We've spent some extensive time here on the blog discussing video standards and formats recently. We've been particularly focused on HD formats and standards. Let's take a step back and take a look at the two most common video standards in the world: PAL and NTSC.

PAL and NTSC are the video and broadcast standards used throughout the world. NTSC is primarily the North American standard, and PAL is mostly associated with Europe and Asia. The two standards are different enough to present a lot of problems when trying to convert between the two.

Have you ever exchanged home videos with a relative in another country only to discover that the videos will not play? That's likely due to the differences between PAL and NTSC.

The main differences between the two actually stem from the power used for the television and video displays. NTSC is powered by a 60 hertz source, and PAL is powered by a 50hz source. The technical implication of this is that the video is output at 60 and 50 fields per second, and once it's interlaced, it results in NTSC producing 30 frames per second, and PAL producing 25 frames per second.

Also, PAL and NTSC use different resolutions. PAL broadcasts contain 625 lines of resolution, while NTSC contains only 525.

When trying to play PAL media on an NTSC set or vice versa, strange things can happen from no video at all to clipped frame rates, and distorted images.

There are different methods of conversion that accomplish the PAL/NTSC standards change and they vary in quality considerably. The top-of-the-line broadcast converter is an Alchemist Ph C converter manufactured by Snell & Wilcox. We own two of these along with a few others to cover all the conversion requirements. If you have PAL or NTSC video that needs to be converted, contact us today. We have the high-end tools along with twenty-two years of experience converting video for the most discerning broadcast and corporate clients in the world.

Labels: alchemist ph c, fields, interlaced, NTSC, PAL