NTSC, PAL or Universal?

Firstly sorry if this is in under the wrong topic although I am a FCP user.
Im currently in the US and want to buy a Canon HV20 HD Mini DV camcorder. US camcorders are NTSC but I am from the UK where it is PAL.
I have been told High Def video is universal and not NTSC or PAL.
Is this true? Can anyone shed some light on this topic for me?
I understand I can convert in FCP but really didnt want to do this, is High Def the same spec any where in the world?
Thank you.

Unfortunately, your assumption that HD video is universally the same across the globe is incorrect - I wish it wasn't. There is a wide variety of resolutions, codecs and frame rates on the market, and only few camcorders give you the option of shooting at frame rates compatible with either a base of 25 fps (PAL-territory) or 30 fps (NTSC-territory).
The following links should give you a better idea of what's going on:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-definition_video
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-definition_television
HTH,
Ron

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HDV NTSC/PAL machine with HDMI output ???????????? To hire????

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NO the material is in NTSC and that is what i want to keep it in for NTSC DVD release....Its just that the camera i have is PAL....
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Hi mish,
that is such a .. <searching correct english word> hillarious (?) idea, I give you a star for that ;-)))
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http://www.xs4all.nl/~jeschot/home.html
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G'day,
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NTSC/PAL Question

If I record a HD movie with a PAL HD camcorder, can I play it on a NTSC HDTV via HDMI cable ?

http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=7480479#7480479

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What version of Toast? When I try to do this it asks first.

HDV NTSC & PAL to SD DVD

PLEASE HELP!!
I've got two different projects that need to be combined into one dvd for the client.
problem is the first project was shot and edited as HDV 1080/60i and the second at
1080/50i, so i have an NTSC sequence and a PAL sequence.
the DVD needs to be in PAL.
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can't figure out what's the fastest, highest quality workflow.
thus far using compressor and dvd studio pro 4 to build the DVD using just the PAL sequence i've gotten nothing but interlaced awful looking video.
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is JES deinterlacer the best way to convert the NTSC HDV to PAL HDV (or 1080/60i to 1080/50i)?
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Hi,
So I am hoping to import some footage and edit it in FCE from mini dv tapes but they were bought and recorded on with cameras in Canada. They are HDV. I have a Pal Sony Handycam HDR-HC1E which is HDV too. When I try to watch the tapes in the camera there is just a blue screen except for when I fast forward or rewind at which point the image plays.
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Hi
Yes
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And step 2 - connecting an A/D-box - Didn't help either/any settings.
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AND When You got it into Your Mac
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NTSC, PAL or Universal?

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