European HDTV compatibility

Would it be possible to purchase a HDTV ready TV in Europe and use it
in the US (with power transformer)? We are temporarily living in the
NL and would like to purchase a TV and upon moving back to the US in
about 2 yrs, we don't want to invest in something that won't be
compatible with HDTV in the US.

Thank you.

I would first make sure you get Multi-System HDTV since Europe is PAL
and the US is NTSC. If you made your purchase from AAFES, they sell
TVs with switchable voltage. Operating a TV on a transformer for an
extended time will most likely not be good for the set and it will eat
your electricity and raise your bill.

wrote:
I would first make sure you get Multi-System HDTV since Europe is PAL
and the US is NTSC. If you made your purchase from AAFES, they sell
TVs with switchable voltage. Operating a TV on a transformer for an
extended time will most likely not be good for the set and it will eat
your electricity and raise your bill.

True on the multistandard. Not true on the transformer. Just make sure
the transformer is rated more than the set draws. For a 200 watt set
I'd use a 400-500 watt transformer. Power loss would be pennies per
year with no significant heating issues.

We use transformers at work for PAL standard machines intended for
Europe with no problems on 60Hz. On 50 Hz in Europe, the transformer
would be a little more lossy but not a problem. The transformers ARE
rated for 50/60Hz operation.

BTW, HDTV is not NTSC or PAL. The SD tuner would be but the
component/HDMI/DVI inputs would be 50/60 Hz rate. I truly don't know
what the compatibility issues would be but over the years, it's been
easier to get an NTSC compatible set in Europe than to get a PAL
compatible set in the US.

Good luck on this.
GG

wrote:
I would first make sure you get Multi-System HDTV since Europe is PAL
and the US is NTSC. If you made your purchase from AAFES, they sell
TVs with switchable voltage. Operating a TV on a transformer for an
extended time will most likely not be good for the set and it will eat
your electricity and raise your bill.


US digital TV is not NTSC, it is ATSC.
--
Bill R.

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