PAL (region 2) conversion to American play systems

[samcraw]

I spend a lot of time in Eastern Europe as well as England during my working days. It was always frustrating to have to find special machines when I needed to play video (this was in the VHS days).

I have come to realize however the problem of different systems still exists. I am sent or run across a Euro-Video that happens to be in PAL (usually region 2) format and will not play on my CD or DVD computer here in the states.

I would like to know if there is a conversion program out there-- preferable a simple to use one that can make this conversion.

Thanks

[George]

Hi samcraw,

had the same problem the other way around. Spent many years in US and CAN, then back to Europe. I had to learn that even HD signals are not compatible since based on AC frequency.

In your case though I assume that you are referring to the region code of the DVD. Computers usually can play PAL and NTSC videos. In that case you need to change the region code for your computers DVD player. Assuming you're using XP, you can do that via the Device Manager (right-click My Computer > Properties > Hardware tab > Device Manager). From the device list, find your DVD drive and right-click on it, click Properties and go to the DVD Region tab.
However, you can only do that 5 times. Then it sticks with the last choice you made.

If you are having the problem with your normal DVD player then it depends on the brand whether you can teach it to ignore the region code (make it region code free). I always bought the cheap Philips players. You can make them region code free vie a certain click combination on the remote.

[samcraw]

Yes, it is my computer I want to run things on, and I use XP. So your solution sounds a lot easier than I thought it would be. To be honest I never really understood the notion of region codes. I have had it explained tome in English, Russian, Bulgarian and probably a couple other languages, but it makes as much sense to me as "off side" does in "football"!!!!!!!!

"preciate the info.
Sam

[Remah]

Originally Posted by George

In that case you need to change the region code for your computers DVD player. ...

An alternative to changing the region code is to use a decrypting program like DVD43. See Best Free Video Encoder for further options.

[samcraw]

Of course one could just flip on the lights!

Thanks again,
Sam