Russian VCR Tapes...???

[RickM]

We got some russian vcr casette tapes in the mail recently and thet don't work here in USA vcr's...
I read a long time back something about this problem but couldn't find it in the archieves.
Anyone know a remedy to using these tapes here

[James B]

... in response to Russian VCR Tapes..., posted by RickM on Feb 28, 2002

Rick,

The Russian tapes are in SECAM and require they be converted via a commercial company or if you are planning on doing this often or possibly sending video's back to Russia/Ukraine, it might be advantageous to purchase a Samsung 5000V system.  With this system, you don't need to buy a worldwide television and it can play all tapes on your regular television.  Also, if you use your camcorder and want to download your tapes onto a video cassette through this system, you can specify that you would like it converted to SECAM format and send back to the family.

[Oatmeal]

... in response to Russian VCR Tapes..., posted by RickM on Feb 28, 2002

All you have to do is find a video editing company near you and have them convert the tape into American format.  It is really easy and doesn't cost much.  I would think that your wife would really appreciate your effort and might make a nice gift for Woman's day (March 8th)

[RickM]

... in response to Russian VCR Tapes..., posted by RickM on Feb 28, 2002

"Sorry honey...They don't work here"... )
Thanks for the input everyone...

[Stan B]

... in response to Russian VCR Tapes..., posted by RickM on Feb 28, 2002

calling a camera/film developing store, thats what we did for about $20.  Now we have a friend that has a converter and it works great.

[BubbaGump]

... in response to Russian VCR Tapes..., posted by RickM on Feb 28, 2002

You can look for a video place and see if they can convert it for you.

[oldbutspry]

... in response to Russian VCR Tapes..., posted by RickM on Feb 28, 2002

Here is a link to a VCR that will do what you want:

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1334908691

It's pricey - how bad do you want to watch that tape?  To see all the VCR's like this go to ebay's tv section and do a search in titles and descriptions for SECAM.  You can't search for PAL because that "Paypal" method of paying will cause most everything to come back as a result.

Hope this helps,

John

[oldbutspry]

... in response to Link to VCR, posted by oldbutspry on Feb 28, 2002

N/T

[oldbutspry]

... in response to Russian VCR Tapes..., posted by RickM on Feb 28, 2002

We use the NTSC system and they probably use the PAL system.  You need a PAL VCR and a PAL TV to play the tapes.  I've seen PAL VCR's that will play on NTSC TV's but that seems to be a rarity (this capability is clearly stated if it is included as it is a major selling point).  You can also buy "multi-system" TV's and VCR's that are both PAL and NTSC (and sometimes SECAM as well) but they are significantly more costly.  It's been quite a while since I had to deal with any of this so I might be a little out of date but I doubt this has changed much.