Multi-System VCRs

What is a Multi-system VCR?

Over the years, one of the most popular sources of visual entertainment has been CDs and cassettes and now, the so much popular DVDs. To play these video items, you require a player, the Video Cassette Player (VCR). It is one of the most popular video playing devices throughout the world. However, video standards differ with zones and geographical locations and every video standard is not applicable everywhere. Different video standards used in different parts of the world. These are NTSC system used mostly in North American countries, PAL used in Asia and most European countries, and SECAM used mostly in France and a few other European countries. South American countries use PAL-M, PAL-N, PAL and NTSC, all different from each other. While the present day trend is towards a mixture of video standards, none of these video standards are compatible to each other. This is where a Multi-system VCR steps in to the rescue of the viewer, since it has the ability to play videotapes of different video standards. Therefore, with a multi-system VCR, a viewer would be able to view cassettes of any standards and if he is on the move, he can carry his multi-system VCR along, to enable him to view wide cassettes compatible to different video stands like PAL, SECAM, NTSC or a combination, anywhere on the Globe.

Multi-system VCR features

Multi-system VCRs are fine for viewing cassettes of any standard but an ordinary multi-system VCR has one serious limitation. While it can play videotapes from all over the world, it cannot convert video signals. A multi-system VCR will not enable you to view PAL cassettes on your NTSC TV set. The solution to such problem is a multi-system VCR with signal converting capability. Such VCRs are ordinarily called a converting multi-system VCR. Such VCRs have an in-built video signal converter that converts alien video signals into compatible ones. Such conversion is also possible with an ordinary multi-system VCR, but there you require an external Tenlab video converter or a multi-system TV, so that in either of these devices, the signals are converted into compatible ones and can be easily read through. As far as modern technology is concerned, multi-system videos are manufactured today with an in-built video signal converter. On the other hand a multi-system TV can play all video formats that may be PAL, SECAM, NTSC, or a combination of any of these versions. The fundamental principles for VCR is just alike the multi-system TVs.

How to view tapes on your TV

Just having a multi-system VCR or for that matter any VCR will not enable you to view tapes and cassettes you desire to view. Viewing requires a TV set connected to the VCR. Such TVs should have either an internal or an external converter that can easily convert the signals into compatible types. Suppose you want to view a PAL standard tape or cassette on your NTSC TV. In such case there should be an in-built converter or an externally attached one through which the signals transmitted by the VCR, will pass to the TV. That device will reconvert them into NTSC compatible signals and you will be able to enjoy. As already mentioned, a number of modern multi-system VCRs, using the latest technology, have video converter installed internally. When you use one of such multi-system VCRs, you will not require to have an external device to convert the signals. While this sounds very handy, there is once again a disadvantage. The picture quality produced by this type of VCR may not be exactly what you expect and where the multi-system VCR does not have an in-built converter; a much better picture quality can be obtained by the use of an external converter connected to the VCR.

The alternative way to view tapes on your TV

Since there are problems with a multi-system VCR, use may be made of an in-built signal converter or an external device connected to the VCR. Other possibilities can be explored. There is the possibility of having a combination of a multi-system VCR with a multi-system TV. While a multi-system VCR will only support the incoming signals without the capability to convert them, a multi-system TV, having an inherent conversion capability, would be a suitable solution. So when PAL signals enter the VCR it will keep them intact, and not convert them. This signal will be sent to your NTSC TV. If your NTSC TV is a multi-system one, it will convert the PAL signals, that it receives, from the VCR, into NTSC compatible signals, and you will then be able to view the tape of your choice. Then why is the multi-system VCR required? It is required because it can play any standard tape, though, cannot convert the signals to a TV compatible standard, if the TV uses a different standard other than the signal received. However, any blessings are never without its corresponding curses and here the drawback is that, converted copies of videotapes cannot be made even with such combination of multi-system VCR and multi-system TV. The plus point is that, there is no degradation of the video standards. One solution of the problem could be a multi-system TV-VCR combo but it is not recommended since they often come with low quality.

Multi-system VCR - characteristics

Ordinary VCR requires a couple of video heads. One of them is to record and the other is to playback the tape. Sometimes one or two additional heads are also provided for certain special affects like slow motion, freezing, fast forward and such other features. Inventors are constantly exploring the possibilities of modification of video heads to develop the picture quality. In old days VCRs did not have the system of playing a tape from the last stop point and the tapes were going back to the start. Modern technology has made it possible. Most models now have a pre-programmed universal remote to control TV; cable boxes in addition to the VCR provided they are of identical brands.

Choosing between the types

Normally, all VCRs allow you to select between a few different recording speeds. While playback speeds are more or less in-built, others can be manipulative. A VCR that records only on two speeds can play back all three speeds. A tape that moves faster will provide better quality despite its higher speed. Understanding the attitude of many people, recording at the slowest speed at a time-shift pattern, the major companies have developed special 19-micron video heads to address such requirements. Among the leading such companies are Toshiba, Sharp, Mitsubisi, Samsung, and LG. These heads allow improved picture quality with slow play back.

The indexing system

Many VCR records an electronic index code, which is tagged to the start of your recording sessions. When you make an index search, the VCR stops at each index mark and plays back selected seconds of recording. There are also VCRs where you can directly go to a specific index mark starting the play back from there on. The indexing system allows the viewer to search forward or backward through the tape. Such searches may be made at high speed or a comparatively lower speed. A frame-by-frame viewing is possible too.

The clock

New models have their own clock system. The time signal is sent from local PBS station. It is not necessary of resetting the clock time under any circumstances including a power failure. In most of the modern type VCRs the auto clock system is now available.

Recording TV programs with your multi-system VCR

At times you may like to have your favourite TV programs recorded with your VCR. In this case, programming will be important and you will be happy to know that all multi-system VCRs can be programmed at will to record the program you like to watch later. One such basic programming proposal is a built-in clock timer while other complex ones can allow you recording of multiple programs over a period of 28 days or more. There are of course, various claims in this regard, like the one claiming a recording of eight programs over a one hundred year period. There are certain programming operations with which you can record the same program every day or every week. Sometimes the VCR has an option, there-by, you record any TV program using a number listed on the TV/newspaper program guide. Some VCRs with this option, allow change of channels on cable box or TV with a mouse click, or an infrared transmitter, located on top of the VCR.

The Sound system

A specific characteristic that makes most multi-system VCR more attractive is the Hi-fi (High fidelity) sound system. Earlier VCRs had a low-pitched sound, but today a real stereophonic sound is available with these HI-Fi systems. This becomes more appropriate since most of the movies and videos today have hi-fi sound tracks encoded with Dolby Surround system.

Why multi-system VCR

When some one questions that how can you play videotape from anywhere in the world without having their format converted for compatibility, the immediate answer is a multi-system VCR. And where ordinary multi-system VCR does not serve the purpose, there is the converting multi-system VCR since they have the ability to convert one standard to another.

About the Author:

John Dulaney is an international traveler and an expert in overseas audio video equipment and cell phone communications when traveling abroad. His website Planetomni, carries thousands of multisystem TVs, VCRs, region free DVD players at deeply discounted prices. Planetomni also offers a large selection of prepaid cell phones, cell phone rental and satellite phones for rent or purchase.

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