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PAL/NTSC questions
I’m doing a video which will be shown at a trade show in Milan. Client is unsure at this time if their SD rental equipment will be PAL or if NTSC will be available. The other factor is there will be a 42″ monitor in the mix that I assume will be 16×9.
So, my questions are, will a widescreen (anamorphic) NTSC SD show letterbox okay on a PAL TV?
Is there a difference between widescreen monitors in NTSC and PAL?
Thanks.
Have a wonderful day.
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6 Replies
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i hope i’m not wrong here, but the monitor isn’t the issue, it’s how you will play it back. because ntsc is 30fps and pal 25, if you don’t have the capacity to play back at 30fps the monitor won’t matter.
if you play back from a computer file that should be no problem, just adjust the playback settings. if you play from a tape or dvd, then you have to check out your equipment first.
and your monitor will play whatever you send it or whatever you set your monitor at, aspect ratio-wise.
please correct me if i’m wrong, somebody…
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Most modern TV and video displays are capable of both NTSC and PAL. That should not be an issue.
If this is a video that will only be for use in Milan and you have to rent a video player locally, then chances are it will be PAL, but NTSC might be available if you look. Most DVD players in PAL regions are able to play NTSC DVDs either with a PAL conversion on the fly, or as an NTSC signal (usually menu-selectable).
If DVD is the delivery format, then you’ll probably be okay. Otherwise the capabilities of the deck at the other end are going to be an issue that you’ll need to investigate.
For what it’s worth many European-model DV decks are NTSC/PAL switchable, and the very-common Sony J3/J30 Digi/SP player is also able to play both NTSC and PAL.
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Hi Angela,
Yes, of course on the frame rate issue, but since all my media will be NTSC I can’t work in PAL, rather I would convert it when it’s done. I guess what i was asking is, assuming they can get an NTSC DVD player, would that letterbox properly on a PAL monitor?
My final delivery will likely be a DVD.
Have a wonderful day.
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Dylan,
Thanks that’s just what I needed. What about the 16×9 issue as far as monitors go, is say, a Panasonic 42″ the same over there as it is here?
Have a wonderful day.
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[Chris Poisson] “What about the 16×9 issue as far as monitors go, is say, a Panasonic 42″ the same over there as it is here?”
that should be ok.
I did an NTSC 16×9 to PAL 16×9 once and the client had no complaints.
While it is true most PAL players can play NTSC discs a number of
clients have had problems with that, so do PAL whenever its the final DVD delivery. -
Thanks to all of you, this was just great.
Have a wonderful day.
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