What is the difference between PAL and NTSC formatted DVDs?

PAL (Phase Alternate Lines) Vs. NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) DVD has brought with it a similar problem we had with video and laser disc, two main formats not being compatible with each other. Most televisions have been designed over the past few years to accept both PAL and NTSC. But say for example if you play a NTSC DVD on a PAL system television the picture on your monitor will be distorted in black and white. Below is a list of countries and their standards, but don t forget most modern televisions will accept both PAL and NTSC DVDs. PAL - Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Borneo, Bosnia-Herzogovina, Botswana, Cambodia, Canary Islands, China, Cyprus, Denmark, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Gibralter, Great Britain, Greenland, Guinea-Bissau, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Korea (North), Kuwait, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Mozambique, Nepal, ...  more

PAL (Phase Alternate Lines) Vs. NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) DVD has brought with it a similar problem we had with video and laser disc, two main formats not being compatible with each other. Most televisions have been designed over the past few years to accept both PAL and NTSC. But say for example if you play a NTSC DVD on a PAL system television the picture on your monitor will be distorted in black and white. Below is a list of countries and their standards, but don t forget most modern televisions will accept both PAL and NTSC DVDs. PAL Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Borneo, Bosnia-Herzogovina, Botswana, Cambodia, Canary Islands, China, Cyprus, Denmark, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Gibralter, Great Britain, Greenland, Guinea-Bissau, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Korea (North), Kuwait, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Mozambique, Nepal, ...