How to convert a European TV for American use?

[duuuma]

Hey guys, this might be a bit off from computing, but I was hoping some of you video experts would know.

I received a TV from Switzerland and I want to use it here. It only uses European voltage though, so I was wondering what exactly do I need to buy to make this TV work here? I'd appreciate any tips!

 

[Kingofcomputer]

A voltage converter and a pal to ntsc converter.
The price for these 2 items together probably could buy a new 29" flat tv.

 

[duuuma]

Though I'm not completely sure, this TV should be NTSC. Is NTSC the standard for American TV's and PAL the standard for European?

I looked around for voltage converters and they were selling for around $80 for a 1000W converter.
Would a PAL to NTSC converter cost a lot?

 

[Doh!]

As said above, a transformer and a pal/ntsc converter will do but the total cost will be at least around $200. Maybe you can find used ones or cheap ones at ebay.

If the TV was bought in Switzerland for use in that country, then it's definitely PAL. In addition to the USA, NTSC is the standard for some Asian countries (i.e., Japan, Korea, Taiwan, etc.). PAL has 25 while ntsc has 29.97 framerates.

 

[Peter]

If that's a halfway recent TV set, it'll do NTSC anyway. And if it doesn't actually have a "universal" power supply, then a transformer unit supplying the required 230 Volts will be required.

 

[The Green Bean]

all u need is a convertor for the tv....Plug in the cable into the convertor and convertor into the TV....shudnt cost much......

Most DVDs can run on both the systems so ur prolem seems to be a cable related one.....

 

[duuuma]

That's what I suspect also. I'm going to try to buy a good 1000w transformer and give it a try. I just wasn't too sure what the difference between NTSC and PAL was in terms of the TV being able to tune antenna/cable signals here in the US?

Originally posted by: Peter
If that's a halfway recent TV set, it'll do NTSC anyway. And if it doesn't actually have a "universal" power supply, then a transformer unit supplying the required 230 Volts will be required.