This chart shows the Video Standard used in each country. It tells you what format tape you need for each country. It does not give all the variations of each standard used by the broadcasters that you would need to know in order to select TV/Video equipment.
The Small Print
The chart is based on the best information we have available.
Some countries are changing their broadcast systems so please check with the national broadcasters of the country concerned for a definitive statement.
We can take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.
Should you find any errors please contact us via the Contact tab above.
| Country | Video Standard |
Abu Dhabi |
PAL |
Afghanistan |
PAL |
Alaska |
NTSC |
Albania |
SECAM |
Algeria |
PAL |
Andorra |
PAL |
Antigua |
NTSC |
Antilles |
NTSC |
Argentina |
PAL-N |
Australia |
PAL |
Austria |
PAL |
Azores |
PAL |
Bahamas |
PAL |
Bahrain |
PAL |
Bangladesh |
PAL |
Barbados |
NTSC |
Belgium |
PAL |
Bermuda |
NTSC |
Bolivia |
NTSC |
Botswana |
PAL |
Brazil |
PAL-M |
Brunei |
PAL |
Bulgaria |
SECAM |
Burma |
NTSC |
Canada |
NTSC |
Canary Islands |
PAL |
Cayman Islands |
NTSC |
Chile |
NTSC |
China |
PAL |
Columbia |
NTSC |
Congo |
SECAM |
Costa Rica |
NTSC |
Cuba |
NTSC |
Curacao |
NTSC |
Cyprus |
PAL/SECAM |
Czech Republic |
SECAM |
Denmark |
PAL |
Diego Garcia |
NTSC |
Djibouti |
SECAM |
Dominican Rep. |
SECAM |
Dubai |
PAL |
Egypt |
MESECAM |
El Salvador |
NTSC |
Ecuador |
NTSC |
Finland |
PAL |
Former Yugoslavia |
PAL |
France |
SECAM |
Gabon |
SECAM |
Germany |
PAL(West)/MESECAM |
Ghana |
PAL |
Gibraltar |
PAL |
Greece |
MESECAM |
Greenland |
NTSC |
Guadeloupe |
SECAM |
Guam |
NTSC |
Guatemala |
NTSC |
Guyana |
SECAM |
Haiti |
SECAM |
Hawaii |
NTSC |
Hong Kong |
PAL |
Hungary |
PAL |
Iceland |
PAL |
India |
PAL |
Indonesia |
PAL |
Iran |
SECAM |
Iraq |
SECAM |
Ireland |
PAL |
Israel |
PAL |
Italy |
PAL |
Ivory Coast |
SECAM |
Jamaica |
NTSC |
Japan |
NTSC |
Jordan |
PAL |
Kenya |
PAL |
Korea (S) |
NTSC |
Korea (N) |
PAL/NTSC |
Kuwait |
PAL |
Lebanon |
SECAM |
Liberia |
PAL |
Libya |
PAL |
Luxembourg |
PAL/SECAM |
Madagascar |
PAL |
Madeira |
PAL |
Malaysia |
PAL |
Maldives |
PAL |
Malta |
PAL |
Martinique |
SECAM |
Mauritius |
SECAM |
Mexico |
NTSC |
Monaco |
SECAM/PAL |
Mongolia |
SECAM |
Morocco |
SECAM |
Mozambique |
PAL |
Namibia |
PAL |
Netherlands |
PAL |
New Caledonia |
SECAM |
New Zealand |
PAL |
Nicaragua |
NTSC |
Nigeria |
PAL |
Norway |
PAL |
Okinawa |
NTSC |
Oman |
PAL |
Pakistan |
PAL |
Panama |
NTSC |
Paraguay |
PAL-N |
Peru |
NTSC |
Philippines |
NTSC |
Poland |
SECAM |
Portugal |
PAL |
Puerto Rico |
NTSC |
Reunion |
SECAM |
Rumania |
SECAM |
Russian Republic |
MESECAM |
Sabah |
PAL |
Samoa |
NTSC |
Saudi Arabia |
MESECAM |
Senegal |
SECAM |
Seychelles |
PAL |
Sierra Leone |
PAL |
Singapore |
PAL |
South Africa |
PAL |
Spain |
PAL |
Sri Lanka |
PAL |
St Kitts |
NTSC |
Sudan |
PAL |
Surinam |
NTSC |
Swaziland |
PAL |
Sweden |
PAL |
Switzerland |
PAL |
Syria |
SECAM |
Tahiti |
SECAM |
Taiwan |
NTSC |
Tanzania |
PAL |
Thailand |
PAL |
Togo |
SECAM |
Trinidad |
NTSC |
Trust Isle |
NTSC |
Tunisia |
SECAM |
Turkey |
PAL |
Uganda |
PAL |
United Arab Emirates |
PAL |
United Kingdom |
PAL |
United States |
NTSC |
Uruguay |
PAL-N |
Venezuela |
NTSC |
Virgin Islands |
NTSC |
Yemen |
PAL |
Zaire |
SECAM |
Zambia |
PAL |
Zimbabwe |
PAL |