Video format

Refers to video standards ie. the difference in frames per second used by display screens in different parts of the world.

Conventional television screens are made up of horizontal lines, while computer monitors consist of a series of horizontal and vertical Pixels.

There are two display systems in commercial use:

• PAL (Phase Alternating Line) - Standard in Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
  • TV screen: Frame rate of 25 fps (frames per second) with 576 lines
  • Computer screen: Frames are always 720 x 576 Pixels, regardless of video source.

   

  • NTSC (National Television System Committee) - Standard in the U.S. and Canada.
    • TV screen: Frame rate of 30 fps using 525 lines
    • Computer screen: 525 lines be represented as 720 x 486 Pixels.

     

    Note: All PAL DVD players output NTSC, and most PAL TVs will display NTSC with no problems.