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From: myers@hpfcdj.HP.COM (Bob Myers)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Converting to NTSC from PAL
Message-ID: <17660150@hpfcdj.HP.COM>
Date: 4 Feb 91 19:05:57 GMT
References: <4180@ns-mx.uiowa.edu>
Organization: Hewlett Packard -- Fort Collins, CO
Lines: 28

>>You'd be better off just getting a PAL (or multi-mode) VCR and TV.  (Note
>>that the line rate, etc., aren't compatible with U.S. TVs, either, so just
>>a PAL VCR isn't going to make you any better off than you are now.

>O Really? I was under the impression that a standard US tv could pick up
>european transmissions under the proper "skip" conditions. Of course, the
>aspect ratio would be wrong, and there would be no color, but the picture 
>_would_ be viewable. Am I incorrect?


Yes, you're incorrect.  Actually, YOU may be quite correct, but your
idea as presented above generally isn't! :-)

The horizontal sweep frequency used in PAL or SECAM transmissions is fairly
close to the NTSC standard of 15734 Hz, but the vertical is only 50 Hz as
opposed to our 60 Hz (actually, since the advent of color, 59.94 Hz).  Most
sets won't lock onto something that far off their intended frequency.  If
they do, then you should get about what you said - a funny-shaped picture with
no color.  (I'm not certain what effect the PAL color encoding would have on an
NTSC receiver, but it sure wouldn't be the RIGHT color in any event!
Since the whole intent of the original poster was to record or playback PAL 
broadcasts, presumably in color, the recommendation for a PAL compatible set 
still stands.


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