How to Play UK VHS Tapes on US VHS Tape Players
By Hoot Gibson
If you want to play VHS tapes from the United Kingdom on tape players in the United States, first you must know that the analog video format in the U.S. is different than that in the UK. The U.S. uses the NTSC standard, while the UK uses the PAL standard. VHS tapes that were recorded in the PAL format will not play on standard VHS players in U.S. unless the video signal is converted. There are different ways to have this signal conversion accomplished.
Connect the PAL player to the converter box. Hook up three RCA cables to the audio and video "Out" jacks of your PAL VHS tape player. Connect the other ends of the same RCA cables into the corresponding audio and video "Input" jacks of the PAL to NTSC converter box.
Connect the converter box to the U.S. VHS Player. Plug the ends of the other three RCA cable ends into the audio and video "Output" jacks of the converter box. Connect the other ends of the same RCA cables into the corresponding audio and video "Input" jacks of the U.S. VHS tape player.
Hook up a television (or monitor). Connect the remaining three RCA cables from the "Output" jacks of the U.S. VHS player. Put the remaining ends into the corresponding audio and video "Input" jacks of the TV. Set the TV to channel 3.
Copy the PAL VHS to the U.S. format. Put the PAL tape into the PAL player and a blank VHS tape into the U.S. VHS Player. Set the U.S. VHS player to "Record." Set the PAL (UK) VHS player to "Play." Make sure all equipment is plugged in and powered on. Review the signal on the TV. When complete, rewind the copied "NTSC" tape and play it to verify it was recorded.
References
Tips
- RCA cables also are known as phono cables.
Warnings
- Video quality slightly degrades when copied.
Writer Bio
Hoot Gibson is a writer and experienced videographer. He currently writes informative articles for online publications. Gibson is a certified technology specialist with the International Communications Industry Association.