I have a Sony TV  #KF -50SX100 (220 - 240 Volts, 50 HZ, 210w)  and a
Sony DVD player #HCD-S500 (220-240V, 50-60Hz, 98w). Currently I am
using them in Germany, and I would like to know if and how I can move
them with me to the United states. The DVD player is already "hacked"
to work all regions.  My question is specifically how/if I can get
them to work on US power and signals.

Dear sottapop,

I have consulted the manuals for both the TV set and the DVD player,
and I have good news: You will be able to use both devices in the USA.

Europa and the USA use different TV standards. The predominant
standard in Europe, including Germany, is the PAL system, while NTSC
is the system used in North America. TV sets, DVD players, VCRs an the
like sold in Europe usually support both standards although they are
only needed for imported DVDs and VHS tapes. Since you are using your
TV set and DVD player in Germany, I assume that they are the models
made for the European market.

Of course I made sure that this is true in your particular case.
Therefore, I consulted the original Sony manuals for the KF-50SX100
and the DAV-S500 (this is actually the same as the HCD-S500 player).

The technical specifications of the TV set state clearly that it will
support both the European PAL and the American NTSC standard. No
changes are necessary.

The DVD player also supports PAL and NTSC. However, the standard needs
to be set manually. I assume that it is a European model and currently
set to PAL. To set it to NTSC for use in the USA, please do the
following:
- Turn on the player by pressing the power button on the remote while
also pressing the pause button on the player itself.
- You need to hold the pause button until the model number appears on
the display. Your DVD player has now been set to NTSC.

In case you would like to read the manuals yourself, you can download
them for free from Sony (in PDF format):
http://www.sonydigital-link.com/manuals/manuals.asp

So all you need to use your TV set and DVD player in the USA is an
adapter that will allow you to connect the European Schuko-type
electric plugs with American power outlets, and that transforms the
110V used in the USA to the ~230V your devices require. You should be
able to buy a such adapter while you are still in Germany; they should
be available in consumer electronics stores and the like (since I am
German myself, I can say for sure that such adapters are not hard to
find).

I hope that this is what you needed to know!
Regards,
Scriptor

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Request for Answer Clarification by sottapop-ga on 22 Sep 2004 05:13 PDT

Thanks for your answer.  But I need a bit more information.  I've been
looking all around Munich for a converter, but have not found one with
a high enough watts.  Could you point me to somewhere online that I
could order one?  Also, could you please comment on how the difference
of hertz are handled.  As far as I can tell, my TV player only support
50hz

Thanks

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Clarification of Answer by scriptor-ga on 23 Sep 2004 12:34 PDT

Dear sottapop,

It was my mistake, I chose the wrong expression. "Adapter" is, of
course, the wrong word since adapters will only convert the voltage
from 110V to 230V, but not the frequency from 60Hz to 50Hz.

What you need is a so-called "step-up converter", which is known as
"Aufwärts-Spannungswandler" in German. Those devices convert the
voltage, but not the frequency (see below for a comment on this
issue). For a TV set and a DVD player, you will need a quite powerful
converter, for a supply of 300 watts and more. See examples here:
http://www.netzgeraet.de/index1.html?spannungswandler_wandler_230vac_auf_110vac.htm
http://www.thiecom.de/minwa2.htm

As for the different frequencies of 50Hz and 60Hz: I consulted an
expert for TV equipment today. I was told that modern electronic
equipment are usually not affected by the difference in cycles and
adjust themselves accordingly.

However, in case you do not find this information sufficient, please
do not rate it. Instead, simply let the editors know that you were not
satisfied and request a full refund:
http://answers.google.com/answers/refundrequest

Best regards,
Scriptor

However, if the tv-set really only supports 50 Hz, that could be a
problem, because in the US they have 60 Hz and the high voltage
components of a tv-set is very delicate when it comes to power
oscillation.