FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
In our effort to save your precious time, we have listed down certain frequently asked questions about our products, their selection, usage etc. apart from answers to many generic questions. We hope that the FAQs listed by us would address most of your queries. Any other questions? Email Us or Call us 773-338-5460
- About Voltage Converters / Transformers
- Region Free & Code Free DVD Player Information
- Multi-System Televisions Buying Guide
How do I choose the right transformer
On the back of your appliance, you will find a label describing the power requirements. You should see a label describing the Wattage (W) or the Amperage (A) of the appliance. Once noted, choose a voltage transformer / converter which can handle a higher amount of wattage then your device is rated at. Certain devices which are motor based may require additional power to start up then indicated (know as Surge), in this case always add an extra 20% to the power requirements of your device. Check out our VOLTAGE CONVERTERS page.
What kind of converter do I need for a TV or Monitor?
To connect a television to a converter you must choose a converter more powerful that what is indicated at the rear of your TV set, because it creates a surge when it is turned on. We would recommend the THG750 for any TV or Monitor.
Can I connect an American 220 Volt Dryer or other 220 volt American products to a Transformer?
No you cannot connect an American 220 Volt Dryer or other 220 volt american products to a Transformer. Voltage Transformers are made to convert single phase 110 or 220 volt. American 220 volt consists of 2 phase of 110 volt and European 220 volt consists of 1 phase of 220 volt.
How to calculate the Wattage of an appliance?
If the label does not specify the wattage, but you know the Amperage (A), you can calculate it using the following formula: Amps (A) * voltage (V) = Watts
Example:
3 Amps * 220 volt = 660 watts
3 Amps * 110 volt = 330 watts
Can I use several appliances on the same transformer?
Yes as long as you don't exceed the Wattage capacity of the voltage converter. A "surge protector" is required. You can find them on this web-site as well.
What is the difference between a voltage converter and a voltage regulator?
A voltage regulator functions as a voltage converter as well as a voltage stabilizer.
A voltage stabilizer will stabilize the electricity to fixed current.
This unit is usually used in countries where the voltage currency is not stable.
The voltage regulator will stabilize a voltage fluctuation between 75v-130v to 110v (+- 4%).
The voltage regulator will stabilize a voltage fluctuation between 180v-260v to 220v (+- 4%).
Do voltage converters convert the cycle (Hz)?
All voltage converters only convert the voltage and not the cycle, however most appliances and electronics will function properly with them.
North American 110-120 volt electricity is generated at 60 Hz. (Cycles) Alternating Current. Most foreign 220-240 volt electricity is generated at 50 Hz. (Cycles) Alternating Current. This difference in cycles may cause the motor in your 60 Hz. North American appliance to operate slightly slower when used on 50 Hz. foreign electricity. This cycle difference will also cause analog clocks and timing circuits that use Alternating Current as a timing base to keep incorrect time. Most modern electronic equipment including battery chargers, computers, printers, stereos, tape and CD players, VCR/DVD players, etc. will not be affected by the difference in cycles.
What does "step-up/down transformer" mean?
Step-up/Down transformers are used to convert electricity from 220V/240V AC to 110/120 V AC (step down) or 110V/120V AC to 220V/240V AC (Step-up). These type of transformers are grounded and with build-in fuses, which provides safety against electrical shock and demage.
Region Free & Code Free DVD Player Information
What is a Region free DVD player?
A Region free DVD player is a DVD player that is capable of playing DVD discs from around the world. DVD discs are encoded into 6 different regions. Normal (meaning non-Code free)
Why are there different DVD Disc regions?
Motion picture studios in the USA wanted to control the release of movies around the world using DVD region codes.. Movies are released on DVD at different times around the world, typically America and Canada first, Australia and Japan 6 months later, and Europe 12 months after US release. In some instances, DVD movies are available for purchase in America and Canada before they are released in European cinemas. Due to the high quality of DVD and the movie release system used by Hollywood, 6 regions were establish to prevent people from watching Region 1 movies before they were released on Regions 2-6.
DVD Region Locking is a system used to control which DVD movies play on which DVD Players. The regions are broken down as follow:
- Region 1 - The U.S., U.S. territories and Canada
- Region 2 - Europe, Japan, the Middle East, Egypt, South Africa, Greenland
- Region 3 - Taiwan, Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong
- Region 4 - Mexico, South America, Central America, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Caribbean
- Region 5 - Russia (okay, former Russia), Eastern Europe, India, most of Africa, North Korea, Mongolia
- Region 6 - China
What does this mean to the end consumer?
This means that movies from Region 1 (USA & Canada) WILL NOT play on a DVD player regions 2-6. Effectively Region 1 discs play only on Region 1 DVD players, Region 2 discs play only on Region 2 DVD players and so on.
TV Systems and Code Free DVD Players
TV systems can be broken down into 3 categories:
* NTSC
* PAL
* SECAM
USA & Canada & Japan use the NTSC television system, the majority of Europe - with the exception of France, use PAL. If you purchase a PAL European DVD movie you will not be able to watch the movie unless your television can play PAL. A further example would be purchasing a NTSC movie and trying to watch it on a PAL only TV - this will not work.
If you do not own a multisystem TV you can however use a Region Free DVD Player.
I currently have a DVD player. How do I know if mine is Code free?
Simply attempt to view an overseas DVD to see whether it will play or not.
How do you tell what region code a dvd disc is?
The Region Code is usually specified on the back of the individual DVD packages, either with a Regional Coding logo of a globe with the region number superimposed over it, or specifically spelled out. For example, while currently-released New Line and Warner DVD titles use the globe logo & number scheme, MGM/UA titles state: "This disc has been encoded for Region 1: The United States, U.S. Territories and Canada." In the cast of Lumivision's discs, they are labelled "Available worldwide," which means that the discs contain no regional coding and will play on any player in any country.
Can I play CDs in Region Free DVD players?
Most DVD players do have the ability to play CDs. Consult the specifications on each model to find one suitable for you.
Can Region Free DVD players play CD-Rs or CD-RWs?
A CD-R and CD-RW is basically a recordable CD. However, whether or not a DVD player capable of playing a regular CD can play a CD-R depends on the quality of the CD-R. Some CD-Rs recorded on higher quality CD burners can play perfectly. However, if you used a lower quality CD burner to make your CD-Rs and CD-RWs, then there's a chance they won't play. Also, a CD-RW (as opposed to a CD-R) have lower light reflection, so CD-RWs are even less likely to play. There's basically no guarantee that a CD-R or CD-RW will be playable.
What is RCE?
Recently, the Motion Picture Association of American (MPAA) has developed a new system called RCE (Regional Code Enhancing) which will be included on almost all new region 1 DVD releases. This new technology was created to prevent consumers with Code free DVD players from watching DVD discs purchased in North America. From now on, most region 1 DVD discs will be including this technology. As such, you may find in the future that some DVD discs bought in the United States will not work on your Code free DVD player. Currently, there is no word on whether or not this technology will be included on other regions.
Multi-System Televisions Buying Guide
What is a multisystem TV?
A multisystem TV is a TV capable of receiving and displaying different video systems like PAL, SECAM and NTSC.
Will multisystem TVs work anywhere in the world?
You'll be able to operate a multisystem TV in 99% of the world. Their dual voltage design allows them to be plugged into either a 110 voltage source or a 220 voltage source. In some cases, the plug on the television will not fit your country's outlet, so an inexpensive plug-adapter will be needed.
Why are multisystem TVs different sizes than regular American TVs?
Multisystem televisions are generally intended for the overseas market where they use a different method of measuring their TVs. In North America, the measurement is only the visible part of the television tube. The casing of televisions generally cover a small portion of the tube. With multisystem TVs, the measurement covers the entire tube including the area covered by the televisions casing. So even though a multisystem television and an American television look the same size, the specifications may indicate that the screen on the multisystem TV is larger. Also, standard television screen measurement is done diagonally from the upper left corner to the lower right corner.
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