Taking US tv to UK
#1
Taking US tv to UK
OH and I will be moving to the UK early this Fall from the US. We are going through our electrical items trying to determine what to bring with us. Hubby just checked our tv, and found on the rear panel that it says it can take 120/240V, and can handle 50/60 and I know it can switched from NTSC over to PAL. It's a nice 40" Sony Bravia LCD HDTV, so if we can take it with us and save some money, that would be excellent. Oh, and we do have the original box we purchased it in, so we could ship it fairly easily. So would it be worth the hassle and $$ to ship it, or not?
FWIW, we are most likely going to be shipping less than 30cuft, as we don't plan on taking much with us.
FWIW, we are most likely going to be shipping less than 30cuft, as we don't plan on taking much with us.
#2
Re: Taking US tv to UK
How much does it weigh? Compare that with cost of new tele to see if it's worth it.
It won't be able to catch any over the air tele unless you got an external digital tuner box, but cable/satellite with a hdmi out would work fine with the tele.
It won't be able to catch any over the air tele unless you got an external digital tuner box, but cable/satellite with a hdmi out would work fine with the tele.
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Taking US tv to UK
I think the price of shipping goes by the volume - it won't be that big so maybe worth trying it.
Good luck with your move!
Good luck with your move!
#4
Re: Taking US tv to UK
Since it is dual voltage and PAL comptable sounds like you should bring it back. A coupe of caveats though.
- The tuner will definitely no work. You either need a freeview or satellite box
- There and 50 and 60 Hz variants of PAL. Could cause problems including;
no picture display, rolling picture display or partial picture display.
However, this will probably not be a problem if you use an HD box via an
HDMI connection.
If you go for a standard Sky+ rather than the HD Sky+ box then HDMI
connectors won't be available, so you will need a converter. Contact
Interneeds Direct. If they don't have it, then it can't be converted. Their
service is also first class.
- The tuner will definitely no work. You either need a freeview or satellite box
- There and 50 and 60 Hz variants of PAL. Could cause problems including;
no picture display, rolling picture display or partial picture display.
However, this will probably not be a problem if you use an HD box via an
HDMI connection.
If you go for a standard Sky+ rather than the HD Sky+ box then HDMI
connectors won't be available, so you will need a converter. Contact
Interneeds Direct. If they don't have it, then it can't be converted. Their
service is also first class.
#5
Re: Taking US tv to UK
Thanks for info. We planned on doing Freeview (maybe Sky later on when we have more funds). So it sounds like we will need to pick a converter (if we don't go with an HD box), and of course pick up a new power cord so we don't have to use a US->UK adapter. Looks like we could get that converter from the store Posi mentioned, but where could we pick up a new power cord?
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Taking US tv to UK
Thanks for info. We planned on doing Freeview (maybe Sky later on when we have more funds). So it sounds like we will need to pick a converter (if we don't go with an HD box), and of course pick up a new power cord so we don't have to use a US->UK adapter. Looks like we could get that converter from the store Posi mentioned, but where could we pick up a new power cord?
#7
Re: Taking US tv to UK
Wouldn't that be a safety hazard?
The end of the cord that plugs into the back of the tv looks just like the type of plug that goes into the power supply of a computer (it can be unplugged from the back of the tv). We're hoping that it would just be a matter of buying a new power cord that can be used in a typical UK socket. But I really have no idea where we could buy one (or even what it would be called in the UK).
The end of the cord that plugs into the back of the tv looks just like the type of plug that goes into the power supply of a computer (it can be unplugged from the back of the tv). We're hoping that it would just be a matter of buying a new power cord that can be used in a typical UK socket. But I really have no idea where we could buy one (or even what it would be called in the UK).
#8
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Taking US tv to UK
Wouldn't that be a safety hazard?
The end of the cord that plugs into the back of the tv looks just like the type of plug that goes into the power supply of a computer (it can be unplugged from the back of the tv). We're hoping that it would just be a matter of buying a new power cord that can be used in a typical UK socket. But I really have no idea where we could buy one (or even what it would be called in the UK).
The end of the cord that plugs into the back of the tv looks just like the type of plug that goes into the power supply of a computer (it can be unplugged from the back of the tv). We're hoping that it would just be a matter of buying a new power cord that can be used in a typical UK socket. But I really have no idea where we could buy one (or even what it would be called in the UK).
If it just comes out of the back like that you could probably just take it along to an electrical shop and ask them about a UK equivalent.
#9
Re: Taking US tv to UK
Thanks for info. We planned on doing Freeview (maybe Sky later on when we have more funds). So it sounds like we will need to pick a converter (if we don't go with an HD box), and of course pick up a new power cord so we don't have to use a US->UK adapter. Looks like we could get that converter from the store Posi mentioned, but where could we pick up a new power cord?
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 296
Re: Taking US tv to UK
sell the dam thing, save on shipping, buy yourself a nice uk tv with built-in free veiw, there in the uk you can get decent tvs at great prices.
Thats my 2 cents worth.
Thats my 2 cents worth.
#11
Re: Taking US tv to UK
Power cord should only be a couple of quid from any computer store, Comet, Dixons, Curry's etc.
#12
Re: Taking US tv to UK
Second hand value of TVs in not generally good. I would have thought even more so in the US where the new ones are so cheap. A new 40 inch Sony Bravia in the UK probabaly won't get you much change from £700 even shopping around whereas a free view box plus converter could cost less than £100. If you don't need the converter you can get a digital freeview box for £30.
#14
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: Chicago
Posts: 3
Re: Taking US tv to UK
Do you mind if you ask which Sony you have, I am going through the same process of deciding whether to ship my Sony back? (Moving back Mid Mar)
I have a 40” Sony Bravia KDL-40W5100, same thing with the mutliple power types however couple of considerations..
The power cable is a simple change (the cable is just a figure 8 cable, you can buy them easily in the UK). TV will auto detect the voltage.
I am not sure UK HDMI standard is the same as US HDMI standard. Can't seem to find a definitive answer on this with many conflicting messages. Everyone focusses on the NTSC v PAL which as already pointed out is not a consideration when using digital (mine is NTSC only).
However I have read enough information to make me wonder whether UK HDMI is significantly different to US HDMI. I believe there is a frequency difference (again a 50hz vs 60hz difference). I have even considered the Atlon convertor to convert US HDMI to UK HDMI. If you have managed to get confirmation that the HDMI is the same would very much appreciate the info.
Additionally my TV has internet connection, and I am not sure whether that will work from the UK (US apps).
Currently I am not taking the TV back as not certain it will work.
I have a 40” Sony Bravia KDL-40W5100, same thing with the mutliple power types however couple of considerations..
The power cable is a simple change (the cable is just a figure 8 cable, you can buy them easily in the UK). TV will auto detect the voltage.
I am not sure UK HDMI standard is the same as US HDMI standard. Can't seem to find a definitive answer on this with many conflicting messages. Everyone focusses on the NTSC v PAL which as already pointed out is not a consideration when using digital (mine is NTSC only).
However I have read enough information to make me wonder whether UK HDMI is significantly different to US HDMI. I believe there is a frequency difference (again a 50hz vs 60hz difference). I have even considered the Atlon convertor to convert US HDMI to UK HDMI. If you have managed to get confirmation that the HDMI is the same would very much appreciate the info.
Additionally my TV has internet connection, and I am not sure whether that will work from the UK (US apps).
Currently I am not taking the TV back as not certain it will work.
#15
Re: Taking US tv to UK
Do you mind if you ask which Sony you have, I am going through the same process of deciding whether to ship my Sony back? (Moving back Mid Mar)
I have a 40” Sony Bravia KDL-40W5100, same thing with the mutliple power types however couple of considerations..
The power cable is a simple change (the cable is just a figure 8 cable, you can buy them easily in the UK). TV will auto detect the voltage.
I am not sure UK HDMI standard is the same as US HDMI standard. Can't seem to find a definitive answer on this with many conflicting messages. Everyone focusses on the NTSC v PAL which as already pointed out is not a consideration when using digital (mine is NTSC only).
However I have read enough information to make me wonder whether UK HDMI is significantly different to US HDMI. I believe there is a frequency difference (again a 50hz vs 60hz difference). I have even considered the Atlon convertor to convert US HDMI to UK HDMI. If you have managed to get confirmation that the HDMI is the same would very much appreciate the info.
Additionally my TV has internet connection, and I am not sure whether that will work from the UK (US apps).
Currently I am not taking the TV back as not certain it will work.
I have a 40” Sony Bravia KDL-40W5100, same thing with the mutliple power types however couple of considerations..
The power cable is a simple change (the cable is just a figure 8 cable, you can buy them easily in the UK). TV will auto detect the voltage.
I am not sure UK HDMI standard is the same as US HDMI standard. Can't seem to find a definitive answer on this with many conflicting messages. Everyone focusses on the NTSC v PAL which as already pointed out is not a consideration when using digital (mine is NTSC only).
However I have read enough information to make me wonder whether UK HDMI is significantly different to US HDMI. I believe there is a frequency difference (again a 50hz vs 60hz difference). I have even considered the Atlon convertor to convert US HDMI to UK HDMI. If you have managed to get confirmation that the HDMI is the same would very much appreciate the info.
Additionally my TV has internet connection, and I am not sure whether that will work from the UK (US apps).
Currently I am not taking the TV back as not certain it will work.
I've been trying to find a forum for tv experts to ask these questions, but so far I've been unsuccessful. Given what you have said above, we aren't sure now if we want to take it with us or not. Sounds like it could wind up being a headache.