Buyer's Guide Basics
How do I watch overseas video tapes?
Video tapes come in a variety standards, each
incompatible with the other. To watch video tapes from overseas that
are not the same video standard as your own, you'll need what is called
a multisystem VCR and a multisystem TV, or a Digital Video Standards
Converter and VCR, or a VCR with a built-in Converter.
What is a multisystem VCR?
Different areas of the world use different video standards. North America
uses NTSC, Europe uses PAL and SECAM, South America uses PAL-M, PAL-N,
PAL and NTSC. Almost every area of the world has a mixture of video
standards. Unfortunately, none of these standards are compatible with
each other. A multisystem VCR has the ability to play video tapes of
different video standards.
What is PAL, SECAM and NTSC?
NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) is a standard used in
North America and Japan. It has the ability to display up to 525 lines
of resolution. PAL (Phase Alternating Line), a standard used almost
everywhere else in the world, has the ability to display 625 lines of
resolution. SECAM (Sequential Color Memory) is used sparingly around
the world and can be found in France, parts of Greece, Eastern Europe,
Russia, Africa and a few other parts of the world. However, any SECAM
country can display PAL tapes in full color, but not all PAL countries
can display all SECAM tapes in color. Only if they are true SECAM and
not MESECAM can those VCR's display SECAM.
What video standard does my country use?
If you're in North America, Japan,
Korea, the Philippines and parts of South America, you use NTSC. Most
other areas of the world use PAL or SECAM. Half of Brazil uses NTSC
while the other half uses PAL-M. Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay use
PAL-N. The rest of the world uses mainly PAL. If you're unsure what
your video standard is, contact your local cable or broadcast company.
Also, on the back of most video tapes is indicate what video standard
the tape is. This is a good representation of what your video standard
is.
Is there a difference between the video tape standards and the broadcast standards?
Yes. Video tapes come in their own simplified
video tape standards: NTSC, SECAM, PAL, PAL-M, and PAL-N. However, broadcasts
standards are a different matter. The video signal you receive through
your antenna, cable or satellite may be slightly different. For example:
SECAM video tapes only come in SECAM; there are no variations. However,
there are many SECAM broadcast standards. There are SECAM B, G, D, K
and L, and all slightly different.
What if I'm recording a broadcast standard onto a video tape. What standard is the video tape?
Let's say you want to record a television
show on your VCR in France, where they broadcast in SECAM-L. The recording
format will simply be SECAM. "L" is merely the broadcast transmission
frequency that the television station uses to broadcast a SECAM program.
Likewise, PAL B/G broadcasts are PAL programs being broadcast in the
B/G frequencies and would be recorded on your VCR as PAL.In the USA,
these frequencies are VHF and UHF, but there is no need to add those
letters to the term, NTSC.
What about PAL-M and PAL-N broadcast systems?
These two standards are an exception
to the rule. PAL-M and PAL-N (both found in the South America) are both
broadcast standards and video tape standards. If you're receiving a
PAL-M broadcast and record it onto a video tape, it will be recorded
onto the video tape as PAL-M.
Do I need special types of video tapes to record in different video standards?
No, video tapes are blank. You can get a blank
tape and record any video standard onto it.
Hablamos Español 
Parliamo Italiano 
Nagsasalita ng Tagalog
