Can I Play PAL VHS on NTSC VCR? Easy Explanation

While clearing your store room or basement, you find out a few VHS (Video Home System) that has PAL (Phase Alternating Line) written on them. Now, you are curious to know what is inside of this old VHS. For this, you went up and take out your old NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) VCR (Videocassette recorder).

Now you may wonder whether it’s possible for the NTSC VCR to play PAL VHS or not. Well, in short, the answer is Yes but there will be no output. You will require either a PAL VCR or a converter that can convert PAL to NTSC and then you will be able to find out what is inside the PAL VHS.

We have briefly discussed what issue you will have while playing PAL VHS on NTSC VCR. Let’s begin then!

What Will Happen if PAL VHS is Played on NTSC VCR

Basically, NTSC and PAL are two different types of video standards that are used globally. If you are willing to play a PAL tape on an NTSC VCR then you will get distorted images as the output.

Simply put, NTSC VCR isn’t capable of viewing a PAL VHS. You will be able to put the VHS inside the VCR and it will start playing but, on the screen, there will be nothing or you may have a black or white image or stretched or distorted images.

Basically, these two aren’t compatible with each other and that’s why you will get distorted images. The reason behind this issue is, they have different frame rates, video bandwidth, video frequency, and so on. When there are mismatched in frame rates, video bandwidth, video frequency, etc. between the tape and the VCR, then the VCR failed to display the actual output from the tape.

Is There Any Way to Play PAL VHS on NTSC VCR?

The only way is using a converter. In the Amazon or nearby electrical shop, you will find a PAL to NTSC converter. You will need to simply connect the VCR and TV with the converter box. The converter box will help to convert the PAL signal of the VHS to NTSC signals and then it will able to view the actual video without any issues. 

Alternatively, you can buy a Multi-system VCR which is capable of playing both PAL and NTSC VHS without any issues.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQs)

How do I convert PAL to NTSC?

There are different software available that can be used for converting PAL to NTSC. For example, you can use Wondershare for converting PAL to NTSC. First, you will need to launch Wondershare on your PC and load the PAL video that you want to convert. Then change the video resolution and frame rate to 720 X 480 and 23.97 fps. Now, start the converting process.

Are VHS tapes PAL or NTSC?

Generally, both of them are standard formats of VHS. VHS comes in either PAL format or NTSC format. In North America, NTSC VHS is used whereas Western Europe and Asia countries use PAL VHS.

Can I use European PAL VCRs in the USA?

PAL VCRs are only capable of playing PAL VHS. So, if you have PAL VHS available in your house then you can use the VCR without any issues. Just load the VHS and start enjoying the video.

Are VHS regions locked?

Absolutely not. It doesn’t have any region coding. Just you will need to use the dedicated or multiformat VCR for playing the VHS you have. It’s like plug n play-type thing.

Conclusion

To sum up, without any third-party help, you won’t be able to get a proper visual experience when playing PAL VHS on NTSC VCR. You will have an image distortion issue which is a very unpleasant thing. So, if you have an NTSC VCR and PAL VHS, then buy the converter box, and then you can fully enjoy the PAL VHS in the NTSC VCR.