NTSC vs PAL
NTSC vs PAL — Video Standard Differences
Region locking decides whether a disc boots; the video standard decides whether it displays correctly. These are separate concerns, and clearing one does not automatically clear the other.
The two standards
NTSC, used in North America and Japan, runs at roughly 60Hz with a lower vertical resolution. PAL, used across Europe and Australia, runs at 50Hz with a higher vertical resolution. The PS1 outputs whichever standard matches the disc and console, and your television has to understand that signal.
What goes wrong on a mismatch
- An NTSC game shown on a strictly 50Hz-only display may roll vertically or lose color.
- A PAL game shown on an NTSC-only display can scroll or fail to sync.
- Even when a mismatched picture appears, it may sit with black borders or run at an altered speed.
Speed and framing
Many older games were ported between regions without full optimization. PAL versions sometimes run slightly slower and appear letterboxed compared to their 60Hz NTSC counterparts, a well-known quirk of the era.
The practical takeaway: a modchip or ODE that unlocks region locking still leaves the video standard to manage. The most reliable setups pair imports with a display that accepts both 50Hz and 60Hz signals, such as many multi-standard CRTs or capable upscalers. Confirm your television's supported standards before assuming an import will look right.