What is the difference between PAL and NTSC bars? at DVinfo.net

Glen Maw · September 8th, 2008, 08:33 PM

Hi,

I am running Vegas 7, monitoring externally on a sony LMD-1420 display. I recently upgraded
from a CRT television, and there is no doubt that I have much more control over my levels with the sony monitor. My camera is a sony HVR-V1P which is a PAL camera, but it outputs the STPME NTSC color bar. I wondered why. All my projects are PAL so I would imagine that I should output the STPME PAL bars in sony vegas rather than use the camera bars.

A general question: what is the difference between PAL and NTSC STPME bars? Am I going to
notice any difference in my project if i use the NTSC bars? The reason I ask is because there are multiple threads and white papers on how to calibrate with NTSC bars, but pretty much none that I can find in PAL. The best one I've found so far is at Using Color Bars to Setup Monitors and Other Equipment

I was thinking I could either follow this guide with the NTSC chart or try follow it loosely, using the PAL bars.

I always seem to have trouble with the contrast level. It's up around 70, but I'm not sure if this is too high. Also when I calibrate with the STMPE PAL color bars, the white bar on the left hand side appears kind of brownish. I'm wondering if I need to white balance the monitor somehow. THere are two settings High and Low color temp. The default is low. I wonder if this has something to do with it?

Cheers,
Glen

Chris Soucy · September 9th, 2008, 12:50 AM

Can't help squat with the question (good one, BTW) but could you do us a favour and click on that "Contact Us" button at the bottom of the page and put in some details about where, exactly, you are in NZ?

Untill CH gets the "regional codes" thing working (however that's gonna work) nobody can tell where you are, and NZ ain't exactly small.

Thanks,

CS

William Hohauser · September 9th, 2008, 11:28 AM

On of the reasons is that NTSC is way more unstable in terms of color phase therefor needs more adjusting although digital video has reduced the problems by quite a bit.

Other than that PAL bars and NTSC bars are almost the same except the white bar on the left is 100% video in PAL and 77% video in NTSC. If you are sending your project to broadcast outlets in PAL countries I would stick with PAL bars just to reduce the confusion.

September 8th, 2008, 08:33 PM	#1
Glen Maw Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland Posts: 45	What is the difference between PAL and NTSC bars? Hi, I am running Vegas 7, monitoring externally on a sony LMD-1420 display. I recently upgraded from a CRT television, and there is no doubt that I have much more control over my levels with the sony monitor. My camera is a sony HVR-V1P which is a PAL camera, but it outputs the STPME NTSC color bar. I wondered why. All my projects are PAL so I would imagine that I should output the STPME PAL bars in sony vegas rather than use the camera bars. A general question: what is the difference between PAL and NTSC STPME bars? Am I going to notice any difference in my project if i use the NTSC bars? The reason I ask is because there are multiple threads and white papers on how to calibrate with NTSC bars, but pretty much none that I can find in PAL. The best one I've found so far is at Using Color Bars to Setup Monitors and Other Equipment I was thinking I could either follow this guide with the NTSC chart or try follow it loosely, using the PAL bars. I always seem to have trouble with the contrast level. It's up around 70, but I'm not sure if this is too high. Also when I calibrate with the STMPE PAL color bars, the white bar on the left hand side appears kind of brownish. I'm wondering if I need to white balance the monitor somehow. THere are two settings High and Low color temp. The default is low. I wonder if this has something to do with it? Cheers, Glen

September 9th, 2008, 12:50 AM	#2
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,688 Images: 18	Hi Glen............ Can't help squat with the question (good one, BTW) but could you do us a favour and click on that "Contact Us" button at the bottom of the page and put in some details about where, exactly, you are in NZ? Untill CH gets the "regional codes" thing working (however that's gonna work) nobody can tell where you are, and NZ ain't exactly small. Thanks, CS

September 9th, 2008, 11:28 AM	#3
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	On of the reasons is that NTSC is way more unstable in terms of color phase therefor needs more adjusting although digital video has reduced the problems by quite a bit. Other than that PAL bars and NTSC bars are almost the same except the white bar on the left is 100% video in PAL and 77% video in NTSC. If you are sending your project to broadcast outlets in PAL countries I would stick with PAL bars just to reduce the confusion. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation