAL TV. If you get a stable B&W picture from an NTSC signal then youre TV should handle PAL60 no problem

Simple answer - RGB SCART ;)

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DVD Reviewer

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Would an RGB Scart solve the jittery picture I am experiencing with Region 1 discs? My current TV has 2 SCART inputs. SCART 1 has RGB capabilities, but is currently being used by my Sky+ box. The second SCART, which my DVD player is connected to, does not have the RGB capability. So, if I temporarily swap SCART sockets, that should tell me the answer... will try it tomorrow.

Thanks for your help!

Mark

Well, I tried swapping the SCART sockets and it did not get rid of the problem, there is still some jerkiness in the picture with Region 1 discs. The actual picture quality is OK, it is just that the images are not smoothly presented.
I will see if my local Currys will allow me to test my DVD player on a new telly, (there may be a sale in it for them if it works OK).

Thanks for your suggestions.. would welcome any more!

MW

I tried my DVD player in my local Comet with a 28" Sony Wega and it did not show the same jerkiness as it does on my current TV... so, I suppose the moral of this thread is that if you are going to buy this DVD player and you intend on playing region 1 discs, then make sure your TV has native support for an NTSC signal, otherwise you will be stuck with the problem of a jerky picture!

I hope this might be of use to someone at some point!

Cheers,

MW

hello there,
im glad you have solved youre issue with the Cambridge player... a lot to learn from this experience !?!
To clear things up a little:
*The player isnt `Chipped` as such - no dodgy workings, just a remote hack.
* RGB is the answer - check youre settings
* If i were you, next time you have a problem contact the supplier first - much quicker. If you purchased it from Richer Sounds - go seem them, ive never had a problem that couldnt be solved by a simple phone call or visit.

kind regards
m.

MW,
If you haven`t already bought the new TV, I would suggest you try what CLAYTS suggested. Switch your DVD scart to the RGB input. Then try your DVD player on both the NTSC AND the PAL settings and see what you get in both. From what you`ve written, it looks like you definitely tried the PAL setting (and still got the jerkiness). But did you try the NTSC setting in the RGB input?? That could solve your problem. My in-laws have a TV that`s not NTSC compatible. I tried this and it cured the Black and White problem, and looks great for region 1 - I`m using a Toshiba 220E, though.
J