I just went into world-import.com and it says a PAL/NTSC convertor is better than having a DVD player with a built-in one:

http://world-import.com/info.htm#dvd-pal-to-ntsc

I also read that not having an HDTV will impair the playability of a PAL DVD on an NTSC TV.

Insights, anyone? Thanks.

It may be true that a stand-alone video converter would be better than a built-in one, i personally never used a stand-alone one, so can't tell you my experience.

I think mainly what they are talking about it how some converters (especially ones built-in to players) don't properly convert the picture and don't offer scaling. Most of the available PAL > NTSC players aren't perfect, though there are some that are great. You just have to do your research before you buy one. I personally have a JVC SA602 (i think thats the correct model #, I'm at work and can't double check it) and a CyberHome 500. Both do perfect PAL > NTSC conversion, no problems what so ever. I think some of the cheaper players with it built in like some Malatas, Sampos and Apexs warp the picture.

The HDTV thing I never heard though, so I don't know. I have a regular TV and, once again, have had no problems playing my PAL discs.

Malata's do a flawless job of translating PAL. With the X/Y scaling option, there is also the ability to fine tune the picture, if need be. And I would not consider them 'cheap' either. I don't know how their newer models are, but I---and a lot of others on this board--own the N966 model which is an incredible progressive scan, all region NTSC/PAL converting player.

Correct. It is wrong to group Malatas with those others that do not do the conversion correctly. (I have the Malata 996 also, as well as a Cyber Home 500 I just bought.)

I have an old video converter that I used to use to convert PAL tapes to NTSC. It did a respectable job.

When I got into DVD and bought the Apex, I found that the converter only did a so-so almost VHS quality conversion (but still better than the APEX conversion.

The Malata, Cyberhome and certain JVC players have elminated the need for a separate converter.

My bad . I remember reading of problems with some Malatas, maybe I am imagining that.

None of the convertors can convert PAL to NTSC nearly as well as the Mediamatics chip equiped DVD players. No contest, people. Don't throw good money away.

Hmm...no, not into animation. Though I'm sorry to hear about that. I've never had any problems with all the PAL discs I have---16x9 and not---so I'm not all familiar with the problems you and other people obviously are experiencing with animation....Has anyone ever figured out an answer to that? I know, what a year, two, ago on the board when the 966 came out there was that immense discussion thread lead by Matt Stevens and others. Was that every brought into light then? Anyway, sorry to make you laugh, codefree.

The PAL animation is video encoded, which gives the Malata hickups. It is good at converting FILM encoded PAL DVD's. Thankfully very few titles are encoded as Video.

The Cyberhome 500 is better at Video encoded PAL, but the tradeoff's are there. Look up the threads at the Nerd-Out forum for answers on that.