Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!van-bc!outbound!patrick_meloy From: patrick_meloy@outbound.wimsey.bc.ca (Patrick Meloy) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc Subject: Re: Why? Message-ID: Date: 6 Mar 91 07:32:26 GMT Organization: Outbound Communications Lines: 20 >This is probably a question that has been asked many times by many different >people, but I would really like to know why PAL amigas have more scanlines >than NTSC amigas. Why didn't they make them the same? From a software >designer's point of view, wouldn't it have been easier to have the >resolutions >be the same? It is kind of a pain when you are playing games like >Tobias's Startrek and you have to play in interlace mode with a scrunched up >screen. Could someone please explain this to me? The reason is VIDEO compatibility and international television standards. North America chose to go with 60hz and a shorter screen, Europe chose 50hz and a longer screen. They get a taller screen, but have you ever seen a PAL screen? Even non-interlace screens have a flicker of sorts. 60hz is fast enough that a non-interlace screen is refreshing faster than the eye can see, 50hz is just below that threshold and is quite visible. You DON'T WANT PAL! --------------------------------------- | patrick_meloy@outbound.wimsey.bc.ca | | 'The Outbound' BBS Vancouver BC | ---------------------------------------