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Why are HDTVs alway way more expensive in Hong Kong when compared to USA?

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  1. #11

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    Interestingly, I ordered MrMin's Xmas present from the USA before looking around here. It was a specialist electronic item and I just assumed it would be cheaper there. There was an issue with delivery and I ended up cancelling that order and getting it in HK ... where it turned out to be some 20% cheaper even BEFORE factoring in the shipping. I don't think assuming is a good idea - next time I will check more carefully first.


  2. #12

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    Quote Originally Posted by MovingIn07:
    Interestingly, I ordered MrMin's Xmas present from the USA before looking around here. It was a specialist electronic item and I just assumed it would be cheaper there. There was an issue with delivery and I ended up cancelling that order and getting it in HK ... where it turned out to be some 20% cheaper even BEFORE factoring in the shipping. I don't think assuming is a good idea - next time I will check more carefully first.
    Really?? Handheld vibrators are cheaper in HK?
    bookblogger likes this.

  3. #13

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    Is there any workaround the NTSC/ PAL issue?

    Quote Originally Posted by Laksa Girl:
    It's a myth that Asia is cheaper for electronics. Watch out for software, PAL/NTSC and voltage compatibility though.

    Is there any workaround the NTSC/ PAL issue? Are there any devices we can purchase in HK that can convert the signals from one to the other? Also, is cable TV (ie: NOW TV) also broadcasted in PAL?

    PS. What did you mean by software?

    Thanks!!

  4. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by aming:
    Is there any workaround the NTSC/ PAL issue?
    Component (YUV or RGB) as well as HDMI connections don't care about PAL / NTSC, but you have to ensure that the refresh rate which is typically associated with PAL (50Hz) and NTSC (60Hz) is supported by the TV's inputs.
    US TV's generally do not "like" 50Hz signals. The manual you linked for example does not state the supported resolution with frequency for each input, only for PC compatibility, but since even that has no 50Hz is listed I would assume it's not supported for any of the inputs.

    Are there any devices we can purchase in HK that can convert the signals from one to the other?
    Yes there are converters available but the cheap ones may not convert the frequency, so beware. (PAL can also work with 60Hz, sometimes referred to as Pseudo-PAL)

    Also, is cable TV (ie: NOW TV) also broadcasted in PAL?
    It's PAL but the nowTV box has a component (YUV) output, as well as HDMI (the latter may only work if you subscribe to HDTV services)/

    You need to look at the specific TV model and what equipment you want to connect, maybe a converter won't be needed, subject to the type of connection and the TV's input signal frequency compatibility.

    In the end it comes down to if the TV + transformer + converter is cheaper than buying here, not to forget possible warranty issues. For a TV that costs three times as much here it probably is but that seems to be an exception.
    Last edited by Raccon; 09-01-2012 at 02:08 AM.

  5. #15

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    Much cheaper and easier to buy a new Chinese make of TV once you arrive. That's what we did. Our shippers would not insure TV's anyway so any damage in transit would have been for our own account.


  6. #16

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    Quote Originally Posted by Raccon:
    Component (YUV or RGB) as well as HDMI connections don't care about PAL / NTSC, but you have to ensure that the refresh rate which is typically associated with PAL (50Hz) and NTSC (60Hz) is supported by the TV's inputs.
    US TV's generally do not "like" 50Hz signals. The manual you linked for example does not state the supported resolution with frequency for each input, only for PC compatibility, but since even that has no 50Hz is listed I would assume it's not supported for any of the inputs.


    Yes there are converters available but the cheap ones may not convert the frequency, so beware. (PAL can also work with 60Hz, sometimes referred to as Pseudo-PAL)


    It's PAL but the nowTV box has a component (YUV) output, as well as HDMI (the latter may only work if you subscribe to HDTV services)/

    You need to look at the specific TV model and what equipment you want to connect, maybe a converter won't be needed, subject to the type of connection and the TV's input signal frequency compatibility.

    In the end it comes down to if the TV + transformer + converter is cheaper than buying here, not to forget possible warranty issues. For a TV that costs three times as much here it probably is but that seems to be an exception.
    Mostly correct, PAL/NTSC is a legacy thing and a non-issue for most people/applications.

  7. #17

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    Quote Originally Posted by beachball:
    Mostly correct, PAL/NTSC is a legacy thing and a non-issue for most people/applications.
    That doesn't make my post less correct.

    But as stated the frequency that is derived from PAL/NTSC is still an issue, even you use component or HDMI.


    Re shipping: Shipping companies will usually insure the TV only if it's in the original packaging. When I shipped mine the shipping company told me flat screen TVs are the most likely to get damaged in transport. I was actually hoping mine would break as it is rather old, but I was "lucky" and it arrived in one piece.
    Last edited by Raccon; 09-01-2012 at 01:42 PM.

  8. #18

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    Original Post Deleted
    The frequency issue that Raccon refers to is not AV frequency of the power supply (which BTW amusingly varies even within Japan, with Eastern Japan being 50Hz and Western Japan 60Hz), but the refresh rate of the video signal or frame rate.
    Although refresh rate was not really part of either standard, historically NTSC refreshed at 60/30Hz and PAL at 50/25Hz. When newer generations TVs were first introduced, their electronics sometimes only supported the 'historical' refresh rate for the respective market.
    Last edited by beachball; 09-01-2012 at 02:27 PM.

  9. #19

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    Quote Originally Posted by Raccon:
    [SNIP]
    Re shipping: Shipping companies will usually insure the TV only if it's in the original packaging. When I shipped mine the shipping company told me flat screen TVs are the most likely to get damaged in transport. I was actually hoping mine would break as it is rather old, but I was "lucky" and it arrived in one piece.
    Interesting, my shipping company certainly did insure my TV sets (all flat-screens, some plasma and some LCD) without the original packaging - they just insisted on packing them in protective wooden crates/boxes (same ones as for framed paintings, etc.).

  10. #20

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    Original Post Deleted
    I think that Raccon has stated he thinks that it depends on the model of the TV, not that it applies for all NTSC TVs without any exception.