This is a topic close to my heart as well. I've spent over a thousand quid over the last two years buying decent AV stuff, and now my GF tells me she wants us to go back to her home in Ontario!!

Unless I'm going to bother buying a transformer (I've heard these are pretty noisy - can anyone confirm this?) then most of it is going to have to be sold at ridiculous bargain prices.

So far my DVD player is the only item that I know will work - I'd advise anybody to check what power theirs needs. Mine can take 110-240v/50-60Hz. I also de-regionalised it through a code from the internet (got some discs from Canada and the US) and on the menu settings it can be set for NTSC output. It would be worth anybody fretting about their DVD players ability to function in Canada to check these things.

My VCR, TV, AV amp, Hi-Fi amp, CD player, tape-deck, turntable and AV subwoofer, unless somebody tells me that transformers are the dog's, will be sold.

Don't forget though - speakers are okay, right?

ok my dvd plazer is 110v/230v so i can plug it straight in the wall. it is multi region soit playsall disks.
now problem is when we bought the new tv it comes on the screen black and white not colour, can anyone help.

Are you in Canada?

Check your DVD's manual or look in the on screen menu options. On mine there's the option of changing the output to NTSC. Otherwise, your TV might need a bit of tweaking, tuning-wise or with its AV input menu options or simply swap the SCART socket the player's plugged into. Did it work fine on the TV you had before? If so, it could be that this is the problem. Here in the UK if I unplug the SCART plugs at the back of the TV and then put them back in but not as they were before (eg-the VCR SCART into AV1, DVD into AV2 instead of the other way round) I get a black and white picture on one or the other for some reason.

If that still doesn't work then afraid to say, your DVD player might just not be NTSC compatible...

In Toronto, don't even bother going to Radio Shack for a step up transformer. You will have better selection and price at electronics stores run by Pakistanis or Indians at the malls in Brampton, maybe even Etobicoke. Many of these store owners know all about 110/220, whereas Radio Shack employees generally know only what the box says.

Most of these electronic stores will also have multisystem tv sets, dvd players, vcr, etc. On note of caution though: Although most multisystem tv sets have multi-system tuners, the majority of VCRs-although they can output in multi-system can record in only one system and the tuners are usually only for a single system!

I have a friend from Europe who runs a stereo system, a 450 litre chest freezer, and a 160 litre upright refrigerator/ freezer on a single 400 W step up transformer which cost 90CAD. That was about 6 years ago and several electricians had told him that because the appliances all were designed for 50Hz, that the motors would not last more than a couple of weeks. The store owner in Brampton told him that was rubbish and he would have no problems.

I'm presuming that sockets on the transformers are designed for two-pin plugs? Would it be a case of cutting off the UK 3 pin plug from the appliance and just sticking on a US/Canadian spec plug?
Is your mate's transformer noisy?

I have a 100W Step-up transformer for my UK stuff and it's dead quiet. Mind you this is just a transformer by itself which I wired up myself. If you buy the all-in-one transformers with the surge protection, fuses, etc they might be louder.

The only thing that you might have problem with is the HI-FI stuff if there is a lot of electronics in it cause the different electricity cycles can mess things up with LED displays, etc. Anything that depends on motors running at a certain speed can be messed up too, but its not always the case either. We have a CD player from OZ that works fine here in Canada.

yeah, have you seen how much 'BBC America' charges for British programs on dvd over here!!!

I guess they want to empty the pockets of north american fans rather than us brits who are just trying to watch our shows!!!!

actually on the same point:
why do they 'Americanize' every British show? Coupling for one!!

regards

This particular transformer has two output sockets. Each is a three-prong American style. The unit is quiet. He has it located in a storage room and runs two hidden extension cords to his appliances. The cords he brought from Europe but put American 3-prong plug on the other end. He has another transformer which is a step up and step down but it has only two prong so he uses just the one.

Ha ha!!
Precisely why I'd be after bringing my video collection over with me, if I can get a multiformat VCR!

I could make myself popular with "Mr Lee's Comedy Soireés". Bring some beer and watch all your favourite British Sitcoms on video at my house! What a great social event it would be for expats!!

I bought some 500w transformers from Voltage Converters They are quiet when on and are relatively cheap. They are shipped free (orders over US$100) from Montreal so no taxes to pay only the exchange to C$.
I have one on a UK spec Sony TV, a Bose Lifestyle music system and a couple of other things. Anything without a high power motore works fine. The TV is linked to a satellite system and the cables have to use the front jacks, other than that its perfect.
You need to put a North American plug on but that is cheap and easy.

If anyone could give me any contacts for these electgrical transforms, got a tv and a few games consoles to run.
Would like the Canadaina contacts, possibly Brampton.
I live in Winnipeg and dont want to pay the customs charge, which is incedently stupid.
So if you guys can help please.
CHeers

Voltage Convertors (mentioned above) is quite a good place but I'm sure your local phone book would be the best source of little electronics dealers. Just ask for a step-up transformer. You will probably need a high wattage one to run the tv so you need to look at the tv specs and see how much wattage it needs, add it to the games console wattage and then add about 20% on top of that for safety overhead.

If it tells you how many amps it uses you need to use a forumula to convert it to watts. Click here for an online version -> http://www.voltageconverters.com/faq.htm#2

Hope that helps.

I know about voltGE CONVERTERS BUT WOULD LIKE NOT TO HAVE TO PAY THE EXTRA IMPORT TAX. CAN ANYONE PASS ME ON SOME TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR THE OTHER SHOPS SO ICAN PHONE PLEASE. CANT FIND ANY ON INTERNET AND CUASE BASED IN WINNIPEG GOT NO WAY OF USING DIRECTORY INQUIRES BECAUSE DONT KNOW ANY NAMES ETC. NEED YOUR HELP URGENT GUYS. CHEERS

... Sorry for hijacking this thread, but you guys seem to know what you're talking about...

Is there anything wrong with me bringing over my PS2 and UK TV so that I can use it purely for playing my UK DVDs and UK PS2 games? (Not for watching Canada TV etc)... Obviously I'd get a power converter... but that would work wouldn't it?

Cheers!

Wendy

Hi
A very good option, but you will need to get games for it from uk. if you want the latest. So eventually you will need to convert . And the game prices are cheaper. Also TV very heavy and fragile. Would look at cost to ship and search for cost of new and weigh up options over new, warranty. when I was there I found elctronic goods better priced than uk.
Canada Girl