DVD format (not region) question - US NTSC format

[CharlieAlpha66]

Are there any 'techies' out there that can help me with this one please..?

I am considering buying a number of DVD's (Christmas presents) but there is a consideration that might make it a no-go.

The DVD's were originally presented in IMAX theaters and have been remastered for home use. They are in region 0 format, which means that they will play on any DVD player BUT I am told that they have been "encoded using the US NTSC format" and as such I need to check that my TV (or rather the TV of the person the DVD is a gift for) can cope with this.

Apparently most modern 28" or widescreen TV's will cope with NTSC - but neither I nor the gift's recipient have such a thing, so.... ??

I have read on the Web what NTSC is (National Television System Committee) but I am really none the wiser.

Is this a show stopper therefore..?

Other words that appear on the DVD are XCQ which stands for Extreme Cinema Quality - based on IMAX technology. It's all beyond me I'm afraid....

>>> Edited by CharlieAlpha66 on Wednesday 15th December 16:22

[Plotloss]

There is a different number of lines between the UK PAL standard and the US NTSC standard.

Most modern tellies will play NTSC

[einion yrth]

Plotloss said:

There is a different number of lines between the UK PAL standard and the US NTSC standard. Most modern tellies will play NTSC

Completely different colour encoding too, but most modern tellies will cope, older ones tend to manage, but only in black and white.

[bigandclever]

Practically all TV sets manfactured over the last five years will play a pure NTSC signal. Just make sure you connect via the scart socket (not RF). Earlier than that and you'll most likely get a B&W picture.

I *think* ECQ is a brandname indicating the original source was the IMAX format.

[CharlieAlpha66]

Plotloss said:

Most modern tellies will play NTSC

Thanks for this so far. Can you quantify 'modern' please?
Mine is ~6-7 years old and the recipients likely around the same.

[CharlieAlpha66]

bigandclever said:

Practically all TV sets manfactured over the last five years will play a pure NTSC signal.

Ohhh bugger!

[einion yrth]

One thing that also has to be born in mind is that NTSC picture quality is seriously sh1te, the vertical resolution is rubbish, and the colours nasty washed out and crawling all over the place. Cannot understand how the septics have managed to put up with it all these years.

[bigandclever]

Assuming the DVD player can output pure NTSC, you can get NTSC (ie the DVD player) to PAL (ie the old TV) converters, but they're about 50quid. How generous are you at Xmas?

[KITT]

Charlie what make/model is the TV? Should be easy enought to check the spec using Google

[jeremyc]

einion yrth said:

One thing that also has to be born in mind is that NTSC picture quality is seriously sh1te, the vertical resolution is rubbish, and the colours nasty washed out and crawling all over the place. Cannot understand how the septics have managed to put up with it all these years.

NTSC = Never The Same Color (sic).

[GregE240]

jeremyc said:

einion yrth said: One thing that also has to be born in mind is that NTSC picture quality is seriously sh1te, the vertical resolution is rubbish, and the colours nasty washed out and crawling all over the place. Cannot understand how the septics have managed to put up with it all these years. NTSC = Never The Same Color (sic).

Bugger.....beaten to it. Damn you, Copp!

Hope alls well with you, sir...

[CharlieAlpha66]

KITT said:

Charlie what make/model is the TV? Should be easy enought to check the spec using Google

It's a JVC but I'm unsure of the model sitting here in the orrifice still. I am about to leave and go Xmas shopping though, so I'll not be home until 10ish. Will check then and report back.

Cheers all