Your profile says you're in the UK in which case don't even consider purchasing an NTSC camera. NTSC is the sub-standard TV system that the US is lumped with due to ancient regulations about backwards compatibility. Most TV engineers joke that "NTSC" stands for "Never Twice the Same Colour".

Without going in the serious technical details, for the purposes of this discussion NTSC shouldn't be used simply because it is lower resolution than PAL (resulting in poorer picture quality). NTSC uses 525 lines where as PAL uses 625. PAL is also more suited to transferring to film because it has an effective frame rate of 25fps, where as NTSC has a framerate of 29.97fps and therefore requires some complex trickery to get it into line with 24fps film.

On top of all of this, if you want to view your NSTC footage, you'll have to ensure you have a TV or monitor that is dual-mode.

You won't have to buy special tapes for the camera, since the video standard isn't set until your actually record on to it.

All in all, unless they are offering you the camera for free, I would recommend passing.

Ben Craig.
filmmaking.net

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Does that mean you can watch NTSC footage back through any mini DV camera? If so can you then not just put it onto pal video?

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Originally posted by filmmaking.net

Your profile says you're in the UK in which case don't even consider purchasing an NTSC camera. NTSC is the sub-standard TV system that the US is lumped with due to ancient regulations about backwards compatibility. Most TV engineers joke that "NTSC" stands for "Never Twice the Same Colour".

Without going in the serious technical details, for the purposes of this discussion NTSC shouldn't be used simply because it is lower resolution than PAL (resulting in poorer picture quality). NTSC uses 525 lines where as PAL uses 625. PAL is also more suited to transferring to film because it has an effective frame rate of 25fps, where as NTSC has a framerate of 29.97fps and therefore requires some complex trickery to get it into line with 24fps film.

On top of all of this, if you want to view your NSTC footage, you'll have to ensure you have a TV or monitor that is dual-mode.

You won't have to buy special tapes for the camera, since the video standard isn't set until your actually record on to it.

All in all, unless they are offering you the camera for free, I would recommend passing.

Ben Craig.
filmmaking.net

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I know that my PAL TRV900 will play NTSC tapes. However, that's not the point.

NTSC is 720x480?30Hz, PAL is 720x576?25Hz. They're fundamentally differnet video formats, and your PAL VCR will not record NSTC video (or, at least, not unless it's an expensive one that can do the conversion).

In the UK there's no reason whatsoever to record in NTSC unless you're going to send NTSC tapes to friends abroad.

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In the UK there's no reason whatsoever to record in NTSC unless you're going to send NTSC tapes to friends abroad.

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Following on from this, we'd add that if you are in the UK there is no reason whatsoever to acquire or edit on NTSC. If you want to send a tape to the US, produce it in PAL and convert your final film onto an NTSC tape prior to sending. Do all of your production and post in PAL.

filmmaking.net

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Thanks for the advice - as a UK resident, it sounds like NTSC would be too much trouble.

However, let's just imagine the camera was being given away - I couldn't say no, so I embrace the gift. What are the consequences for my production and post-production work? What equipment would I have to reinvest in?

I suspect I would end up "forking out" for new equipment thus rendering the gift as not.

cheers

Ray

serious about nothin' 'cept film

If it's a "give away", why not take the offer and use it as a trade-in later for a camera with PAL format ?
Who knows, You might meet a traveling-filmimaking usa citizen to whom the thing could be sold just after You pick it up. A bargain's a bargain never to be scoffed at !

One-take Wonder !

Hi B.I.G.

thanks for the positive, "go get em" advice and just right too. Never scoff at a gift. However, I never said that it was a gift - one of the replies stated that the only good reason for getting an NTSC is if it's free. It would have cost me a few thousand dollars but I would've saved several thousand pounds. Anyway, I've decided to bite the bullet and fork out the full UK price (UK dealers are laughing all the way to the bank 🙂

Btw if anyone in the London area needs a man-with-a-cam sometime in the new year, then let me know.

Ray

serious about nothin' 'cept film

As a side point, many good camera shops in New York will stock some PAL equipment. PAL DV cameras have become more popular with US filmmakers because of the higher resolution and more friendly frame rate for finishing on film. So if your plan was to pick up one on a transatlantic jaunt, then it is still possible to save a bit (you'll of course have to "sneak" it past British customs on the way back in though).

Ben C.

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You might think that was my original plan - I couldn't possibly comment.

Thanks for all the advice.

Ray

serious about nothin' 'cept film