What is the difference between NTSC and PAL?

[seals1]

Ok i am going to pre-order a game off of amazon that is being released in about 23 days (i am sure you all know what it is, otherwise why are u a member on GTP?) and i live in Australia. I have a standard definition TV and a fat PS3 (just taking care off some variables). What is the difference between the NTSC and the PAL versions and will it work on my PS3?
Thankyou in advance.

 

[drivatar]

Assuming you're talking about "PAL" and NTSC" versions of PS3 games:

PAL games must support 576i and probably can support 480i.
NTSC games must support 480i and can support 576i

A NTSC PS3 does not support 576i output.
A PAL PS3 however supports 480i. It can't be enforced. It's automatically selected if the game doesn't support 576i.

So you're in trouble if you have a 576i-only game and want to run it on a NTSC PS3 in SD. It just doesn't work.
There's an easy way out if you have a HDTV: Run it in 720p or above and it works.

All PS3 games are without regional lockout.

 

[01GTP]

I have an HDTV and I don't know that I would call it a difference but with GT5 Prologue's online races, unless it was a World event, PAL can only race PAL and NTSC can only race NTSC, no matter where you live.

So if I wanted to race my friends oversees and they use PAL and I use NTSC I cannot race them, unless it is a World event.
If I had an PAL disc, no problem racing them.

Some times the different disc's have different cars also.


But drivatar explained it correctly as it reflects on your SDTV.