TV Systems: A Comparison


Section Headings


TV Picture Format/Colour System Combinations

The Main Video Signal Standards
Name Frame/Field rate Aspect Ratio Scan Lines
TV standard Colour System Subcarrier Freq
NTSC 29.97/59.94 4:3 525
EIA NTSC 3.58MHz
PAL-M 29.97/59.94 4:3 525
EIA PAL 3.58MHz
SECAM-M 29.97/59.94 4:3 525
EIA SECAM ?.??MHz
PAL 25/50 4:3 625
CCIR PAL 4.43MHz
SECAM 25/50 4:3 625
CCIR SECAM 4.25/4.40MHz
D-MAC 25/50 4:3 or 16:9 625
D-MAC D-MAC N/A
PALplus 25/50 16:9 625
CCIR PAL 4.43MHz
HiVision 60/120 16:9 1125
HiVision MUSE Unknown

The Relative Merits of TV Systems

The differences between each of the main TV systems are not quite as clear cut as one might at first imagine. While NTSC has a reputation for poor colour accuracy, this is only really true of broadcast television and as a video format it has some distinct advantages over the other systems. All these systems are a compromise and many efforts have been made over the years to address the shortcomings in each of the systems.

In the section below, I have tried to create as objective as possible a comparison of these various pros and cons. The techniques that are used to overcome these limitations are discussed elsewhere.

NTSC/525 Advantages

NTSC/525 Disadvantages

PAL/625 Advantages

PAL/625 Disadvantages

SECAM/625 Advantages

SECAM/625 Disadvantages


Choose: Broadcast Standards Why Do Different...? Main Index


Bevis King <B.King@ee.surrey.ac.uk>
13th September 1995