Analog (SECAM) transmission ceases in France
Dec 5, 2011 11:20 AM, By Michael Grotticelli
Many European countries chose the analog PAL standard mainly for economic (international competition) reasons, while SECAM was often a more political decision. (Click image to enlarge.)
The world is one step closer to all-digital over-the-air broadcasting. On Nov. 29, 2011, terrestrial SECAM (or Sequential Color with Memory) broadcasts in France were shut down for the last time, ending a 44-year reign. The analog color TV format was the first standard used in France in 1967.
Many European countries chose the analog PAL (Phase Alternating Line) standard mainly for economic reasons, while SECAM was often a more political decision
In many countries, such as Germany and Norway, PAL broadcasts stopped in 2008, when stations there switched to a digital television system based on the Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) specifications.
“PAL and SECAM are color-encoding standards,” said Mark Schubin, a veteran broadcast engineer and industry historian. “That's why Brazil can use a 525/60 PAL signal and Portugal a 625/25 PAL. There are many PAL variations. The second NTSC was a color-encoding standard, but it was intended to use worldwide (thus the BBC tests); the first NTSC was 525/60. And there was a 625/50 version of NTSC used in Barbados.”
TV set manufacturers in a number of countries sold TV sets that were SECAM/PAL-compatible, minimizing disruptions to consumers living on the border.
“In Berlin, for example, one could watch West German PAL, East German SECAM, or U.S. Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) NTSC without moving an inch,” Schubin said, adding that here were even tri-standard sets on the market for some time.
Several French overseas territories as well as countries in the Middle East and Eastern Europe have already ceased or will soon end SECAM broadcasts as well.
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