DVD Region

The DVD region code identifies a DVD's compatibility with the players typically sold in a particular region. The following graphic shows the approximate location of each region. Region 0 DVDS (or "region free") are compatible with DVD players from any region. The majority of all current titles play only in one specific region.

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Video Formats: What Are They?

PAL/SEACM and NTSC are two different television formats. These formats precede the introduction of the DVD. They actually even precede the introduction of the videocassette (Phillips produced the first VCR in 1972).

 

 

What Do They Mean?

NTSC stands for "National Television Standards Committee" and was created in 1953. It is the standard format used for televisions in most of North and Central America, and Japan. In techno-speak it mandates 525 lines of resolution at 60 half frames per second.

PAL stands for "Phase Altering Line." Adopted in 1967, it is the standard format used for televisions in most of the world (other than the US, Canada, and Japan). In techno-speak it mandates 625 lines of resolution at 50 half frames per second. PAL TVs are said to give a more consistant hue than NTSC TVs. Brazil uses PAL-M, which differs slightly (525 lines of resolution with 60 half frames per second).

 

 

How Do They Affect Me?

Because PAL & NTSC are television formats, this issue is only relevant for DVD players that hook up to a television set. Computer DVD players hooked up to computer display devices (which are commonly neither NTSC or PAL/SEACAM) will display the content of the DVD irrespective of PAL/SEACAM or NTSC format. The same goes for a VCR.