can i use a hdmi NTSC TV in the UK if I only watch digital TV through a satellite box?

Question

I have a Polaroid LCD TV that I want to take back to the UK. It is NTSC versus the UK PAL format but it has HDMI. I was told that if I plug in a satellite (digital TV) connection through HDMI, it should work as the format of the signal is not PAL. Is this true? Voltage is fine as it supports 110v and 240v. Thanks in advance

Answer 1

It would really help if your tv was a true "Multisystem" tv. I had to buy a multisystem tv when I lived in Europe and moved back to the States. NTSC and PAL are different and are not interchangeable. Most importantly your (U.S.) DVD player is Region 1 and won't play Region 2 (European) DVD's. Sometimes you can find a crack online that tells you how to punch in a code on your remote control that will make it Region-Free. You can also buy an PAL to NTSC converter (not vice versa):

http://www.yoho-games.com/PlayStation_2/VGA_Adapters/TV_Video_System_Converter_(PAL_to_NTSC)/5242/product.aspx

Back to your question...

Yes. Your HDTV will work in the UK with an HDMI cable.

Answer 2

You are confusing things which are totally different. The PAL and NTSC standards concern the number of scan lines on your TV and the timing of certain signals used to do that. Both are analog standards and have nothing at all to do with digital TV or HD. Signals are converted from one type to another all the time. Just you telling us the provider was Dish Network tells me instantly the signal was at one time digital even if your connection to the TV was via an analog connection. Of course in your case, the connection is HDMI which is a digital connection. >Stephan - There is no confusion at all. Let me make the question direct. How are the signals transmitted from set top box of a provider who provides only 2 channels in HD but the rest are in PAL. < Yes, there is MUCH confusion in your post, but to answer your question as restated... The cable is HDMI and all signals on that cable are digital, even if the content being shown is in PAL format. As I said orginally, in any current electrics design, signals are converted from analog to digital and vice versa all the time. To use something like HDMI does not imply there is no analog in the design, which is apparently what is tripping you up. A digital signal can be used to respresent what at one time was an analog signal. Try looking into Analog to Digital converters, signal processing, etc.

Answer 3

HDMI can't do any format conversions.
If your satellite box outputs PAL, HDMI will send PAL to the TV.
It is possible that the TV may support PAL playback, but i would not bet on it.