PAL versus NTSC - any practical differences?

woj101

Another thread highlighting the fact cd-wow do the Indy dvd box set for £14.99 has inspired this.

It's region 3 and therefore in NTSC format. I understand we use PAL in the UK but don't how to tell if the tv will display it ok in NTSC without searching out the manual. Any obvious things to look for?

Also, if your telly is NTSC compatible, do you get the whole picture or lose some, or is it squashed, stretched etc? and is the general picture quality the same?

Basically, is there any reason why I shouldn't get it if my dvd player is multi-region?

Thanks.

Jeryth

AFAIK....................

I bought a NTSC DVD because I really really wanted it........

And the very helpful assistant in HMV said (so don't quote me here!) that NTSC is a digital signal and so if I either don't have the right region DVD OR don't have a digital telly, I will get a black and white version of the film.

So right region DVD and old analogue telly WILL WORK

HTH as you have had no other replies yet!

D.A.

The shop assistant in HMV obviously hadn't a clue then - NTSC is an *analogue* signal.

shrek101

From what I remember NTSC (mainly US) is inferior to Pal (uk and much of Europe) NTSC is 23 framses per second and runs at 50hz where as Pal is 25 frames per second and runs at slightly better quality 60hz. My tv/dvd will run both and I certainly perfer Pal although I also do have a lot of NTSC films.

Joe_Bloggs

Broadcast quality is inferior to PAL but this is not an issue when the signal comes from a DVD or game console. Frame rate for NTSC is 30FPS where for PAL it is only 25. PAL has a slighly higher resolution. Movies are just under 24 fps. So a bit of 'phaffing' around with the fields, that make up the frames, is required to make 30 fps NTSC DVD.
J_B. (From memory, No NTSC capable TV).

MarcusB

most DVD's have a pal 50/60 option which allows NTSC to be played on almost any telly. also if you have RGB out on your DVD & an RGB scart on your telly, this should also work. Most telly's made in the last 5-6 years should play NTSC as standard tho

alexj2002

And the very helpful assistant in HMV said (so don't quote me here!) that NTSC is a digital signal and so if I either don't have the right region DVD OR don't have a digital telly, I will get a black and white version of the film.

So right region DVD and old analogue telly WILL WORK

What a load of rubbish!! The NTSC Colour standard was approved in the 1950's way before Digital TV's were around.

HMV seem to know very little about the product they specialise in!

To play a region 1 or 3 DVD you'll need a Multi-Region or Unlocked DVD Player. If the format is NTSC you'll need an NTSC compatible TV (which is most bought in the last 5/6 years) or the DVD may play in BlackandWhite only.

Oh and for full details on NTSC - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTSC