What is the encoding system of my DVD?

Video on Blu-ray discs and DVDs is stored in digital format, but is formatted for one of two systems: NTSC or PAL. The system used varies from country to country. Players are typically capable of playing only one of the systems.

NTSC is the format used in the United States, Canada, South America, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, and other countries. In NTSC, 30 frames are transmitted each second and each frame is made up of 525 individual scan lines.

PAL is the predominant format used in most of Europe, Africa, China, India, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, North Korea, and other countries. In PAL, 25 frames are transmitted each second. Each frame is made up of 625 individual scan lines.