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Why NTSC and PAL Still Matter With HDTV
How digital TV and HDTV are linked to analog television standards
By Robert Silva Robert Silva Writer San Diego State University Robert Silva has extensive experience in consumer electronics and home theater product sales and sales supervision; he has written about audio, video, and home theater topics since 1998. Robert has articles published on HBO.com and Dishinfo.com plus has made appearances on the YouTube series Home Theater Geeks. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 2, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section Frame Rate Lines and Pixels NTSC and PAL DTV/HDTV and NTSC/PAL FPS PAL-Based DTV and HDTV FPS Bottom Line Even with the introduction and acceptance of digital TV and HDTV broadcasting and source devices (such as Blu-ray Disc players and media streaming), the old barriers to a universal video standard have not been removed. This article explains why the NTSC and PAL standards still matter. This information applies to TVs from a variety of manufacturers, including, but not limited to, LG, Samsung, Panasonic, Sony, and Vizio. Frame Rate
Although video is now mostly digital, the frame rate used in analog video systems is incorporated into digital TV and HDTV standards. In video (analog, HD, and 4K Ultra HD), as in film, the images viewed on the screen look like complete frames. However, there are differences in the way frames are transmitted by broadcasters, transferred through streaming or physical media devices, and displayed on a screen. Lines and Pixels
Video images that are broadcast live or recorded are composed of scan lines or pixel rows. In film, the whole image displays at once. In contrast, the lines or pixel rows in a video image display across the screen, starting at the top of the screen and moving to the bottom. These rows display in either an interlaced or progressive format. Samsung Interlacing or interlaced scan splits the lines into two fields. Odd-numbered lines or pixel rows display first, and even-numbered lines or pixel rows display next, producing a complete frame. Progressive scan displays rows sequentially instead of transmitting rows as two alternate fields. This means both odd and even-numbered lines or pixel rows display in numerical sequence. The number of vertical lines or pixel rows dictates the image detail. The more lines in an image, the more detail. The number of lines is fixed within a system. NTSC and PAL
The two main analog video systems are NTSC and PAL. NTSC is a 525-line or pixel row, 60 fields with 30 frames-per-second, at 60 Hz system for transmission and display of video images. Each frame is transmitted in two fields of 262 lines or pixel rows that display alternately (interlaced). The two fields are combined, so each frame displays with 525 lines or pixel rows. NTSC is the official analog video standard in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, some parts of Central and South America, Japan, Taiwan, and Korea. PAL is the dominant format in the world for analog TV broadcasting and analog video display. It's a 625 line or pixel row, 50 fields with 25 frames a second, 50Hz system. Like NTSC, the signal is interlaced into two fields, composed of 312 lines or pixel rows each. Since fewer frames (25) display per second, a slight flicker in the image is sometimes noticeable, like the flicker on projected film. However, PAL has a slightly higher resolution and better color stability than NTSC. Countries with roots in the PAL system include the U.K., Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, China, India, Australia, most of Africa, and the Middle East. Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain DigitalTV HDTV and NTSC PAL Frame Rates
Although the increased resolution of digital and high-definition broadcast and video software content standards is a step up when comparing HDTV to analog NTSC and PAL standards, the frame rate is the common foundation of both systems. In NTSC-based countries, 30 separate frames display every second (one complete frame every 1/30th of a second). In PAL-based countries, 25 separate frames display every second (one complete frame displays every 1/25th of a second). These frames display using either the interlaced scan method (480i or 1080i) or the progressive scan method (480p, 720p, or 1080p). Where digital and HDTV evolved from NTSC is if frames transmit as an interlaced image (1080i), each frame is composed of two fields, each displays every 60th of a second, and a complete frame displays every 30th of a second, using an NTSC-based 30 frames-per-second frame rate. If the frame is transmitted in the progressive scan format (720p or 1080p), it displays twice every 30th of a second. PAL-Based Digital TV and HDTV Frame Rate
Where digital and HDTV evolved from PAL is if frames transmit as an interlaced image (1080i), each frame is composed of two fields, each displays every 50th of a second, and a complete frame displays every 25th of a second, using a PAL-based 25 frames-per-second frame rate. If the frame transmits in the progressive scan format (720p or 1080p), it displays twice every 25th of a second. The Bottom Line
Digital TV, HDTV, and Ultra HD, although a big leap forward in what you see on a TV or projection screen, still has roots in analog video standards that are more than 65 years old. As a result, there are differences in digital and HDTV standards in use throughout the world, reinforcing the barrier to a worldwide video standard. Also, as conversion continues towards digital and HD-only transmission, many still have NTSC and PAL-based video playback devices, such as VCRs, analog camcorders, and non-HDMI equipped DVD players plugged into HDTVs (and 4K Ultra HD TVs). Even with formats such as Blu-ray, there are cases where the film or main video content may be in HD, and some of the supplementary video features may be in the standard resolution NTSC or PAL formats. DVDs are still made in either the NTSC or PAL formats. Although 4K content is now widely available via streaming and Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc, 4K TV broadcast standards are in the early stages of implementation. TVs that are 4K-compliant must support analog video formats as long as analog video playback devices are in use. 8K resolution streaming and broadcasting is now a thing as well, although its high price holds it back from mainstream adoption. Eventually, you may no longer use analog video devices, but that day isn't there quite yet. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire What Is HDTV? 720p vs. 1080i vs. 1080p Digital TV vs. Analog TV Video Frame Rate vs Screen Refresh Rate Can You Still Use an Analog TV? What Is Progressive Scan Video? How to Fix a Glitchy TV Screen FHD vs UHD: What's The Difference? Should You Buy a Blu-ray Player? What's the Difference Between Digital TV and HDTV? How Does Standard DVD Upscaling Compare to Blu-ray? All About 1080p FHD TVs How to Reduce GIF File Size for Better Website Performance How Many HDMI Inputs Do I Want on an HDTV? How to Record Cable TV With a VCR A Beginner's Guide to HD Camcorders Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies