Expert: Octane - 3/25/2006

Question
1. What is the difference with PAL and NTSC?
2. Why are they different?
3. is there any way that i can use a NTSC gamecube game on a pal gamecube?
of not is there a way to play a NTSC gc game in australia (like a translator)?

Answer
G'day,

Appoligies in the delay getting back to you.

The Americans, Canadan & Japan use "NTSC" (National Television System Committee).  Western Europe, Australia, UK & New Zealand use "PAL" (Phase Alternating Line).  Plus there are 3 types of PAL systems.

The main difference is lines per inch (LPI) on the screen and the signal frequency (Mhz).  (I have no idea why different country have different TV Signal.)


Technical Stats are as follows.


NTSC

Lines/Field 525/60
Horizontal Frequency 15.734 kHz
Vertical Frequency 60 Hz
Color Subcarrier Frequency 3.579545 MHz
Video Bandwidth 4.2 MHz
Sound Carrier 4.5 MHz



PAL

Line/Field 625/50
Horizontal Freq. 15.625 kHz
Vertical Freq. 50 Hz
Color Sub Carrier 4.433618  
Video Bandwidth 5.0 MHz
Sound Carrier 5.5 MHz

PAL N

Line/Field 625/50
Horizontal Freq. 15.625  
Vertical Freq. 50
Color Sub Carrier MHz 3.582056 MHz
Video Bandwidth 4.2 MHz
Sound Carrier 4.5 MHz

PAL M

Line/Field 525/60
Horizontal Freq. 15.750 kHz
Vertical Freq. 60 Hz
Color Sub Carrier 3.575611 MHz
Video Bandwidth 4.2 MHz
Sound Carrier 4.5 MHz

Most Australian TV/VCR & DVD are fairly much universal.  They will accept both a Pal or NTSC signal.  (Or at least switch between the 2.)  Where as Most USA equipment will only accept NTSC.

At the moment I know of know hardware modification of a Gamecube to make it accept NTSC (Japan or USA) Games on a PAL (Australian) Unit.

But there is a disk product out there called "Freeloader"  Which allows you to play NTSC games on PAL machines or PAL Games on NTSC Machines.  It is a Disk you put in the machine, boot it up.  Then follow some instructions on the Screen then load up you other disk.  It works that simple.  Resonably priced as well.

Hope this helps.