In France, do most families have DVD players or VHS players?

Question

I am going to stay with a French family for a short period of time and am making a slideshow of some photos for them. However, I don't know if they'll be more likely to be able to play a DVD or a VHS. I know nothing about the family (such as technological/socioeconomic status) and cannot ask them myself. What should I bring?

Answer 1

I've never seen a VHS player here.  Almost everyone I know has a DVD player.

Answer 2

I would bring a DVD.  The French are on about the same level with Americans on DVD usage.  VHS can still be rented, but DVDs are more commonplace.   Be careful, though.  The French use a different encoding standard than the US for video/movie disks.  To be 100% safe, use something that can easily be played on a PC with Windows.  If it doesn't work in the DVD player, then you have a back-up on the laptop/desktop computer.

Answer 3

Yes, most of them have DVD players but the problem is that most only read region 2 and the ones in the states are region 1 so you might have a problem with that. But if there DVD plays regions 1 and 2, you should be ok. They also can read the DVD on the computer. It is better if you bring a DVD then a VHS.

Answer 4

DVD players are everywhere but beware of zoning....

The US and Canada compose zone 1 and all DVD players and movies sold in the USA are encoded to only work with each other.  A zone 1 dvd player will only play zone 1 DVDs.

France and most of Western Europe make up zone 2.  Zone 1 and Zone 2 are not compatible with each other.

There are 8 different zones globally.

Answer 5

DVDs are so cheap anymore that most Europeans have them. the problem may be in playing a US store bought DVD movie. I'm quite sure you'll have no problems seeing a photo presentation. If theie DVD doesn't work I'm sure the family will have a PC.