What does PAL mean? How do I know which video standard my country uses?

What does PAL mean? Why do some countries have different video systems?

PAL is the type of video system used in many countries outside of the U.S. In order for you to watch a video your VCR must send an electronic signal to your television. This signal is based upon the AC (alternating current) power frequency in the country where you are viewing the tape. Here in America our power frequency is 60Hz. However, in many other countries the AC frequency is 50Hz. Therefore, we have different television standards around the world.

America's television standard was developed under the guidance of the National Television Standards Committee, thus it is called NTSC. In most of Europe, Asia and Africa the power frequency is 50Hz so they developed 2 television standards which better suit the needs of these countries. One of the 50Hz Standards is PAL (Phase Alternating Lines) and the other is SECAM (SEquential Color Avec Memoire). While PAL is used in most of Europe and former territories of the British Empire SECAM is primarily used in France, Eastern Block and Middle Eastern Countries.

How do I know which video standard my country uses? What formats do you provide?

Refer to the chart below to see what video standards each country uses.
here