Hi all,

I am about to go on an electronics spending spree to fit my new house out with what I need in the US.

Problem is, I want at least some of it to be compatible when I return home to Australia in 2 years.

Any suggestions where I can buy TVs, DVD players, DVD recorders (if needed) etc that will handle 110V and 240V, and broadcast in PAL and NTSC signals?

Also, I presume if I buy a PS3 in the USA I won't be able to use it back in Australia without some form of modification? Is that possible/easy?

Any other advice on what I should buy? I have to sign up for cable/satellite tv and I note that some of those packages include a HDD recording capability. Should I buy a separate HDD?

Well, as far as the devices themselves, I'd consider planning on NOT taking them back to Australia with you. It might be easier to just sell them before you go, and that's also that much less stuff you need to ship to the other side of the planet later on.

For the 110V vs 240V, I'd guess you'd probably be stuck dealing with converters if there was something you'd want to take with you. I know a computers' power supply generally can be switched from one voltage to the other, but I doubt the same is true with a PS3 (though I don't really know).

Plus I don't know of an easy way to handle the PAL to NTSC conversion. There probably is one, I just don't know.

Also you also have to consider issues with DVD region codes, which is different between the USA and AUS. I'm not sure if either Bluray or HD-DVD use region codes.

As far as satellite TV, I'd say just sign up for one of their DVRs. I have a DirecTV HD-DVR and it works great now (had some problems originally but they keep updating the software). Since you won't really be able to use the DVR in Australia, there's no reason to buy a Tivo separately.

maybe you should step down some wiring, I mean the electrical wiring in the house and run a few new outlets. It will work just fine if you either hire an electrician or do it yourself after careful study. In other words, know exactly how to safely step down the power. It would be the cheapest way to go. (I guess) I mean, SK has a good point about the frieght bill. I know Avvie had to pay bucks to get his stuff off the lower 48... so at least consider what it would cost you either way, and if you buy something that you want to keep that is only gonna run 110, just know that you can make your own 110.

As for that signal and region stuff, I can't recommend a particular set that could work either place or whatever. Good luck.

When I got my laptop in the USA all I needed to do was change the cord that led from power to power pack (that rectangular thing).

However TVs, DVDs, PS3s etc don't have these so really this was a useless post, ignore me.

Go to like Bestbuy for everything

I dont see ne need to change something on a PS3 tho

Different volts (power) are used can blow up the device.

Go to like Bestbuy for everything

I dont see ne need to change something on a PS3 tho
their voltage on most everything is the kind you would find on a dryer hook-up. you wouldn't plug your ps3 up where you plug up your dryer, would you?;)

Thanks guys, I have found a couple of websites that sell multi player tvs and stuff. Best Buy and Circuit City both basically said they have absolutely nothing that can help me.

Buy the Direct TV package or you'll be watching the Rams and Cheifs. I live in St. Peters Mo. (suburb of St. Louis). I have Direct TV. Stop by on Sundays and watch the game.

Sooo howd everything go did you get what you needed?

As far as satellite TV, I'd say just sign up for one of their DVRs. I have a DirecTV HD-DVR and it works great now (had some problems originally but they keep updating the software). Since you won't really be able to use the DVR in Australia, there's no reason to buy a Tivo separately.

I went and got DirecTV and got a HD box, a dtandard DVR box and a standard box. (3 kids need lots of alternatives). problem is I have 3 widescreen TVs and I can only get the HD box to give me a widescreen picture. The other two give me a 4:3 ratio picture, which I can stretch to be a 16:9 ratio by adjusting my TV, but doesn't automatically expand to 16:9 for shows that are in widescreen format.

Surely even the standard DirecTV boxes give a digital signal that works on a widescreen TV right? Am I missing something?

The DVR's signal only sends the 16:9 to the TV so you can't change it to 4:3 on the TV. But you can set the DVR to show the picture stretched across the whole screen. Assuming you have the same model as I do, just go to the menu, setup, and display. Under there, you can choose from pillar box (with bars on the sides), stretch, or crop.

I have a Standard Def DVR and a separate High Def box. The thing that I am struggling with is that the only channels that seem to broadcast in widescreen are the HD channels. The standard def channels don't broadcast in Widescreen at all (which I find very strange). Is this unique to DirecTV?

I don't have a SD DVR on an HDTV so I can't really answer the question. I would think that the HDTV would let you adjust the video from the SD DVR. Could the cable you use to connect the HDTV and DVR make a difference? You might have to call DirecTV tech support to find out (assuming you haven't already). Either that or replace the DVR with an HR20 (their current HD DVR)

Alright, one more question (I nearly screamed trying to get telephone support from the DirecTV technician).

If I subscribe to Sunday Ticket do I need my HD receiver (it's not a DVR) to be plugged into a phone line as well? I think I read this somewhere, but when the technician installed our DirecTV devices, none of them were plugged into phone lines.

http://www.modchipstore.com/PS2-Slide-Card-Swap-Magic-Combo-16158.html

Anyone know how this works? Would this allow me to play US bought PS2 games on my PAL PS2?

DirecTV receivers don't have to be plugged in to a phone line to receive info. They only have to be plugged in long enough to activate them. I don't believe you have to do anything over the phone to allow you to use Sunday Ticket, HBO, or any subscription content.

If you buy movies on pay per view, you will have to connect them so they can report the charges. You could buy a few movies and never actually pay for them if you never plug it in, but eventually your receiver will cut you off until it reports the charges.

There could be other exceptions to this, but none that I know of.

http://www.modchipstore.com/PS2-Slide-Card-Swap-Magic-Combo-16158.html

Anyone know how this works? Would this allow me to play US bought PS2 games on my PAL PS2?

That's what it claims.

http://www.modchipstore.com/PS2-Slide-Card-Swap-Magic-Combo-16158.html

Anyone know how this works? Would this allow me to play US bought PS2 games on my PAL PS2?

Yes it would.