A: The videos which are included on the
Amiga Forever DVDs respect the original
video content of the footage, which is NTSC. This requires no
conversion for playback on NTSC TVs (as used for example in
North America).
Modern PAL DVD players (as used for example in Europe)
usually automatically convert the NTSC signal to PAL, for
optimal playback on PAL-only TVs. Because dual-standard TVs
exist which can play back both PAL and NTSC videos, PAL DVD
players usually offer the option (e.g. via the player's menu) to
either convert or not convert NTSC videos when playing them
back.
If the NTSC signal is not converted to PAL by the DVD player,
and if the TV does not support the NTSC signal, then the video
will show as black and white instead of color. This can usually
be fixed in one of two ways:
- Verify that NTSC to PAL conversion is enabled in the
DVD player options or switches
- Verify that the selected video output (e.g. SCART, RGB,
S-Video, or Composite) supports the desired conversion, as
not all DVD players support the conversion over all output
connections
On PAL versions of the Sony PlayStation 2 device, NTSC video
output is supported only via the S-Video output.
Some PAL DVD players partially convert NTSC to a "60 Hz PAL"
signal, meaning that that the color encoding is converted to
true PAL, but the scan format and rate are otherwise NTSC
(525/60 instead of 625/50). Most modern PAL TVs support this
signal, but a few sets may not be able to display this signal.
Ultimately, where the output of an NTSC DVD by a PAL DVD
player is not suitable for playback on a pure PAL TV, the use of
an NTSC to PAL converter between the DVD player and the TV may
be required. These converters may however be more expensive than
a modern low-cost DVD player.
