NTSC to NTSC

[Communer]

I'm in Australia and have a 240-v NEC NTSC Playback vcr connected to a Sony Bravia NTSC tv I brought from the U.S. Via an adapter, the tv's power is 19.5 v DC from 240-v 50-Hz line current. Playback of U.S. VHS tapes produces black and white video only. Silly me, I assumed an "NTSC" vcr could play NTSC VHS tapes to an NTSC tv. Can anyone explain why the video is only black and white?

[Cornucopia]

Model #s...?

Scott7

[jagabo]

Your VCR probably isn't an NTSC VCR but rather a PAL VCR. Most PAL VCRs can play NTSC tapes. But when they do so they output a signal that has NTSC timing on the luma but PAL chroma -- called PAL60. PAL TVs understand that signal and will play it properly -- with full color. An NTSC TV understands the luma but not the chroma. Hence a greyscale picture.

[Communer]

The Model is a NEC VH-604.
Thank you, jagabo. I read about PAL 60 but didn't see an explanation why black and white only was produced.
I reckon the vcr has the label "NTSC Playback" on the front because NEC assumes if it's 240 v, then you must be in a PAL country like Australia and are connecting to a PAL tv.

[hech54]

NTSC playback in a PAL country is rarely a problem.
PAL playback in an NTSC country is almost ALWAYS a problem.
It has nothing to do with voltage by the way.

[jagabo]

The Model is a NEC VH-604.
Thank you, jagabo. I read about PAL 60 but didn't see an explanation why black and white only was produced.
I reckon the vcr has the label "NTSC Playback" on the front because NEC assumes if it's 240 v, then you must be in a PAL country like Australia and are connecting to a PAL tv.

But don't you have a PAL TV you can view the tape with? That should display the picture properly. From the VH-602 manual (probably similar):

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1100993/Nec-Vh-602.html?page=2#manual

NTSC PLAYBACK ON PAL CTV Allows you to play NTSC video tapes from overseas on most brands of colour television receivers capable of resolving at 60 Hz video signal.

[Cornucopia]

Your VCR probably isn't an NTSC VCR but rather a PAL VCR. Most PAL VCRs can play NTSC tapes. But when they do so they output a signal that has NTSC timing on the luma but PAL chroma -- called PAL60. PAL TVs understand that signal and will play it properly -- with full color. An NTSC TV understands the luma but not the chroma. Hence a greyscale picture.

My thought exactly, which is why I wanted the model #s.

Scott

[Communer]

Yes, I have a PAL tv. I can play my tapes now that I have connected the vcr to the proper tv. I first tried the NTSC Bravia because I was unaware of the chrominance signal difference. I wrongly assumed that because both devices are "NTSC" that compensatory circuitry was included that would provide the complete viewing experience. Live and learn.
Thank you for the manual link.