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PAL vs NTSC

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tom.skier
Posts: 817 - Karma: 392
I did search this, but have found nothing of much help so sorry if this is a repost.  I live in the UK, and have bought a Canon HV30 which is advertised as being compatible world wide PAL / NTSC.  If the camera that arrives is in NTSC format, will I have significant problems with compatibility issues?

Thanks,
Tomskier.
May 11 2010 8:44AM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
If you live anywhere other than 'murrkah, you need to switch it to PAL. All European electronics run on PAL...
May 11 2010 12:56PM
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h_bar
Posts: 1611 - Karma: 506
Basically, PAL is used by europeans and NTSC is used by Americans.  The reason for the systems being a bit different is the difference between the power supplies on these continents. America got 60 hertz and Europe got 50 hertz.

The main difference is the frame rate, PAL is 25 fps and NTSC is 30 fps.
May 11 2010 4:12PM
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KarmaInitiative
Posts: 2028 - Karma: 174
im no expert but im guessin that you should be fine as long as ur just using the computer, dvds and tvs are where theres an issue

but im not really sure
May 11 2010 4:25PM
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TomasAa
Posts: 585 - Karma: 699
^this

I live in europe(norway) and Im using both pal and ntsc. Ntsc works fine as long ur just going to post on vimeo etc..

Actually ntsc works fine on most modern tvs here in europe... But if goal is tv/dvd you should use PAL just to be safe..
May 11 2010 6:00PM
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chapz
Posts: 10182 - Karma: 66
canucks use ntsc too...
May 12 2010 5:44PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
NORTH 'murrkhah
May 12 2010 7:07PM
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Goku
Posts: 8119 - Karma: 4,223
and Japan
May 13 2010 11:33AM
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leahey
Posts: 2548 - Karma: 32
This is the only explanation. ^. That is all it is between the two.
May 13 2010 8:41PM
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Holte
Posts: 10740 - Karma: 7,814
If the camera happens to be NTSC only, your best bet would probably be to shoot in 24p mode, and then reinterpret the footage at 25p. It'll be kind of a gnarly workflow since the 24p mode uses a pulldown, but I think it would be your best bet.
May 14 2010 2:09AM
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tom.skier
Posts: 817 - Karma: 392
Thanks for the advice!
May 14 2010 5:32AM
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joey.
Posts: 2087 - Karma: 3,337
Yeah. What Holte said. I think that if it comes in NTSC whenever you film under flourescent lighting it will flicker because the the mismatch in frequencies.
May 14 2010 10:51AM
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Legoman
Posts: 533 - Karma: 13
Watching anything on TV in the UK with a modern TV will be fine ala a HD tv, if you have a old tv and one that is tiny like a 14inch or something it might come out in black and white on playback or wtih slightly altered colours on a decent older tv thats larger like a Sony and 20".

Anything on the PC is fine.

All HD is 60hz

The difference in SD is NTSC is 480i 60hz and PAL is 576i 50hz

I really wouldn't worry about it these days


May 14 2010 3:32PM
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tom.skier
Posts: 817 - Karma: 392
Thanks man, I was quite worried about getting it and it not working but you've made me feel much better about it.
May 14 2010 5:10PM
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