HDV PAL/NTSC considerations

[shaibt]

Hi,

I'm looking for a clarification about NTSC/PAL implications on HDV material.
As far as I understand for HD/HDV video the only difference between PAL & NTSC is frame rate (while in SD the frame size is also different). For NTSC the rates will be usually 1080i60 or 720p60 and for PAL they will be 1080i50 or 720p50 (without getting into the whole 24p/25p/30p issues).

My question is regarding HD playback and display equipement (displaying HDV footage):
Apart for DVD region codes, does the whole NTSC/PAL compatability issue exist in HD as well?
Does someone know if "standard" Blu-ray/HD-DVD players and HDTVs can handle both? Will my PAL LCD screen not expect NTSC frame rates? is it blocked by the equipement vendors? Are we stuck with the same problems as with SD video and requirements for "multisystem" playback & display?

Thanks in advance for any clarification or link to a relevant answer.

[2Bdecided]

Most European HDTVs will display almost anything.

Most USA HDTVs will not display 50Hz based signals.

This is true of HDMI and component, 1080i and 720p. There are some variations.

Sorry, but I have no idea about equipment destined for other areas.

Cheers,
David.

[jman98]

2Bdecided's post is excellent, succinct, and correct.

BluRay and HD DVD discs are authored to output 24 fps 1080p video (well, 720p and 1080i are also supported, but just go with the 1080p statement as it's true for almost everything) and leave it up to the display device to convert it if necessary. I have some French made HD DVDs and they output 24 fps 1080p video and my USA HDTV displays it with no problems. The HD DVD and BluRay camps decided to just author everything (well, everything I have seen) as 24 fps 1080p to avoid those kinds of problems that SDTV has.

[edDV]

The HD DVD and BluRay camps decided to just author everything (well, everything I have seen) as 24 fps 1080p to avoid those kinds of problems that SDTV has.

True for movies but HD DVD and BluRay also support all the legacy formats plus 1080i and 720p at traditional frame rates. As far as I know, PAL frame rates still won't play to most USA TV sets.

Before you buy a TV in the US, you should test PAL 576i/576p DVDs to see if they play. You will never find this in the specs except for models advertised as multi standard.