International Video & DVD Standards
by Gail Damerow & Andy Gallun

Back when videotape was invented, different manufacturers developed different methods for transmitting the signal from the tape through the video player to the monitor (TV set). Eventually the National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) of the United States developed a system that allowed all videotapes to be compatible with all video players. In those days videotapes played only in black and white.

When color came along the NTSC system was upgraded to accommodate the new technology. But since the system had initially been devised for black and white, the upgrade wasn't perfect. Insiders joke that NTSC stands for "Never The Same Color."

Taking advantage of newer technology, the PAL system (Phase Alternation by Line) was developed and adopted by many countries throughout the world. Although it resulted in improved color quality, the PAL system was not accepted in the United States and its economic allies because PAL videos would not have been compatible with the existing NTSC video machines.

A variation of the PAL system was developed by France and adopted by former communist-block countries in Europe and Africa. It was called Systeme Electronique pour Colour Avec Memorie (SECAM), which stands for "electronic system for color with memory." Since its primary purpose was to preserve the autonomy of these countries, insiders joke that SECAM stands for "System Essentially Contrary to the American Method."

None of these three systems plays properly on a video machine designed to play another system. If you are unsure which system is used in your country, please check the chart below before ordering videotapes.

All of the videos and DVDs offered through this website are in NTSC format. Because of the high cost of conversion, coupled with low demand, none of the DVDS or videos offered on this site are in PAL format, and no tapes or DVDs are offered in SECAM format.

Regardless of the format that transmits the video signal, all videotapes have the same physical VHS format.