I have just bought a USA produced dvd/tv for my son which has the 2 pin USA mains plug. The manual for the tv reads " Insert the AC plug (with the two blades) into a AC outlet having 110-220v, 50/60Hz. Does this mean that it can be plugged directly into a UK mains point using an adapter or do i need a 240v to 110v power converter. Any help would be grateful.

Yes, if the device specifies dual voltage operation, you should be fine in that regard.

However, the television broadcast standards are different between the US and the UK, so you probably won't be able to watch any off-air TV programming. And unless the DVD player supports multiple standards (and multiple region codes), you can't play UK DVDs either.

BTW, I highly doubt your unit was US-manufactured. We haven't had a consumer electronics industry here since the late '70s.

[This message has been edited by NJwirenut (edited 02-13-2007).]

Yes, that's correct. As is NJwirenut's observation that your NTSC TV won't work with PAL broadcasts If you plan on using a region-free DVD player or tuner that can convert the signal, you can use it though.

Nearly every electronic appliance I've bought in recent memory has been compatible with both US and European power. I've tested it, too- my laptop, pda, cell phone and digital camera all worked fine with just a $1 plug adapter.

My NTSC Super Nintendo worked with a PAL TV, but only in black&white. So when I had the chance I grabbed a PAL/NTSC TV at a flea market.

Quite a lot of U.K.-market TVs these days will display a 525/60-NTSC signal connected via S-video or composite (CVBS), and some VHS VCRs also allow for playback of NTSC tapes.

As for voltage just give it a check... Sometimes there will be a switch that MUST be moved to the appropriate position, or you may see 120/220 on the unit data plate - BUT STILL LOOK FOR A SWITCH
!

Generally, if it has a power-factor correction circuit, that circuit also takes care of "wide-mount" input from about 100-240 nominal. The PFC circuit pumps the input up to 380 volt reservoir capacitor, from which the rest of the power supply operates.

I'm waiting for someone to make a super-wide-mount power supply, 12-250 volts, DC to 440 Hz.