Several different standards for TV transmissions and recording of VHS video
tapes are in use throughout the world.
So a video tape recorded in one
country may not play on a video recorder in another country.
The most common
example of this is a VHS tape recorded in the USA or Canada wont play on a
normal video in the UK. or a tape recorded in France wont play in colour in the
UK.
The reason for this is the different standards in use in different
countries.
Most non copyright VHS tapes can be copied through a standards converter to or
from the UK system so they can be played here or sent to another country.
Some video shops offer this service for non copyright tapes and usualy have an ad in the local phone book.
Also a lot of the modern TV and video equipment on sale in the UK
will allow NTSC playback (but not NTSC recording) of tapes from the USA and
Canada, as will multisystem TV and video equipment.
So have a look at your
instruction books to see if your equipment can.
If you wish to receive
tapes from or send tapes to another country have a look at the TV Standards list
and if both countries use the same standard you should be ok.
For example
the UK uses PAL colour System I so tapes can be exchanged with other countries
using the PAL I system, This also includes the PAL B,G,H System for tape
exchange.
But not for export or import of the TV or Video recorder without
conversion to the equipment.
If the country uses a different colour system
NTSC, SECAM, PAL(M)(N) then tapes will require standard conversion to play
properly, unless the TV and Video equipment in both countries can handle the
same system you use to record the tapes.
Also remember if you record tapes in long play mode not all video recorders
can play LP. tapes.
International TV Standards List,
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