What does NTSC and PAL stand for anyway?
 

Someone asked me what NTSC and PAL stand for and I didn't have an answer.

I know what the difference is, but what do they mean?

Thanks for answering a dumb question...
-Kyle

NTSC -- never twice the same color

PAL -- pay a lot

but seriously folks...

NTSC -- National Television Systems Committee -- strictly an American thing no matter where in the world you find it.

PAL -- Phase Alternating Line -- technically superior, but in the minds of most Americans it must be inferior because it's not American.

See http://www.ntsc-tv.com/ntsc-index-01.htm
and http://kropla.com/tv.htm

There are no dumb questions here. Hope this helps,

Pal also has a tendency to look like it flickers, perhaps besides the 25 frames , is the reason it may look more like film.
Bruce

Basically, PAL and NTSC go by the electrical system: 50 cycles for PAL, and 60 cycles for NTSC. But there are exceptions. Where 60 cycle PAL is used, NTSC cams are used. Go figure. SECAM is almost the same as PAL, so PAL cams are used where the broadcast system is SECAM. France/Asia/Middle East - SECAM.

Actually Chris, I think most Americans that have anything to do with video realize that NTSC is inferior. But people, of course, don't always pick standards based on technical points alone.
I'm just hoping we don't screw up the HD broadcast standard, but I fear it's too late.

If you have some time and want some interesting reading type the name Yves Faroudja into Google. He is a SMPTE Fellow, IEEE and NAB member, has the David Sarnoff Gold Medal and a Lifetime Achievment Emmy. He has a slightly different view of NTSC than most of us.

Jeff

Another tidbit I read somewhere -- the NTSC doesn't exist anymore!

I thought NTSC was Never The Same Color.... notice the missing
twice from Chris. Perhaps we are stupid here in Europe afterall :)