HDTV - one resolution for all?

[Mike Fishcake]

Hi,

Apologies if this has been asked many times before, but with the advent of HDTV, are there seperate versions for PAL and NTSC, or is HDTV a worldwide thing? (1080 and 720 resolutions considered)

[directhex]

proper HD resolutions (1080 and 720p) are global. The methods of transmitting them (e.g. DVB-T versus ATSC) are not.

[chrestomanci]

The frame rate is also different. 25 or 50Hz in europe, 30 or 60 in the states.

If the signal is transmited over analoge then there are dozens of formats with different amounts of blanking and spare lines, different sync pulses etc.

[Nick F]

It's so annoying that there are so many different specifications. It would be much better for a simple resolution to exist.

[Funkstar]

I know. I can understand why NTSC and PAL had different frequencies in the past, but not now. Itæs not like we are constrained by the mains electrical frequency these days.

[chrestomanci]

Originally Posted by Funkstar

I know. I can understand why NTSC and PAL had different frequencies in the past, but not now. Itæs not like we are constrained by the mains electrical frequency these days.

TV production companies, especially those producing live broadcasts, have a house sync so that pictures from different sources mix correctly. If they are also producing SD programs (or using SD library pictures in HD programs), the HD material needs to sync with the SD material.

[Funkstar]

never thought about it from a production point of view, makes a little more sense that way.