UK electrical goods in Barbados
 

I'm about to relocate to Barbados, and would welcome some advice on whether it is worth bringing my UK purchased TV, DVD, HiFi etc. I know that both UK and Barbados operate at 50Hz, but beyond that I'm pretty clueless to be honest.

Re: UK electrical goods in Barbados
 

You'll need conversions for the actual plugs - the outlets here are the same as North America (and Japan for that matter).

Good luck to you.

Re: UK electrical goods in Barbados
 

If you live in a house with dual voltage your UK products will work (110 and 220), but if I recall correctly the TV systems are different - I can't remember the techie reason why, but I don't think the TV will work (someone correct me if I'm wrong). Also your DVD player will work, but will be set for UK DVDs only - which is no bad thing, but unless it has a setting which you can change to US it won't play the US DVDs.

Hi fi will be fine, as will hairdryers etc., but if you move into a house without dual voltage they won't work without a transformer.

If you do have a house with dual voltage I would suggest bringing out a kettle - they're ridiculously overpriced here.

Re: UK electrical goods in Barbados
 

This is true, but not to worry. DVD players aren't that expensive here (you can get one for $100-$120bbd at Pricesmart or Courts). We just bought one because of the region code thing, and it's multi-regional so we can play any DVD on it.

Re: UK electrical goods in Barbados
 

Thanks grassisgreener - what I was really asking about was whether a UK YV set up for PAL (so I'm told) will work given the signal is NTSC. Not so concerned about the voltage issue as that is solvable, but if a PAL TV won't acept the signal, then I won't bring it over. Any thoughts?

Re: UK electrical goods in Barbados
 

Hi, that was the techie reason I was looking for - PAL isn't compatible here.

Re: UK electrical goods in Barbados
 

Hey, my first post here!

You can actually buy PAL to NSTC converters online - they're not cheap however.

Easiest thing is just check compatibility - as many TV's are dual frequency, the other factor to consider is - does your TV operate as a PC Monitor - if so most cable boxes will facilitate that ...... that leads to another thing - if possible buy yourself a Bajan Dreambox which allow you to watch the cable over here FOC. Maybe I'm not allowed to say that ... OOPSS!!!

I also brought with me a couple of step-up adaptors (120v to 240v) from Maplins they're about 30/40 quid and work a dream. Most houses in Barbados do have 240 in them - but you'll need an engineer to run you the extensions you need ... not that expensive to do.

On the DVD front - the only issue you need to check is that it is multi-region as here in Barbados we're US region not UK which is different - but again most DVD players nowadays are multi-region but just check to be on safe side.

I left my 2 Plasmas in London - well sold em for peanuts - as I wasn't sure they'd make the trip - they're not that expensive to buy here ... PriceSmart has good deals so you'd get a decent 42 incher for about $3000-$4000 ...

Hope that helps!

Q

Re: UK electrical goods in Barbados
 

I was hoping someone else would chip in, thanks for clarifying Mad Q.

Mad Q - interesting comment about the Bajan Dreambox thing where can you get one from and is it easy to work?

Re: UK electrical goods in Barbados
 

The dreambox is on the QT...;)

Re: UK electrical goods in Barbados
 

it can't be on the QT when family member of a former big up at the national TV group has one. anyway.. they know it's there, and they jam the signal every so often, you just have to get a new code (I don't know anything about it other than what I've heard). I'm not sure it's worth it really.. 50 something channels and nothing much to watch..

Re: UK electrical goods in Barbados
 

It's worth it - alright, you can buy them in the UK from a place called www. dreamboxshop .co.uk - I think it is ....

When you get it here - you can eother have it so they re-program it for you here - or you can have it done once so that everytime signal is scramled you eneter a code via the remote control ... that's the easiest way.

The way i see it MCTV - which I have is $129 a month for nonsense - why not have it for free???? Plus - you get all the PPV stuff as well for free ... to me it makes sense - when I leave where I am - I'll be getting one for sure.

Q

Re: UK electrical goods in Barbados
 

It is only responsible to point out tho that its not exactly legal - they have threatened fines but you take that risk

Serendipidy

Re: UK electrical goods in Barbados
 

yes it is illegal, basically just like all those phone services that bypass Cable and Wireless.. for long distance calling. but people do it on a daily basis..