What is a Pal or NTSC format??

[Lucy1]

I know this might be a stupid question but what is a PAL or NTSC format. I have been seeing that alot.
Thanks

[passionsfan79]

pal is a videos that you can only play from like denmark uk(etc) and cant be played here in the us unless you get it converted and ntsc is videos that you can play here in the us and not out of states except for canada

[Nanny Fine]

Originally posted by Tealady2
I know this might be a stupid question but what is a PAL or NTSC format. I have been seeing that alot.
Thanks

Most European countries have a different VCR system and it plays the signals differently (PAL). If you play a PAL tape on an American VCR (regular, normal VCR) it is all fuzz because our VCR's can't read the PAL signal. I have a multiformat VCR that I bought specifically for taping/converting to and from PAL/Secam to NTSC and vice versa. It plays all formats (PAL 1 and PAL 2, SECAM, NTSC) and will tape into those formats as well. You can't just go to Walmart and buy a multiformat - I coudln't at least. I had to order mine from a company online. They are quite a bit more expensive than a regular VCR but mine was well worth it. I've used it so much I've twice burned the engine out of it and had to replace that part (not the VCR, too expensive to replace!!!!!)

[Lucy1]

So you trade alot with people from other countries? Do you do this because they have shows that we don't?
Just curious
Lucy