[davidwatsonok]

I may have misunderstood, but I read on a recent thread on here that some players allow you to select which format is output. Does this mean that if I am playing a R1 disc which is obviously NTSC that I can select that it is output as a PAL signal ? The thread mentioned that some players have a switch on the rear, and others are switched in the set-up menus and it is to cater for people whose TVs can't cope with dual format.

Anyone know if this is correct, and how it's done on a 656 ??

[monsieurblack]

not too sure sorry...

not in front of mine atm, but from what i can recall it outputs my ntsc discs as pal60 as the current tv isn't able to recieve a straight 'raw' ntsc signal and displays it in black n white but using this player i have no problems.

sorry i can't be of more help...just how i understood it [old telly u you see and had to take back my multi-region sony and exchange for this pioneer as it had the correct output ]


let me know if you find out how





cheers
monsieurblack

[LV426]

TV signals can be defined with three factors:

Number of scan lines
Frame rate
Colour carrier.

The colour carrier is irrelevant when RGB or component signals are used. It is only relevant with Composite and SVideo.

An NTSC signal is 525/60/NTSC
A (true) PAL signal is 625/50/PAL

Although I can't speak for the 656, most Pioneers do indeed have an option to switch output formats. However, when set to 'PAL', and when playing an NTSC disc, the signal being output via composite and SVideo is

525/60/PAL

which is a hybrid signal - it has the normal NTSC line and frame structure, but with a PAL colour carrier. It is for use with most modern PAL only TV sets which CAN interpret the line and frame structure of NTSC, but not it's colour carrier. It isn't necessary to use such a setting if the TV can interpret NTSC fully, nor if RGB or component signals are in use. And this hybrid signal cannot normally be recorded on a PAL only VCR - these typically require the true PAL line and frame structure to work.

525/60/PAL is also known as 'pseudo PAL', or 'PAL60'.

[mseabroo]

Yes this can be done on the 656a from the front panel, rather than a switch as with the older models of pioneer.

First switch the player to standby, then hold down the "forward" chapter button to change the setting.
You may need to repeat for each change you wish to make.

It should cycle through AUTO->NTSC->PAL->
Obviously you want to select PAL.

If this is not clear take a look at page 20 of the manual.
Your TV will still need to be able to cope with PAL/60 signals though, but this should not be problem for newer sets

[Reiner]

Just to add that it depends on the make and model, the following outputs are possible (from 525/60):

PAL50
PAL60 (Pseudo-PAL)
NTSC

What is output and if it can be changed depends on make and model.
Old TV's may only understand PAL50 though most of the time you can also watch NTSC in color if DVD player and TV support RGB via Scart, given the TV can handle 60Hz sources. All you then need is a fully wired Scart cable.

[davidwatsonok]

Thanks for the info guys. Just tried the "track fwd" one and it does work, but as mentioned by Nigel it doesn't work when outputting to VHS. Guess it's PAL60 only. Oh well, looks like I need an NTSC-PAL converter.

[LV426]

Originally posted by davidwatsonok
Thanks for the info guys. Just tried the "track fwd" one and it does work, but as mentioned by Nigel it doesn't work when outputting to VHS. Guess it's PAL60 only. Oh well, looks like I need an NTSC-PAL converter.

....and that will be very expensive - at least GBP200 for a cr@p one; say GBP700 for a half-decent one, and GBP30000 ish for a broadcast quality one.

If you really need a true PAL (625/50/PAL) signal off an NTSC disc, the cheapest way to do it is to buy a cheapo chinese DVD player from a supermarket many of these DO output true PAL from NTSC discs.

[davidwatsonok]

Can you name any specific brands?

[higenbs1]

Would changind the output to PAL, get over the problem with horizontal banding lines on Panasonic TV's with NTSC RGB material?

[LV426]

Originally posted by higenbs1
Would changind the output to PAL, get over the problem with horizontal banding lines on Panasonic TV's with NTSC RGB material?

Originally posted by me!
The colour carrier is irrelevant when RGB or component signals are used. It is only relevant with Composite and SVideo........ It isn't necessary to use such a setting if the TV can interpret NTSC fully, nor if RGB or component signals are in use.