Video Standards

PAL and NTSC are two different worldwide television standards. Watching a VHS tape or a DVD-Video on standard equipment bought in that country will require you to purchase your DVD or Video in the correct TV Standard. PAL is the UK standard and applies to most of Europe except France and other countries throughout the world. Please check the table below for details. NTSC is the USA standard and applies also to Japan and other countries throughout the world. Please check our table for details.

PAL format for DVD or VHS video

PAL is the system required for playback of programmes in the following countries:

United Kingdom
Abu Dhabi
Afganistan
Albania
Algeria
Andora
Australia
Austria
Azores
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belgium
Bosnia
Botswana
Brunei
Burundi
Canary Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Croatia
Cyprus (Turkish)
Denmark
Dubai
Eire
Equatorial Guinea
Finland
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greenland
Hong Kong
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Israel
Italy
Jordan
Kenya
Korea (North)
Kuwait
Lesotho
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Luxemburg
Macau
Madeira
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Mozambique
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
San Marino
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Somalia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Tanzania
Thailand
Turkey
Uganda
UAE
United Kingdom
Vatican
Zambia
Zimbabwe

NTSC format for DVD or VHS video

NTSC is the system required for playback of programmes in the following countries:

Antigua
Aruba
Bahamas
Barbados
Belau
Bermuda
Bolivia
Burma
Cambodia
Canada
Cayman Islands
Chile
Columbia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Galapagos Islands
Guatamala
Haiti
Hawaii
Honduras
Jamaica
Japan
Korea (South)
Mexico
Monserrat
Nicaragua
Panama
Peru
Phillipines
Puerto Rico
Samoa (East)
Taiwan
Trinidad and Tobago
USA
Venezuala
Virgin Islands
Virgin Isles (British)