| There are VCRs that use VHS *format*, but the encoding is all wrong.
Europe, generally, uses the PAL encoding standard which is
significantly different from NTSC used in the US.
It is possible to buy dual use VCRs (we have one in the office), but
they are incredibly expensive. Unlikely that your au pair would have
one laying about...
Jim.
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| It depends, I think on what sort of dual-use VCR you buy. I bought one
AKAI in the states and used it over here in the Netherlands - until it
was stolen. I recently bought another AKAI over here (with at least
seven different formats available). Both were "reasonable" (less than
50% higher than normal), BUT you must have a TV set capable of playing
multiple formats also (we have a Philips top-of-the-line - too big for
the thieves).
I agree - in general, not a great idea.
Peter
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| The Swedish PAL TV system is different from the American and Japanese
system. This means that you can't watch a video cassette recorded in
Sweden on an American VCR. That is, unless you have a converter. This
may not be any news to you, but there are now several multi-system VCRs
on the American market. It might be something to consider for those of
you who are away from Sweden for longer periods but want to be able to
keep up with what's happening (and watch some Swedish movies now and
then).
I bought a VCR made by AIWA two years ago. It was fairly expensive
($600) but has the advantage that it can (with the switch of a button)
record or play in either system. It can also convert the picture. If I
have a tape recorded in Sweden and have no PAL tv to watch it on, the
VCR can digitally convert the picture to a US signal which I can watch
on my regular TV. When the converter is active the picture loses a bit
in sharpness, but it doesn't detract from the pleasure of watching
Swedish programs. This way my kids have been able to watch original
versions of Emil i Lonnerberga, Ronja Rovardotter and other great
Swedish children's movies. Our relatives also mail us other movies,
debates, and various things they know we'd love to see (last year I
received a copy of the final game of the hockey championships).
Since these machines can create a digitally converted picture it means
you can also make tape copy on a US VCR and watch it anywhere.
Ulf Westblom
[email protected]
Snail-mail: 336 E. Gill Ave, St. Louis, MO 63122, USA
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