[MattDJ]

Im tempted to buy a Toshiba Hd-Dvd at the end of March.

However, when dvd first came out, i thought i could get an american machine (region 1) and "chip" it. That wasnt the case, as i was told the res is lower so an ntsc machine cant output pal.

So, if i get one at the end of March, from the U.S., AND if they ever get "chipable" for all regions, can this be done technically to play PAL HD-DVDs like tv series etc as they have the same no. of pixels??

Thanks in advance!

[Rasczak]

It's wait and see I'm afraid. PAL and NTSC don't really apply to high def: the resolutions between the US and UK formats is effectively the same (720 or 1080). However US material is 60Hz and UK material 50Hz. Whether the US machine will play/output 50Hz is currently unknown. For standard def material (i.e. normal DVDs) then it is unlikely the US model will support UK discs - odds are though if you wait for a UK release (probably Sept/Oct time) then any UK model will support both US and UK discs.

Region codes are not being used on HD DVD for high def material. Again though for standard def discs this is an issue.

[Evil Engineer]

Originally Posted by Rasczak

Region codes are not being used on HD DVD for high def material. Again though for standard def discs this is an issue.

How do we know this, exactly?

[Rasczak]

How do we know this, exactly?

...because this is what the DVD Forum has stated (see the links in the HD DVD Summary sticky thread) and we also know that AACS does not support it so it would require a seperate hardware process that we know the HD VDD-Video compatible NEC 1100A does not have.

[Stephen Neal]

Originally Posted by Rasczak

...because this is what the DVD Forum has stated (see the links in the HD DVD Summary sticky thread) and we also know that AACS does not support it so it would require a seperate hardware process that we know the HD VDD-Video compatible NEC 1100A does not have.

Do we know this? What about the announcement that Japan was moving from R2 to R1 for some of the new HD formats?

I thought that both formats had the potential for regional coding - but that a clear decision hadn't been reported as to whether it would be used. Politically much easier to incorporate it and not use it (effectively making all releases R0) than to not include it... Certainly many film studios still see phased regional releasing for cinema, pay TV and pre-recorded release as important. (For one thing they save on the number of prints they need for the cinema if they can release in the US first, then the UK - which can take some of the US prints...)

Originally Posted by MattDJ

However, when dvd first came out, i thought i could get an american machine (region 1) and "chip" it. That wasnt the case, as i was told the res is lower so an ntsc machine cant output pal.

Is that really the case with DVD?

I know that 50Hz support is quite patchy on US TVs, but don't all DVD players have do decode 625/50 and 525/60 as part of the mandatory DVD spec?

[MattDJ]

This was in 1999 i asked a company to do it.. in the end i had to buy a panasonic a160

I sold the Jvc Region 1 only player on ebay. Even tho it seemed to have a better picture.

[MattDJ]

Another question... whats the main difference between the two toshiba models? Apart from the price!??!

Thanks!

[Steve.J.Davies]

Originally Posted by Stephen Neal

(For one thing they save on the number of prints they need for the cinema if they can release in the US first, then the UK - which can take some of the US prints...)

Once again light in my darkness - almost literally...
I wondered why cinema visits at the start of a release had me wondering about picture quality being duff - at times dreadful. I though it probable incompetence in the 'minimally staffed multiplex', but old prints... What a swizz !
Are the moving towards a digital distribution so that we can see films 'properly' ?

[zAndy1]

MattDJ I'd suggest if you want info about HD-DVD players etc then pay a visit to www.avsforum.com and check out the Blu-Ray and HD-DVD forums. You should find all the info you need there.

Cheers
Andy

[Evil Engineer]

Originally Posted by zAndy1

MattDJ I'd suggest if you want info about HD-DVD players etc then pay a visit to www.avsforum.com and check out the Blu-Ray and HD-DVD forums. You should find all the info you need there.

Cheers
Andy

As well as Microsoft employees stiring it in the Bluray forum!

[Stephen Neal]

Originally Posted by Rimmer

Is that really the case with DVD?

I know that 50Hz support is quite patchy on US TVs, but don't all DVD players have do decode 625/50 and 525/60 as part of the mandatory DVD spec?

No - not at all. AIUI quite a few US players spit out 576/50i (aka 625/50) discs as unplayable - though this can't be parked at regional encoding's door - as R0 discs (which can be either format) should be playable. (I know there have been arguments that as R1 is 480/60i only there is no need for 576/50i support - but that ignores R0)

However for many DVD players to replay 576/50i stuff in the US they'd have to include standards conversion I guess - as there is no real NTSC/50 to complement our PAL/60 - so component 576/50i would be the only option for 50Hz replay, otherwise you'd need the player to standards convert to 60Hz.

(In Europe most of our sets have RGB SCARTs and 50/60 compatibility - along with a fair proportion of NTSC decoders - so we have far more options for 480/60i replay)