First of all, what is the difference between a MULTI STANDARD VCR and a
STANDARDS CONVERTER? What do you need to do what you want?
A Multi Standard VCR will play PAL/SECAM/NTSC tapes ONLY on a TV of the VHS tape standard
you have, therefore requiring the purchase of a TV as well as a Multi Standard VCR.
A Standards Converter allows you to PLAY any standard tape on any standard TV and also, to
convert the standard of the original tape allowing a copy to be made in a NEW TV standard.
These are either combination VCR/Converters or Stand-Alone Converters. All of ours are
Digital and are TRUE Converters. We don't sell "transcodifiers" or analog
converters and we strongly advise against them.
[Please don't be fooled by pseudo-converters! Ask for our FAQ file explaining the TRUTH
about this before buying from anyone.]
This means you can watch any TV STANDARD VHS tape in the world (PAL/SECAM/NTSC) on any TV
in the world, whether PAL, SECAM or NTSC TV or make an actual copy of any standard tape to
any other standard, literally altering the electronic information and send it to a friend
for him to watch on his own local TV.
If you plan on opening a STANDARDS CONVERSION business you'll need a Converter (and 1 or 2
VCRs). The best quality I sell are the TR-10SP by TENLAB, SAMSUNG 300W or 4000W, and the
Panasonic AG-W2. With the TR-10SP "box" you'll need 2 VCRs, one in each of the
standards (or MULTI-STANDARD-s) you'll be using.
Here's a quick overview of the Converters Planet 3000 sells.
The LEAST expensive way of converting PAL-NTSC is the
VCR/converter combo for around $600 (price and stock varies), however, you get what you pay for. The MX-100 tries to give you a lot but the quality suffers across the board. It DOES however use a digital chipset.
It has various negatives such as:
No tuners for PAL-SECAM countries so it can not receive television broadcasts from cable or antenna sources overseas. All the other solutions as listed below have PAL-SECAM-NTSC tuners (but for the PANASONICE AG-W2) so they are truly worldwide units.
You will lose approx. 1 ½ to 2 generations of picture quality when converting with the AIWA MX-100 whereas with all the converters a PAL-SECAM tape converted to NTSC, for example, will be virtually identical to the original and many people can't tell them apart.
What is a "generation"? When you make a copy of any video tape that copy is called a first generation copy. It will lose picture and sound quality. When you make a copy FROM THAT COPY the resulting copy is called a "2nd generation" copy and the image quality will suffer even more.
The AIWA MX-100 has no digital effects, no editing features and it’s "consumer grade" construction means it will probably last only a couple of years before you it starts giving you problems. The other solutions will last for many years.
NEW!VCR COMBO/Standards Converter NOW with TUNERS and Quasi S-VHS Playback
(SQPB = plays even S-VHS tapes with VHS quality) WORLD-WIDE 6-Head (4-Video & 2 Audio
Heads) HI-FI STEREO with Video Signal Conversion, Worldwide Tuners and other new features!
Latest Digital Converter Chipset & Electronics for
true Broadcast Quality Video Standards Conversions!
Here is yet another Converter/VCR Combo for those of you who prefer SHARP
SHARP VC-NX-1
Stereo Hi-Fi VCR/Standards Converter Combination Model - Similar to the SAMSUNG SV300W/4000W. VHS Format PAL - NTSC - MESECAM - HI-FI STEREO sound for tapes - Free SPEED SHUTTLE REMOTE CONTROL - BiLingual - HQ - Digital conversion - Line and Field Interpolation Circuits adjust scan-line and frame rate for perfect pictures. Versatile playback, editing and broadcast reception, display on any TV - a multi-system TV is not required. Picture-in-Picture! 9-Strobe Display Dual Mode Freeze Frame Noiseless Digital Search Noiseless Digital Slow Noiseless Digital Still Titanium-Coated Drum 19-Micron Heads for NTSC EP Mode Playback - All speeds in all standards Video Signal System: PAL - B/G/, I, D/K; MESECAM - B/G, D/K-K1; NTSC 3.58 (U.S.A.) -WorldWide Tuner with Novelcapabilities for SAP/Stereo (Japan) - Tuners for PAL and NTSC broadcasts and cable. All speeds in all standards. Auto Head Cleaner - Auto Voltage (110-240 Volts) and Auto Herz (50/60 MHz)
(The Sharp converting VCR is no longer in production - no huge loss!)
This is the updated version of the fabled and original VCR/Converter - the AG-W1. This is the most expensive converting VCR on the market yet is virtually the same thing as the Samsung and the Go Video. All three are made by Samsung. Compare the specs and image of the AG W2 and the Go Video GV 10 W. They are virtually identical!
Over the last couple of years and especially recently, the prices on converting VCRs has dropped considerably. The Go Video is no exception. This is virtually the same unit as the Samsung SV 4000 and the Panasonic AG W2. You get a lot of bang for the buck with this unit. In terms of price/quality it contends with the Tenlab for the number one spot.
Still, only the TENLAB products have all the options, can be upgraded as even better
technology arrives, have phase (for NTSC color) and gain control knobs, are made in the
USA. They also have a full world-wide warranty good for all countries, including the USA.
For what it does it's amazingly inexpensive.
In sum, the TENLAB can do more than all the others, is a truly superior converter and, as
I've sold so very many, I can tell you: you will NOT be disappointed!
TENLAB CONVERTERS - The BEST VALUE for your MONEY!
(Now the Go Video has become a serious contender!!!)
We also sell the entire SNELL-WILCOX Pro-Line converters and all products. E-mail for this special catalog.
Call or e-mail for information or to order!
To Order Call 1-800-733-2209
or
Call (925)686-9945 for all other inquiries
Fax (925)686-9968
e-mail