Dual DVD
 

I understand that DVD's in Europe don't necessarily play on US DVD players. I have also heard that there are dual DVD players that you can purchase. I would like to find one that will easily connect to TV's in Europe, but that will be able to play DVD's that we bring from the US.

And, before everybody blasts us for playing DVD's while we are traveling, with a 3 & 5 years old, a little Barney can buy some good Chianti time!!!!!

I wish I could help you....but cannot offer specifics having used my laptop to play US-type DVDs when in Europe.
Anyone who "blasts" you for playing DVDs in Europe is probably one of those fools who thinks because La Sireneuse was "voted" the "best" hotel in Europe that means it is worth almost $800 a night!

There are two issues here. One is the regional coding on DVD disks themselves; the other is PAL/NTSC incompatibility. European and N. American TVs (hence DVD players and VCRs) use a different scanning rate (Euro = PAL) and media (disks, tapes) are not interchangeable. Therefore you need to find a "zone free" and "PAL-NTSC" convertible device and/or disks to get what you want.

I googled it real briefly and it looks like there are portable, multi-zone, dual voltage, PAL-NTSC compatible machines out there for something like US$500. Sounds like a lot for a couple of videos for the kids, but maybe you can score something on e-bay.

Jon-Jon

Did you actually hook up your laptop to a TV over there, or just viewed on your laptop? I am wondering how different the connection cables would be for the laptop to hook to the TV's there. We are planning on taking a laptop over, but know the connections are different in Europe.

We do this all the time but use the laptop. It is very easy and you just need to either have an adaptor or recharge the battery each night.

Enjoy the chianti time!
Cheers,
Jan

Oops! I just finished reading bussrsf's message. Don't bothering connecting the laptop to a TV. The kids can just watch it on the laptop screen. The 220 110 volt issue isn't a problem with the laptop. Basically, plug it in and play.
Cheers,
Jan

If you search the web harder, you will find a few online merchants that sell DVD players that:

- play all region discs
- convert NTSC to PAL output; and convert PAL to NTSC output
- 110/230V
- under $150.

Most of these have unfamiliar brand names, but they do work. There are also some JVCs, but cost a little more.

But of course, do you really want to bring a DVD player to travel with you? I agree the laptop is a smaller and cheaper choice. Or buy a portable DVD player with a built-in screen. Those are not that expensive nowadays.

The benefit of getting an all-region, NTSC/PAL converting DVD is this - you can then buy DVDs from all over the world and watch it on your regular US TV after the trip, and never to worry about region code, etc...

Are you wanting a portable DVD player that you take with you to Europe? Be sure to buy that in the US because they are much cheaper.

If not then why dont you get a DVD player while there?

Many DVD players can be "dezoned" (region control defeat) with a simple hidden command via the remote. If you are wanting to take a DVD player with you make sure it works on 220. Most TVs in Europe now play both NTSC and PAL so you dont have to worry about converting the image.

For info on how to dezone your player go to the following website:

http://www.dvdrhelp.com/dvdhacks

Thank you all for your information. I guess I am a complete idiot with DVD technology. Is there a portable DVD with a screen that you can buy at a reasonable price, which can also play all region discs, - convert NTSC to PAL output; and convert PAL to NTSC output, and is 110/230V? If not portable, where do I find the ones that don't have a screen, but are under $150?

I thought I would throw another wrinkle in the mix. Unless things have changed in the last year or so...France, Greece, Czech, Hungry and more use a seperate broadcast standard call SECAM (SEquential Couleur Avec Memoire)
http://www.high-techproductions.com/secam.htm
I am not entirely sure how this effects using the RCA outputs from your computer, but if TVs in this country only accept a SECAM signal it may be an issue.

I use this DVD Region Free software on my computer and it works like a charm:

http://www.dvdidle.com/

Much less expensive than a multi-region DVD player. :)

I know that someone on this board said she thought I was an elderly science professor, or some such, and I'm going to turn into that character to answer this post.

WHY on earth do you need a DVD player in Europe so your 3- and 5-year-olds can watch Barney? WHY are you taking them to Europe to begin with? I don't get this type of thinking.

I traveled in Europe a LOT with 2- and 5-year-olds and 3- and 6-year-olds and so on, and we used the time to "get away from" the usual media nonsense in America. We devised many a roadtrip game such as "who can spot the castle?" and the "jolie jupe award" for the person who could locate a sheep farm or a winery or a cheese factory or whatever.

Seems to me that bringing American nonsense like Barney on a European trip rather defeats the purpose, but call me an old fuddy-duddy. Is it really necessary to keep your kids amused? Couldn't you be creative and find another way to keep them quiet and interested in the car while using the attributes of the places you're visiting? Granted, they are very young, but as I mentioned, we played the "jolie jupe" game for years and it always worked.

Don't you want your kids, however young they may be, looking out the car window and not at some screen? You know, they DO remember this stuff, but if you give them Barney, they won't.

Hold on a minute. When traveling in Europe, there's a lot of "down" time, at least with us. We have taken our kid (who's now 14) to Europe 7 times. we spend a lot of time taking overnight trains, where there is NOTHING for the kids to do. A portable DVD is great. We've taken one the last 3 times and used it extensively during these "down" times (At night, a parent can only spend so much time in the bar car of a train!). In the hotel, our son watched cartoons on t.v., which is a great way for kids (and parents) to learn the language. Kids seem to adapt to foreign languages much easier than parents, and there's not a lot of talking anyway -- mostly animated action.

Interestingly, a few summers ago in Scandinavia, we were visiting video & music stores, and I would have loved to have bought a few DVD's there, but they didn't have "all region" -- and of course our portable DVD player only took Region 1 (U.S. & Canada) and all regions. So a few months back I researched portable DVD's that could take both Region 1 and I think most of Europe has Region 2 to find the perfect DVD player where I could buy European DVD's and play them in my travels. They do exist! They are not very expensive either. It would be great for Bussrsf to get one of these, because his/her kids could watch Barney and also get foreign cartoons that will not only keep them occupied, but teach them a few language at an age where they are easily adapted to new languages.

It's new technology that's wonderful for children. You must remember back in the '70's and early '80's when buying records in a foreign country was very popular. Of course, with records, you could play it on any record player, whether in Europe or in the U.S. It's really the same thing with DVD's, except for this regional problem.

I also had another thought, which is something we used to do back then with English programs we loved that my friends in England recorded on VHS: we had to buy an English t.v. and VHS recorder, using an adapter to play it in the U.S. You don't have to do that anymore, since they now have converters. So I can send videos from the U.S. to my friends in England, and they can adapt it. But here's the thought: while you can bring a portable DVD player with DVD's for the kids, buy one in Europe as well, which you can use for the cartoons you buy in Europe. You will be able to play the DVD's on that player, and you can use the charger to charge the battery either in the U.S. or in Europe.

Surfergirl -

Thank you for your support. StCirq, I understand your points (although rather harshly and judgemental they may be). This is our 4th trip over with our 5 year old, and our 2nd with our 3 year old. They have experienced more in their short lives than most do in 80 years. This trip that we are planning is for 10 weeks, and although I do try and be the best mother I can be, if a few minutes of Barney here and there save my sanity, and give my girls a diversion, than "God Bless Barney"!!!

We do travel in Europe to "get away" as you say; however, being away from our home and the things that are familiar is sometimes difficult for our little ones. It is amazing how comforted they can be in our travels, by being able to once in awhile have a taste of home. This may be Barney, and this may be McDonald's. Thank you all for your helpful advice.

bussrsf - You're not going to find any portable DVD player with a screen for <$150, period. The cheapest one seem to be an Audiovox with a small 5.8-in screen for about $200. And I'm not aware of any that converts between NTSC/PAL, regardless of price.

As for regular DVD players that convert between PAL/NTSC, no-region, and 110-240V, there are many websites that sell them, as I said earlier. Here's just an example from a merchant that I buy Asian CDs/DVDs from. I HAVE NOT bought any electronics from them, and I don't know anything about the quality and reliability of this player. Just an example of what's out there for $129:

http://us.yesasia.com/en/PrdDept.asp...ronics/did-10/

Also, what digital_traveller says about the SECAM format used on continental Europe is true. However, I haven't seen any DVD in SECAM, and I ***assume*** most TV sets sold in Europe are multi-system, or at least PAL/SECAM. I may be wrong though.

Surfergirl--actually, a much cheaper option than buying a UK television and video would simply to have either just had the tapes converted or buy a dual-format VCR.

Traveling with kids is great, except you have to realise that young children won't remember those trips when they are older. My parents took my siblings and me all around the US, and I don't remember anything at all about the trips that took place before I was 6.

ann41 -- I know, I know, but way back then ('70's & early '80's) that was the only option!