PAL which stands for Phase Alternating Line, is an analogue television system used in many Asian, African, and European countries to show video. The current PAL standard has a slightly higher resolution then its NTSC brother which is used in most North American countries as wells as some Central American, Asia, and Pacific areas that are US Territories.
This higher resolution gives PAL an advantage over NTSC when displaying movies, graphics, and other media. Many media enthusiasts and video engineers agree that the PAL standard is superior over NTSC, however it does depend on what content you are displaying.
Besides the video resolution PAL and NTSC display different frame rates per second which can make converting and looking at PAL content on a NTSC screen difficult. Some PAL players can play back NTSC material successfully, however most NTSC devices do not display PAL resolution.
In order to combat this change in format and resolution, cameras, camcorders, and other computer and video accessories have begun to offer a "switch" from PAL to NTSC. However, there are still many devices that are purchased outside North America are PAL only, and can not be shown on a NTSC screen. As a consumer traveling outside the country, returning home to find out that purchased videos or camera equipment doesn’t work as expected can be frustrating.
Thankfully, a simple adapter is really all that is required to show PAL content on a NTSC screen or device. These adapters vary in price and features, so it's important that you purchase the right converter for your needs. One thing to remember, no matter what video source you are converting, audio standards generally remain the same across countries. For example, some converters include standard RCA jacks, but remember, they include these jacks for convenience and that audio ports do not necessarily need to be connected to the converting box for everything to work properly.
For most applications, a compact and inexpensive box is all you really need. Other PAL to NTSC converting boxes include S-video as well as composite connectors offering a greater flexibility of compatible devices. Generally speaking, when you find the need to purchase a converting box to show your media on a NTSC screen or monitor they should cost no more than 50-60 dollars (US).
For more information about PAL and NTSC standards, please visit wikipedia's article about the PAL Standard
Devin Collier is a product manager for PAL to NTSC converting adapters for SewellDirect.com. He also provides printer tips and tricks in personal blogs called PrinterHacks.com and Laseright.
Source: www.articlesphere.com
