you may want to call them up and talk to a customer service rep specifically about this, otherwise you may want to look at the inspiron->networking or latitude->networking forums as there may be more forum regulars there that will have better insight for you. due to the PAL/NTSC question you may also want to check in the respective video forums as well.
*edit* errrm, didn't mean to sound like a dumby when I posted that, for some reason I thought I was still in the general wireless board on the general forums...
"I need one that plugs in in the UK & USA"- You need to buy a universal plug adaptor for that.
"connects to printers & scanners in both countries (don't know if there is a difference)"- 99% sure there is no difference.
"modem & phone jack works both in the UK & USA"- Fairly recently there was a thread about someone going to Europe, and the verdict was that these were the same, you just need two ISP's (one from the U.S and one from the U.K)
"remote modem (for cafes etc.) works in UK & USA"- Not sure if there is a difference, accept for the above bit about the ISP's
"accepts software from both countries (I don't know if there is a difference)"- Software is universal.
prettyclueless, I'd be careful, if I were you... discussion of regions and copying DVDs aren't really allowed on these forums. Check the FAQ in the CD/DVD drives section for more info.
But anyways, isn't the NTSC / PAL question separate from the Region 1 / Region 2 question?
I know that some video cards will output video signals in PAL or NTSC format... I believe that the ATI and Nvidia cards used in Dells will do this. So, all you have to do is know what region your computer is, and buy all of your DVDs in that region, and you'll be able to hook up your laptop to your tv and view it with changes in the display options. The DVD drives that Dells come with can switch between regions, so you can buy a Dell in the US and set it to region 2 or 3. Just be aware of the region limitations, if you want to be able to watch your DVDs on your home DVD player as well. As long as you're disciplined in your purchasing, you shouldn't run into any problems.
Hi,I am wrestling with the same DVD/NTSC/PAL question. My research thus far indicates the following, but would love to hear if you have found out more: 1) The dvd formats are region locked, and hence you are theoretically not able to play American purchased DVD's on UK DVD players and visa versa without a player that can accommodate both the formats (there are players built that play all versions, and they are much cheaper and easier to get overseas than inverse here in the US).2) That said, I am not sure what happens if you burn the DVD yourself on a US purchased computer. My guess is that if it were burned on a US computer, the same problem would exist. i.e. you would not be able to play it on a UK dvd player. You would, however, be able to play it on your computer.Additionally, there may be software available that allows you to burn it to UK format. 3) You should be able to play any DVD format on the computer, provided you have acquired the right driver software, which I understand can be downloaded from sites (as per my pint above). i.e. the US computer should be able to be configured to play movies hired or bought in the UK.4) The big question, at least for me, is what happens if you try to upload a PAL recorded video onto a US purchased computer, and then try to transfer and burn it into a US compatible DVD format? This is what I really want to do, and I foresee issues with potentially both the transferring as well as the playback on a US based DVD player. Anyone able to help with this? Regards
Hmm... I don't know much about home movies, since I don't own a video camera (don't even own a camera right now, but Christmas might change that!). What format are the files in? Are you talking about digital movies, or about converting old movies from VHS tapes and burning them on a DVD?
If it's conversion from video tape that you're interested in, you'll probably have to buy a separate video card anyways, since the Inspiron notebooks don't have video-in, only S-video out. You'll need an external card, or a card that goes in your PC-card slots... something like the ATI all-in-wonder (but that's a desktop card, I think). The Inspiron - Video forum would be a good place to search for info on video capture cards, and hopefully you'd be able to ask whoever makes the cards, to confirm that they'll read NTSC and PAL inputs.
As far as burning movies that you record goes, you might want to check out the CD/DVD forum... again, since I don't have a DVD burner, I don't know much about burning video to DVD. How it's done and what formats it's compatible with is probably largely a function of the software that you use and the settings that it offers.
Glad you didn't mind the cautionary note... didn't want you to get booted for saying the wrong thing.
Thank you - v. helpful. One follow up question. If I understand you correctly, the video cards on the Dell that you mention support both NTSC and PAL output. Does this imply that they can read both, and therefore that I will be able to upload PAL recorded home videos and then transfer them to a US readable DVD (leveraging the DVD capability you mention)?
Thanks again
p.s. Thanks for the warning - just to be clear, all points I have made wrt to copying are for home made videos...
Well, if I were you and funds permiting, I would do the following
Purchase a Hauppuage USB video capture device with audio support.
By getting it, you can tell the capture software included to capture the video in pal format. Then you would be able to change the format of the avi film when you write it to the medium that you chose. And you would be able to do this on your laptop.
Good info, GManca101. There seem to have been tons of requests for video capture cards recently. The one mentioned seems to be available at many mainstream electronics stores. Site here:
kayatai
121 Posts
0
December 1st, 2003 20:00
you may want to call them up and talk to a customer service rep specifically about this, otherwise you may want to look at the inspiron->networking or latitude->networking forums as there may be more forum regulars there that will have better insight for you. due to the PAL/NTSC question you may also want to check in the respective video forums as well.
*edit* errrm, didn't mean to sound like a dumby when I posted that, for some reason I thought I was still in the general wireless board on the general forums...
Message Edited by kayatai on 12-01-2003 06:24 PM
CSmith06
2 Intern
•
956 Posts
0
December 1st, 2003 20:00
"connects to printers & scanners in both countries (don't know if there is a difference)"- 99% sure there is no difference.
"modem & phone jack works both in the UK & USA"- Fairly recently there was a thread about someone going to Europe, and the verdict was that these were the same, you just need two ISP's (one from the U.S and one from the U.K)
"remote modem (for cafes etc.) works in UK & USA"- Not sure if there is a difference, accept for the above bit about the ISP's
"accepts software from both countries (I don't know if there is a difference)"- Software is universal.
bollox77
4 Posts
0
December 2nd, 2003 04:00
Austin_Bike
120 Posts
0
December 2nd, 2003 16:00
I doubt that you will find one DVD drive to work in both regions. DVD drives are region controlled so you will probably need 2 different drives.
The notebook will probably come with an embedded modem, get a PC Card modem for the other region.
Buy a second AC adapter cord for the other region (most Dell AC adapters are 110-220V so all you need is the cord with the plug on the end.)
spiked_martini
948 Posts
0
December 2nd, 2003 19:00
prettyclueless, I'd be careful, if I were you... discussion of regions and copying DVDs aren't really allowed on these forums. Check the FAQ in the CD/DVD drives section for more info.
But anyways, isn't the NTSC / PAL question separate from the Region 1 / Region 2 question?
I know that some video cards will output video signals in PAL or NTSC format... I believe that the ATI and Nvidia cards used in Dells will do this. So, all you have to do is know what region your computer is, and buy all of your DVDs in that region, and you'll be able to hook up your laptop to your tv and view it with changes in the display options. The DVD drives that Dells come with can switch between regions, so you can buy a Dell in the US and set it to region 2 or 3. Just be aware of the region limitations, if you want to be able to watch your DVDs on your home DVD player as well. As long as you're disciplined in your purchasing, you shouldn't run into any problems.
prettyclueless
4 Posts
0
December 2nd, 2003 19:00
Hi,I am wrestling with the same DVD/NTSC/PAL question. My research thus far indicates the following, but would love to hear if you have found out more: 1) The dvd formats are region locked, and hence you are theoretically not able to play American purchased DVD's on UK DVD players and visa versa without a player that can accommodate both the formats (there are players built that play all versions, and they are much cheaper and easier to get overseas than inverse here in the US).2) That said, I am not sure what happens if you burn the DVD yourself on a US purchased computer. My guess is that if it were burned on a US computer, the same problem would exist. i.e. you would not be able to play it on a UK dvd player. You would, however, be able to play it on your computer. Additionally, there may be software available that allows you to burn it to UK format. 3) You should be able to play any DVD format on the computer, provided you have acquired the right driver software, which I understand can be downloaded from sites (as per my pint above). i.e. the US computer should be able to be configured to play movies hired or bought in the UK. 4) The big question, at least for me, is what happens if you try to upload a PAL recorded video onto a US purchased computer, and then try to transfer and burn it into a US compatible DVD format? This is what I really want to do, and I foresee issues with potentially both the transferring as well as the playback on a US based DVD player. Anyone able to help with this? Regards
spiked_martini
948 Posts
0
December 2nd, 2003 20:00
Hmm... I don't know much about home movies, since I don't own a video camera (don't even own a camera right now, but Christmas might change that!). What format are the files in? Are you talking about digital movies, or about converting old movies from VHS tapes and burning them on a DVD?
If it's conversion from video tape that you're interested in, you'll probably have to buy a separate video card anyways, since the Inspiron notebooks don't have video-in, only S-video out. You'll need an external card, or a card that goes in your PC-card slots... something like the ATI all-in-wonder (but that's a desktop card, I think). The Inspiron - Video forum would be a good place to search for info on video capture cards, and hopefully you'd be able to ask whoever makes the cards, to confirm that they'll read NTSC and PAL inputs.
As far as burning movies that you record goes, you might want to check out the CD/DVD forum... again, since I don't have a DVD burner, I don't know much about burning video to DVD. How it's done and what formats it's compatible with is probably largely a function of the software that you use and the settings that it offers.
Glad you didn't mind the cautionary note... didn't want you to get booted for saying the wrong thing.
prettyclueless
4 Posts
0
December 2nd, 2003 20:00
spiked martini
Thank you - v. helpful. One follow up question. If I understand you correctly, the video cards on the Dell that you mention support both NTSC and PAL output. Does this imply that they can read both, and therefore that I will be able to upload PAL recorded home videos and then transfer them to a US readable DVD (leveraging the DVD capability you mention)?
Thanks again
p.s. Thanks for the warning - just to be clear, all points I have made wrt to copying are for home made videos...
CSmith06
2 Intern
•
956 Posts
0
December 2nd, 2003 23:00
Austin had posted that you need another modem, as I said, this is not so, just follow what I said about the internet and you'll be good.
P.S: I read it on a thread about someone going to Eurpoe for 2 years and a European said that the modem and telephone jacks are the same.
GManca101
1 Message
0
December 5th, 2003 07:00
Well, if I were you and funds permiting, I would do the following
Purchase a Hauppuage USB video capture device with audio support.
By getting it, you can tell the capture software included to capture the video in pal format. Then you would be able to change the format of the avi film when you write it to the medium that you chose. And you would be able to do this on your laptop.
spiked_martini
948 Posts
0
December 5th, 2003 14:00
Good info, GManca101. There seem to have been tons of requests for video capture cards recently. The one mentioned seems to be available at many mainstream electronics stores. Site here:
http://www.hauppauge.com/html/usb_data.htm
Edited to add: I couldn't find it on one of the Canadian sites that's listed as "where to buy"... maybe it's not as widely available as I thought.
Message Edited by spiked_martini on 12-05-2003 12:09 PM