When we moved from USA to India permanently, we decided to bring all of our electronics devices. Most of the electronic devices like TV, Camcoder etc were used, but we bought a few new devices as well. We were very aware of the NTSC - Pal incompatibility issues we are going to face in India, but we thought we can deal with it easily.
NTSC Pal Compatibility issues for electronic items from USA to India
NTSC is the standard in USA, where as in India, the standard is PAL. The digital transmission in India is in PAL format. If you bring an NTSC TV from USA to India, it will not work with the cable providers in India without using a converter. Period. It will not work.
When I purchased the new TV from USA to bring to India, I heard from various sources that NTSC - PAL incompatibility is history and modern setup boxes provided by cable TV operators like Tata Sky, Dish network etc will work anywhere and on any devices. I was very optimistic and bought all NTSC devices from USA. And to be on the safer side, I brought one Atlona PAL NTSC converter as well.
After coming here and getting the Cable TV subscription from Tata Sky, I learnt few things:
1. My assumption of "somehow" we can make it work was wrong. Tata Sky people connected the setup box and left the home saying your TV does not work with PAL system.
2. The Atlona converter I brought from USA was dead and useless.
So, I decided to start shopping for a PAL to NTSC converter in Bangalore. Before
too long, I learnt it is not easy to buy one in India. I asked many people and checked with many shops. No one have any idea where to buy a converter in Bangalore. Learn more about where to buy PAL to NTSC converter in Bangalore, India.
I found an online shop which sells NTSC Pal converter in Mumbai. They do ship to other parts of the country as well. I called them and they confirmed they can ship to Bangalore. However, I felt the price is pretty high. They said it costs Rs 7900. But the primary reason I decided to continue the search was, I have no clue if the product they sell are reliable.(Someone just adviced me that this unit has no HDMI input. It has only composite video input and HDMI output. It may still work as a converter, but it may not be the best choice)
Based on some recommendations from the Tata Sky technician, I decided to give a try in S.P Road in Bangalore. I have heard from few others also that in S.P. Road, you can buy any foreign brands there.
Today or tomorrow, I will visit S.P. Road and share my experience.
Where to buy a PAL to NTSC converter in Bangalore, India
Today I went to SP Road looking for a PAL to NTSC converter to make my US made TVs work with the cable TV providers in India. I heard from many people that all electronic devices will be available in SP Road in Bangalore.
After some confusion, I finally managed to reach SP Road. It is a very crowded place with 100s of electronic shops. I asked several shops and no one had the converter I was looking for. After spending more than 2 hours walking from shop to shop, I heard from couple of shops that it is available in a shop called "Pankaj Electronics" in the same Road. I finally located that small shop, which was in the entrance of the SP Road itself.
They had PAL to NTSC converter in stock. But it was a very small and dirty piece. It did not have any HDMI cable options, meaning I will not be able to take advantage of the High Definition display of my latest 3D enabled, 55" LED TV. After spending so much money for the TV, it will be ridiculous to watch low clarity video on it. Moreover, this converter did not look like a good quality product. It just had a power cable and a single cable composite input/output. The price of this Pal to Ntsc converter is Rs 7500.
I was not satisfied with this converter. So, I gave up on them and continued my search in several more shops in SP road. Many more shops suggested Pankaj Electronics and said there are no other shops which carry such products.
If you like to buy a Pal to NTSC converter in Bangalore, you may contact Pankaj Electronics at SP Road. This is a small shop on the ground floor and is located on 3rd building on the left side when you enter the SP road.
Phone Number of Pankaj Electronics: 9341215140
I gave and decided to go back home. While going back, I made a last attempt in another store. They told me they can get me the item within 30 minutes if I pay an advance right away. I can't see the product before I buy it since he has to get it from elsewhere. According to the shop owner, this is an imported product with HDMI and USB options. (I am not sure about the purpose of a USB in a Pal to NTSC converter.) The price of the Pal to NTSC converter in this store was Rs 12,500. I decided not to buy since he can't even get the product to show me until I pay the money. If you are interested in buying this, you can call them and get more details: Phone (Vaisal): 080 22220697
I did not get a converter in SP Road or anywhere else in Bangalore after spending a full day shopping on the roads and online. I decided to try to bring a good one from USA which would cost about $200, but atleast I can trust the quality.
(I could have rather bought the converter from the Mumbai shop I mentioned above. I decided to try in SP Road because I thought the price in Mumbai shop was pretty high. But what I learnt today after spending Rs 300 to a traffic policeman for red-light violation, another Rs 450 in a restaurant and spoling my 1 day was that it was worth buying from the Mumbai shop!)
Conclusion
You cannot buy a reliable, high quality Pal to NTSC converter in Bangalore or anywhere in India. If you bring a TV from USA, bring one or 2 converters too. It is worth keeping a backup unit instead of wasting your time looking for it in India. Or, if you have an extra unit, you can sell it to people like me!
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| Author: AppaRao 18 Oct 2011 | Member Level: Bronze Points : 1 |
This is absolutely what I was looking for when searched to locate a converter in Bangalore. Just like you, I also moved recently and on the same boat. Luckily one of my store brand LED TVs works and the brand name TV does not.
Any luck locating a working converter so far?
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| Author: Tony John 21 Oct 2011 | Member Level: Silver Points : 1 |
AppaRao,
I could never find a good one in Bangalore. Finally, I ended up bring a Com World PAL to NTSC converter from USA, which works reasonably well. Recently I got my Atlona converter repaired by the manufacturer in USA.
Which is the TV that works without a converter?
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| Author: Jenil 01 Nov 2011 | Member Level: Bronze Points : 1 |
Hi Tony,
I am facing the same problem
I have heard of the store in mumbai.
But what would be the best option
i have a Vizio 22' LED TV, was unawre of the problems i could face.
Also, when I connected to my Hathway STB, i was able to get distorted picture with clear sound. Is the problem really of NTSC/PAL signals.
Would appritiate If you could help
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| Guest Author: Namratha Shetty 15 Nov 2011 |
Thanks for sharing your experience. I too like most desis did not get a converter from USA. I am struggling with using the TV for local cable programs. Having spent all the dollars to ship everything, i chose to not spend another $200 for converter. Thanks Tony.
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| Author: us2india 22 Nov 2011 | Member Level: Bronze Points : 2 |
Hi all,
Interesting forum and I too sooner or later will be in the same boat. I'm planning to buy a SONY-3D HDTV from USA and taking back to India when I go for good (may be in 2 years from now). First, is it really wise taking a TV from USA to India (knowing all the NTSC-PAL issues, converters, 110-240V , customs)? I personally want to take it as I dont want to invest huge price in India for the same tv set (barring the custom).
I would appreciate if someone can guide me.
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| Author: Tony John 22 Nov 2011 | Member Level: Silver Points : 1 |
us2India,
Thanks for your comment. In my opinion it is worth bringing a TV from USA to India if it is 50" or bigger TV and also if you are already shipping other things. If you are shipping just the TV alone, then the cost involved may be too high and may not be worth.
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| Author: Umair 22 Nov 2011 | Member Level: Bronze Points : 1 |
hi,
Can you please share the shipping and custom's rules involved.
I plan to bring 40" google tv from US. If i bring it in check-in baggage.. is the normal packing engough or wooden box is required.. wat if i put in cargo..how shud be d packing and cost involved.
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| Guest Author: Sambit 25 Nov 2011 |
Hi,
i just 3 days before got 1 led TV from USA.i m facing here the same problem.From techarena.com wat i came to know that,it will work with Airtel Digital TV as it gives connection through HDMI cables.PAL or NTSC does not matters.But 2day one Airtel guy came to my room & he told me tha convertor is must for the tv brought from USA.What i heard like,using of convertor reduces the quality of the picture.So is it true????
Is there any option other than using the convertor?plz suggest..
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| Guest Author: Goutam M 26 Nov 2011 |
Another option your can try :
Try to contact the product vendor i.e. if you bought Sony TV then contact sony service center and replace the tuner by them. This does not cost much. But the constraint is that you need to have the corresponding Asia Pac model avaiable in India. In Asia Pac countries PAl is the default transmission format.
What did you do for Voltage transformer ?
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| Guest Author: JSS 05 Dec 2011 |
pretty awesome writeup. thx for sharing
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| Guest Author: EssKay 31 Dec 2011 |
Hi,
I have Atlona converter (PAL to NTSC) HD-560. I bought it for $190 after discount (have invoice). If anyone interested can, Please write to me.
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| Guest Author: latif 18 Jan 2012 |
I have a samsung 55" led tv from usa and I got the orei xd-990 hdmi pal to ntsc conveter for less than $90 from amazon and works very well.
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| Guest Author: Sankar 19 Jan 2012 |
I bought Sony Bravia 42" LCD from US and going thru the same problem. If anyone in Hyderabad has convertoers please let me know.
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| Guest Author: Raj 22 Jan 2012 |
I have 40 Inch Sony LED TV from USA. Please suggest me how you guys fixed finally.
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| Guest Author: vaibhav 27 Jan 2012 |
Hi Esskay,
I am interested in buying the Atlona converter. Please let me know if you have the unit?
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| Guest Author: vaibhav 27 Jan 2012 |
Hi Esskay,
I am interested in buying Atlona converter. Please let me know whether you still have the item with you?
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| Guest Author: simplefable 05 Feb 2012 |
Hi Esskay
Am interested. Can you please mail me at simplefable@gmail.com ?
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| Guest Author: eMKay 09 Feb 2012 |
Thanks for your inputs on getting a converter. I guess there is not option to try and connect conventional cable to these converters.. one has to go thru set-top boxes.
Secondly.. I understand this is not directly related to topic above.. I am planning to bring to India 42" TV.
I am here for 2-3 years.. it was bought in nov 2011.
Do you see any issues in bringing it as a check-in baggage?
Any recommendations for packaging
How to deal with customs (in Delhi). Should one bluff on date of purchase and price or rather play safe? Any document in particular to be kept handy?
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| Guest Author: sangeeta 10 Feb 2012 |
Hi Esskay,
I am interested too.Please give me a call on 9844409990 else email me on sangeetagogi@gmail.com.I will be glad to buy for the price you offer.
Thanks
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