Video Standards

[Suzanne Cane <prlst012@LLWSBE.WSBE.ORG>]

The question of video standards came up on the list "Classe Globale
Francaise".  Librarians and media specialists may be interested in the
following message from that list:

From:   al085@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Richard Shima)
To:     Multiple recipients of list <cgf-activites@yukon.cren.org>
Subject: "Foreign" TV/videotapes
Date:   Sun, 20 Mar 1994 12:58:48 -0500

On the subject, Videos, standards and formats, Andy Mc Intyre [James
McIntyre
<tiassoc@micronet.wcu.edu>]
wrote knowledgeably                      :

 > There has been some discussion on this discussion list
 > regarding the compatibility of video available in Canada to
 > be played in VCR's in the US.  They are compatible.

 > Three standards of video exist.  The US standard is NTSC.
 > This standard exists for most of the western hemisphere with
 > the notable exception of Brazil.

NTSC = National Television Standards Committee.  Yes, this is the
so-called North American system of 30 frames per second,
interlaced scanning, with 525 horizontal lines and compatible
with the CCIR (Comite Consultatif International des
Radiocommunications France) "M" (modified) standard.

This standard is used in all of North America (including Canada),
Central America, and in most of South America (right, *not*
Brazil), and it is used in some Asian countries including Japan
(but not to be confused with their present high-definition
television).

 > The next standard is PAL and is found in Britian and its
 > former colonies.

PAL = Phase Alternating Line System.  This is an English color TV
standard (625-line scan, 25 frames per second).  In addition to
the UK, this standard is found in what we knew as West Germany,
Holland, much of the rest of western Europe, some South American
countries, some Middle East and Asian countries, several African
countries, Australia, New Zealand, and many other Pacific island
countries, following Andy's reference to "colonies."

PAL-M is a modification of the phase-alternation-by-line system
and is the (525 lines, 50 Hertz, 220 volt) TV standard of Brazil,
the major South American TV standard exception that Andy noted.

 > The third standard is SECAM.  This is the standard found in
 > France and its former colonies.

SECAM = System Electronique Couleur Avec Memoire.  This is
France's very good quality (819-line scan, 50 Hertz) TV standard
also found in most eastern European countries, the former USSR
(modified form), and some African countries, again, following
the French Colony aspect Andy mentioned.

None of the three TV systems are mutually compatible; you cannot
view an Australian, English, or French videotape or
through-the-air broadcast directly on an American TV or
videocassette player.

However, not all is lost!  If you obtain a video tape made in
another standard, it *can* be converted/re-recorded into your
standard.  There are conversion services available -- check with
your local video store or check with your school's audio-visual
dealer/supplier.

 > More than likely, these three standards will merge with the
 > introduction of digital HDTV (High definition TV).

Curious comment.  In the news a week ago was mention that the
Japanese finally, albeit reluctantly "caved in," accepting the
new HDTV American proposal as the incipient but inevitable world
standard.  They said they would convert and manufacture for it.

Whew!  Aren't standards great?

 > Salut!

I'll second that and that's about the extent of my French writing
ability (but not interest).  :-(

--Richard

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--
Suzanne Cane
Lincoln School
Providence, Rhode Island 02906
e-mail:  prLst012@LLwsbe.wsbe.org   voice: 401 331-9696  fax: 401 751-6670