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PAL SECAM
There are two main TV standards used in Europe. The PAL (Phase Alternating
Line) standard was implemented in most western european countries except
for France which implemented SECAM (Sequential Couleur Avec Memoire or Sequential
Colour with Memory). The SECAM standard uses the same bandwidth as PAL but
transmits the colour information sequentially. This means that a PAL device
(VCR, Television) can display a SECAM signal but only in B&W.
Therefore if you want to watch the output of a SECAM source (most French
satellite signals or a SECAM format video tape played on a SECAM compatible
VCR)) in colour you will need a Multistandard TV or a standards converter
box.
Multistandard TV
Most Televisions produced for the French market since 1993 are dual standard
(PAL / SECAM). However check before you buy one to make sure that the tuner
is also compatible for UK TV. Some televisons produced for the UK market
have support for SECAM playback via the SCART socket intended for video.
Most current Sony models (including the popular 28fx68 and 32fx68) do as
do a few Thomson, Philips and Toshiba models - but I would recommend you
check with the manufacturer first as specs change regularly.
WHAT VIDEO & TV magazine say "Any Toshiba TV ending with the
P prefix has a multistandard tuner, those that end with a B have a PAL
I tuner and multistandard playback. In our book multistandard means PAL,
NTSC and Secam." PAL I is UK compatible and NTSC is the US standard.
(part 2)
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