Welcome to our frequently asked questions page. You should find allot of useful information here. Please e-mail if you still have any concerns or doubts about the product that you are purchasing. Also, feel free to e-mail us FAQ's that you feel should be answered here.

        To play PAL/SECAM tapes you need a multi-system VCR to play the PAL tape. You also need a PAL TV or a multi-system TV to work with the multi-system VCR. With both units you can play any type of tape; PAL, SECAM or NTSC. If you have French tapes you will need to choose a VCR that has French Secam playback plus a Multi-System TV. You may view a full selection of Multi-System TV's and VCR's on our site.
        Most customers choose not to buy a Multi-System TV since they already own a NTSC or PAL only TV. Plus, multi-system TVs have a viewable area that is 2" less than what is advertised. This makes Multi-System TVs an uneconomical choice. In this case the best thing to do is to buy a Multi-System VCR and a video converter. This is perfect solution for people that already have a nice NTSC TV set or people that do not want to buy a new Multi-System TV. The Multi-System VCR will play the PAL/SECAM tape which also outputs a PAL/SECAM signal. The video converter will then convert the PAL/SECAM signal coming from the VCR to NTSC so you can view it on your existing NTSC TV. This type of combination will let you view the PAL/SECAM tape on a normal American NTSC TV set. Another benefit is that you can make NTSC recordings of your PAL tapes. So not only can you watch the PAL/SECAM tapes but you can also convert tapes from one system to another. This will enable you to pass tapes to and from friends and family abroad. You can also transfer NTSC tapes to PAL system. The key to video conversion is the Video Converter. The better the video converter the better the conversion quality is. We do carry the best video converters on the market! The the CMD-1500 is an excellent model sold on our site. We also recommend you look at one of our excellent VCR/CONVERTER combos which include this top-notch video converter and a multi-system VCR. They start at $349 for a multi-system VCR with a professional converter. To look at the features, pictures and exact pricing for all these models go to the following URL: http://www.world-import.com/vcr.htm

            All Multi-System TV's and most VCR's have built-in tuners. A tuner enables a TV or VCR to receive local TV stations or cable TV, that is, if the VCR is equipped with a CATV ready tuner. For example, a PAL BG tuner will allow the TV or VCR to tune PAL BG TV stations in countries that broadcast in PAL BG, i.e. Sweden, Iceland, Germany, UK, Australia, India and more. A NTSC M tuner will allow reception of cable or regular broadcasting in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Check your country's specific requirement here. The same rule applies for all NTSC, PAL and SECAM countries. We mention what type of tuner each TV and VCR on our site is equipped within its description. A tuner is no way connected in the process of converting or playing tapes from different countries. A common misunderstanding is that a NTSC tuner will allow you to play a PAL tape on an NTSC TV. That is not true! To play PAL tapes on a NTSC you need to read this explanation.

            Copy Enhancers stabilize video signals for perfect copies. Normally, if you try to copy a video that has copy protection the copy that is made will not come out viewable. We sell "magic boxes" which removes all types of copy guards. They are shown on our site at: http://www.world-import.com/copyenhancer.htm. You can use them to copy DVD to DVD, VHS to DVD, DVD to VHS, basically anything to anything!

Remember to take into account any copyright laws that are involved when copying DVD or VHS tapes. Any unauthorized duplication of any copyrighted media is your responsibility.

          There are 6 regions in the World. Click here to see the World region code map. Not only is a region involved in playing a DVD disc but PAL and NTSC TV formats also play a key role. A code free DVD player will play any DVD from any region in the World. A code free DVD player is also capable of playing both PAL and NTSC formats. There is a lot more involved in playing a DVD from another country. For example, DVDs from the UK are region 2 and are in the PAL format. So to play a region 2 PAL movie from the UK you need a code free DVD player that has a built-in video converter. Or a model without a built-in video converter requires an external video converter like the CMD-1500. Or the last option is to buy a Code Free DVD Player plus a Multi-System TV. Read more about this topic here. Another nice example is playing DVDs from Japan. Japan is also region 2 but they are in the NTSC format. To play Japanese region 2 DVDs in America all you need is a code free DVD player. No need for a Multi-System TV or a video converter as American TVs are NTSC also.

We carry many DVD players that have built-in video converters. These are models that will play any region DVD on any TV in the World. The Sony DVP-NS57p is an excellent quality model that is also very economical (less than $100). For high end video quality buy a Yamaha model. These models have  a 3 way converter to enable playback of any DVD on any TV in the World just like the Pioneer DV-393-s or DV400. If you want a excellent quality DVD player with trouble-free operation then buy the $99.99 Sony DVP-NS57p from our site.

            To play PAL DVD's you need a multi-system code free DVD player that has a built-in video converter. Then you can play any region DVD from anywhere in the World. You may view a full selection of DVD players and Multi-system TV's on our site at www.world-import.com/dvd,htm.

Alternatively, you can buy a multi-system code free DVD player and a video converter. The code free player will play any DVD disc. When you play a PAL DVD movie the output signal will also be PAL. You cannot view PAL signals on a NTSC TV unless you have a video converter. The video converter will convert that PAL signal to NTSC to enable you to watch it on a American NTSC TV set. This will not only enable you to watch the PAL DVDs but you can also make NTSC VHS copies so you can pass them of to friends and family. Basically, both units together will let you play any DVD on any TV set in the world. We have excellent combo deals on our site which include the best video converter available, the CMD-1500, and an excellent DVD player. We also have Code Free DVD players that have built-in video converters. The best out of these is Yamaha DVD-S657. We do give an excellent warranty with all the models we sell. Models like the Philips DVP-5140/37 are nice choices but the conversion quality will obviously not be the same as a 16mb CMD1500 along with a name brand DVD player! We also carry Pioneer, Toshiba, Akai, JVC, Daewoo, Jwin line of DVD players. These are players with a built-in video converter.

To use a NTSC (American TV) in a PAL country you need two things: A local broadcast tuner and a video converter. The local TV tuner must be able to receive the specific PAL broadcasting in the country. Basically it is needed to receive local TV channels. Most multi-system VCRs have a PAL tuner or you can buy a cable box or satellite dish in the PAL country you are going to. The VCR or tuner will receive and output the local TV or cable channels. The Video converter will then take this PAL signal and convert it to NTSC for viewing on your existing American TV set. The key to this process is to buy an excellent quality video converter like the CMD-1500. There is no other 18mb converter on the market so if you buy anything else and you won't like the conversion quality! We can ship world wide also!

To use a PAL/Secam (Euro/Asian TV) in a NTSC country you need two things: A local broadcast tuner and a video converter. The local TV tuner must be able to receive the NTSC "M' broadcasting. Some multi-system VCRs have a NTSC tuner or you can buy a cable box or satellite dish in the NTSC country. The VCR or tuner will receive and output the local NTSC TV or cable channels. The Video converter will then take this NTSC signal and convert it to PAL for viewing on your existing PAL TV set. The key to this process is to buy an excellent quality video converter like the CMD-1500. There is no other 18mb converter on the market so if you buy anything else and you won't like the conversion quality!

If you have a HDTV then consider buying our CMD-HDX5. This model converts PAL (up to 1080p) HDTV to NTSC (up to 1080p) HDTV. Using the high definition quality conversion of the CMDHDX5 you can convert PAL HDTV signals to NTSC HDTV for viewing on your existing NTSC TV. Eliminating the need to buy a new multi-system TV set. Local PAL HDTV tuner like a Cable Box or Satellite Receiver is required. As HDTV only works with HDMI this converter only works with HDMI connections.

        Step down transformers are basically for use overseas. They will step household 220/240 Volts AC down to 110/120 Volts. Step up transformers are for use in the USA. They will take household 110/120 Volts AC that we have here and step it up to 220/240 volts. Style A models that we offer are only step down models. Style B offers the capability of stepping voltage UP or DOWN all by switching a button on the back of the transformer. Style B models also offer a housing for the transformer so you will not feel the warmth generated by the transformer. They also have multiple outlets and an ON/OFF switch for added convenience. Both style A and B transformers are continuous use models. Style C models are similar to style B and are also for continuous use. The Style C models are our best quality transformers. They also have a voltage meter and a robust heavy duty continuous use transformer built-into to the best quality housing. Style D is the same as the style C plus it has a voltage regulator to output a clean spike free voltage source. This model is perfect for sensitive equipment like; TVs, VCRs, DVDs, Computers, Printers, AV Equipment......

        Remember to leave at least a 100% slack for the transformer. Using them to maximum capacity will eventually burn the transformer out after prolonged use. Some items, such a laser printers, microwaves and power tools, spike when you turn them on. For these types of situations you need to buy a transformer that is at least twice or thrice the items capacity.

        We have sold these transformers for use with Refrigerators, Microwaves, Stereo Systems, TV's, VCR's, DVDs, Power Tools and more.... They have perfectly for these situations and we have not had any customers complain about their functionality or compatibility with such items. Please e-mail us if you have any questions regarding compatibility of an item with a transformer.