(2022-11-03, 07:30 PM)zoidberg Wrote: I was gifted a 21" CRT a month or so ago with true NTSC input and honestly LDs are a revelation

Nice! Those must be quite rare I'd imagine.

It got me thinking, are any of those NTSC to PAL converters worth getting? I've got access to our old family Panasonic CRT (PAL only) but was wondering whether something like the Blackmagic Updowncross Hd Mini Converter might make NTSC LD's playable on it?

In all honesty it's not a great CRT but it is a CRT with all that encompasses. What's interesting is with IP based telecines a lot of the magenta is neutralised but occasionally a particularly 'pushed' transfer will show some hints in highlights etc. The way saturation is handled makes a hell of a difference as well, it just seems like LD and CRT are inherently sympathetic to each other (which makes sense).
On paper it does seem that the blackmagic device will do the conversion you need, but for the price you may be better off getting a CRT with NTSC, but if the TV you have is particularly good (and especially if it does PAL60) it may be worth looking into.

My parents one is a 20” Panasonic from 1990 that’s just sitting in a cupboard - it’s a really nice tv from memory but doubt it had PAL60 or anything fancy about it. I saw there are cheaper converters available but doubt they’re any good. Does it tend to be later CRT’s that can do PAL & NTSC?

On the back of the TV there should be a little label with the model number, serial number etc., google the model number and you'll most likely find the user manual online, which should tell you what signals it will accept. Occasionally the label will say 50/60Hz which will mean it can do PAL60 but not necessarily NTSC (as it's a different decoder).

(2022-11-03, 07:30 PM)zoidberg Wrote: If you have the VHS can you capture it? SD capture devices are very inexpensive these days.
Anyway situations like this are a good reason not to ditch that VHS/LD player or that CRT. Certain releases are just not 'right' any other way. I was gifted a 21" CRT a month or so ago with true NTSC input and honestly LDs are a revelation

Unfortunately, I do not have the VHS! A buddy of mine used to have a copy when he was into VHS collecting, but has since sold his collection. I'm hoping that we can maybe find someone to capture it who has a solid VHS copy.

It's not a particularly rare VHS title, it should be easy to find a copy online.

I got a cheap factory sealed copy of the VHS a few years ago. Uncropped aspect ratio, very nice. I can't capture it though unfortunately, but tbh a capture of the LD would probly be a bit better.

I remember the Artisan R1 DVD well. Definitely windoxboxed with the curved apeture as part of the frame. There was a good audio commentary on there too. Don't know if it made it to latter versions as I've not owned any since. Don't have the DVD either anymore unfortunately though

(2022-11-27, 09:10 PM)SpookyDollhouse Wrote: I got a cheap factory sealed copy of the VHS a few years ago. Uncropped aspect ratio, very nice. I can't capture it though unfortunately, but tbh a capture of the LD would probly be a bit better.

Hello Spook! You still got it?

(2025-01-06, 12:31 PM)phadron Wrote:

(2022-11-27, 09:10 PM)SpookyDollhouse Wrote: I got a cheap factory sealed copy of the VHS a few years ago. Uncropped aspect ratio, very nice. I can't capture it though unfortunately, but tbh a capture of the LD would probly be a bit better.

Hello Spook! You still got it?

I do!