MULTI SYSTEM PAL SUPPORT

Multi system PAL support makes reference to the manufactured PAL television receivers that can decode all PAL systems except, in some cases, PAL-M and PAL-N. Many of them can also receive Eastern European and Middle Eastern SECAM, though rarely French broadcast SECAM. They will correctly display plain CVBS or S-video SECAM signals.

Many can also accept baseband NTSC-M, such as from a VCR or game console, though not usually broadcast NTSC. Many sets also support NTSC with a 4.43 MHz subcarrier.

Many newer Video Cassette recorders and DVD players sold in Europe can play back NTSC tapes/discs. When operating in this mode most of them do not output a true (625/25) PAL signal but rather a hybrid of PAL and NTSC known as “PAL 60″ (or “pseudo PAL”) with “60″ standing for 60 Hz, instead of 50 Hz. Some video game consoles also output a signal in this mode.

Most newer television sets can display such a signal correctly but some will only do so (if at all) in black and white and/or with flickering/foldover at the bottom of the picture, or picture rolling (it can be noted, however, that many analogue-era TV sets can receive the picture by means of adjusting the V-Hold and V-Height knobs — assuming they have them).

Very few TV tuner cards or video capture cards will support this mode (a small number can, although software/driver modification is usually required and the manufacturers’ specs are usually unclear).
A “PAL 60″ signal is similar to an NTSC (525/30) signal but with a PAL chrominance subcarrier at 4.43 MHz (instead of 3.58) and with the PAL-specific phase alternation of the red colour difference signal between the lines.