I’ve read some of the past posts. Learned some things. Have these questions still.
I want to determine, in general, what my options are for viewing U.S. VCR tapes in Taiwan.
Even if I also have a VCR player made in the U.S. (or for the U.S. market), would the image display on a Taiwanese TV? I don’t know if there is a compatibility issue on TVs or not (NTSC, PAL, etc). Does each piece of equipment (tape, VCR player, and TV) have to be NTSC-compatible?
I’ve read about converting the tapes to DVD. Most shops seem to want about NT $500-700 PER HOUR of tape to convert. That is double the price of most movies originally, and more than a commercial DVD would cost now.
a) So, I’m tempted to say that this is not a viable option. Thoughts?
b) If I were to choose this option, how many hours of VCR time can fit on a (1) VCD, or (2) DVD?
((Ironlady: Any more specific details on the shop owner/location that you found to do a pile of your tapes for a reasonable price? Something that would help in locating him?))
I had never heard of VCD before arriving in Taiwan (not an A/V person obviously). I’ve gathered that it is some half-measure between the quality of VCR tapes and DVDs. Are they any good? If you had tapes to convert, would you bother converting to VCD vs. DVD?
As the tiny BFM said you will have no problems with US videotapes here in Taiwan as they use the same TV system (NTSC), so all VCRs and TVs here are compatible (often they don’t support PAL though).
Equipment here uses an AC mains supply of 110V, too, i.e. just like in the US.
Never heard of VCD before I moved to Asia either but then I am only an AV person since I am here.
Anyhow, VCD quality can be better than VCR but is inferior to DVD. However copying a VHS tape to VCD will not give any benefit related to picture quality since the source is still VHS.
A VCD holds 60-70 minutes of video footage, so most movies spread over two or even three discs.
Issues of quality improvements aside, if my purpose is to avoid buying a VCR here and to preserve some good tapes in a format that will be “watchable” for the foreseeable future, then…
Issues of quality improvements aside, if my purpose is to avoid buying a VCR here and to preserve some good tapes in a format that will be “watchable” for the foreseeable future, then…
would you suggest VCD or DVD?[/quote]
Depends what’s easiest and most practical for you - since the picture quality will be about the same, a DVD will hold a lot more footage if you record at low (VCR) resolution, for one thing.
