NTSC to PAL

[Hrudio]

Good news: Uncle Sam is paying for me to spend a year abroad (I have a Fulbright to Slovakia and the Czech Republic).

Potentially bad news: I'd like to take my Wii overseas with me, but I need to determine a viable way of using it.

Since I have a North American Wii, it's NTSC output, which means it'll look like crap if I try plugging it into a European (PAL) television.

At the moment, I'm thinking something like this NTSC-to-PAL converter might be my best bet.

http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-...al-70-1au.html

Has anyone used one of these before? Do they work OK?

My other options, as far as I can tell, would be to bring a U.S. TV abroad (which, unless I want to pay hundreds on shipping it, means finding buying a cheap, small -- probably like a 15" LCD TV -- set that can fit in luggage). Or, to buy a portable DVD player (which means trying to play on at best a 9" screen).

Alternatively, I've read that supposedly most newer European TVs handle both PAL and NTSC inputs.

Anyway, does anyone have any experience with this issue and any advice? I realize this is probably a crapshoot, but I thought someone might have some actual experience doing something similar.

[rinkrat]

Is wii HDTV compatible. You might be able to use hdmi cable and go hi-def and avoid the conflict.

[Mr. Irreverent]

Your best bet would be to buy a TV that can handle both, that way when you are done playing wii you will be able to watch sweet european programming. You will also need an adapter to be able to plug in your wii to get power...

On a positive note, atleast you are not going to France where they use SECAM. SECAM blows.

[Hrudio]

Wii works with HDTV (it requires a special cable, I believe, but it works, although I don't believe it outputs in HD).

Of course, the TV that will come with my apartment almost certainly won't be HD, since it looks to be about 13" or so.

[SirJW]

Instead of playing wi get out and enjoy the sites and sounds of a new place for the year.

[Hrudio]

Don't worry, that won't be a problem. I'll likely only be playing Wii on weekends, since I'll be out of the apartment most of the day (though stuck in archives and libraries).

The Wii is more to help make sure my wife doesn't get stir crazy, since she's going to be at home a lot more and doesn't speak the language(s).

[Unfiltered]

Don't forget to check for electricity concerns. I'm not sure if if there is a 220v adapter specifically for the Wii. I know there quite a few universal adapters. Just be sure it will work for that device.

EDIT: OH, and since that PAL-to-NTSC converter box needs power, you'll need to get an adapter for that, as well.