Although VHS and other tape formats are the same throughout the World, the video standard or electronic signal that is recorded on the cassette varies from country to country. The two most common video standards used are NTSC and PAL.
NTSC is the video system or standard used in North America and most of South America. In NTSC, 30 frames are transmitted each second. Each frame is made up of 525 individual scan lines.
PAL is the predominant video system or standard mostly used overseas. In PAL, 25 frames are transmitted each second. Each frame is made up of 625 individual scan lines.
To determine your video standard refer to the chart below:
| PAL | NTSC |
|---|---|
|
Afghanistan Algeria Argentina (N) Austria Australia Bangladesh Belgium Brazil (M) China Denmark Finland Germany Hong Kong Iceland India Indonesia Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jordan Kenya Kuwait Liberia Malaysia Netherlands Nigeria Norway New Guinea Pakistan Singapore South Africa South W. Africa Sudan Sweden Switzerland Thailand Turkey Uganda United Kingdom United Arab Emirates Yugoslavia Zambia |
Canada Chile Costa Rica Cuba Dominican Republic Ecuador Japan Mexico Nicaragua Panama Peru Philippines Puerto Rico South Korea Taiwan U.S.A. |