Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!hplabs!hpfcdc!hpfcdj!myers
From: myers@hpfcdj.HP.COM (Bob Myers)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: NTSC-PAL (in)compatibility
Message-ID: <11170019@hpfcdj.HP.COM>
Date: 20 Jun 89 17:46:42 GMT
References: <124@nisca.ircc.ohio-state.edu>
Organization: Hewlett Packard -- Fort Collins, CO
Lines: 35


>I would like some adivce/references about compatibility/incompatibility
>between the NTSC and PAL color TV systems. I have several questions like:
>Are b/w receivers built for the NTSC and PAL markets compatible?

Well, if not, it's obviously not because of the color encoding! :-)

However, both the PAL and SECAM systems use different timing than the
NTSC standard; we're using a 525 lines/frame, 60 Hz interlaced system
(15,734 Hz horizontal), and PAL (and, I believe, SECAM) is a 625 lines/frame,
50 Hz system.  The question is whether or not the TV in question would
sync up (or could be adjusted to sync up) to the "other" standard.
 
> B/w signals recorded on VHS tapes? 

Same timing concerns as before.

>Are there any add-on products that let you see VHS tapes recorded with 
>  NTSC signals on PAL systems?

Yes, but they're expensive.  Not only are you changing the color encoding,
but you must also change the signal timing - this requires frame stores and
other expen$ive goodies.

>Are VHS VCR's compatible, or do they have special components directed
>toward the interpretation of NTSC or PAL signals?

PAL and NTSC VCRs are incompatible.  Some manufacturers have produced models,
though, that can be switched back and forth between the two systems.  However,
the tapes produced in, say, NTSC mode are still incompatible with PAL.


Bob Myers  KC0EW   HP Graphics Tech. Div.|  Opinions expressed here are not
                   Ft. Collins, Colorado |  those of my employer or any other
myers%hpfcla@hplabs.hp.com               |  sentient life-form on this planet.