Multi System TV • Multisystem Televisions • PAL • NTSC • Secam

Multisystem TV Quick Buying Guide

Although most multisystem tv's are very similar in the basics, there are many technologies and features to choose from. We will try and touch on all the basics here.

For more detailed information on our Multi-System TV's, see our full Multi-System TV Buying Guide.

PAL | NTSC | SECAM World Color Systems

PAL is short for Phase Alternating Line. This is a color encoding system for analog television used in broadcast television systems in most countries broadcasting at 576i. NTSC, named for the National Television System Committee, is the analog television system used in most of North America, parts of South America Myanmar, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines. SECAM short for Sequential Color with Memory, is a color TV standard that was introduced in the early 1960's in France.

110v-240v Global Voltage

Works with world wide electricity 100-240 volts volts 50/60 hz. Can be used with electricity in North America or any other place in the world.
ALL of our Multisystem TV's operate on ALL Global voltages, including 110, 120 Volts and 220, 230, 240 Volts.

The Panel Technology... LCD, LED or Plasma?

LCD Flat Panel Technology

A liquid crystal display (LCD) is a flat panel display that uses the light modulating properties of liquid crystals. LCDs are used in applications including computer monitors and televisions. The LCD panel is Usually lit by two cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL) placed at opposite edges of the display.

LED Flat Panel Technology

An "LED" display is a flat panel display which uses smaller, more efficient LED backlighting instead of the cold cathode fluorescent (CCFL) backlighting used by most other LCD panels. This allows LED panels to be much thinner and lighter than normal LCD screens. Most people don't know that and "LED" TV is simply an LCD TV with LED Backlighting.

Plasma Flat Panel Technology

Unlike LCD or LED/LCD, plasma panels do NOT use backlighting. Instead, each pixel on the panel is made up of 3 tiny tubes (red, blu and green) containing plasma gas, similar to fluorescent lights. Although they are much heavier and less efficient than LCD or LED, many videophiles still feel plasma panels to deliver the best picture.

Keep in mind, these are just the basic differences between the 3 most popular panel technologies. Panel quality has a lot to do with picture quality. Brand like Samsung and LG have been known for their high quality flat panels for many years.

The Resolution... 720p or 1920 x 1080p?

Full HD 1920x1080 Resolution

1920x1080p resolution is an HDTV high-definition video mode characterized by 1080 horizontal lines of vertical resolution. As of 2012, most consumer televisions being sold provide 1080p inputs mainly with HDMI and support full high-def resolutions. 1080p resolution is available in all types of televisions, including plasma, LCD and LED.

High Definition 720p Resolution

720p is a progressive HDTV resolution signal format with 720 horizontal lines. All major HDTV broadcasting standards include a 720p format which has a resolution of 1280×720. The number 720 stands for the 720 horizontal scan lines of image display resolution (also known as 720 pixels of vertical resolution), while the letter p stands for progressive scan.

The Convenience Features... What do they all do?

Smart TV

A smart TV, also known as a connected TV or hybrid TV, describes the combining of the Internet and Web 2.0 features into television sets, as well as the integration between computers and these television sets. These devices focus on online interactive media, Internet TV, over-the-top content, as well as on-demand streaming media, and less focus on traditional broadcast media than traditional television sets.

Web Browser

A web browser is be defined as a software application software or program designed to allow users to access, retrieve and view documents and other resources on the Internet. Web browsers are primarily intended to use the World Wide Web, but they can also access information provided by web servers in private networks or files in file systems.

WiFi Built In

WiFi built-in means that the hardware needed is already built into the device. WiFi Built-in tv's already have the WiFi card/adapter inside. It is ready to connect to Wi-Fi networks straight out of the box. If you have a WiFi network, just plug in the TV, set it up and you have internet access.

WiFi Ready

WiFi ready means that the device is able to use WiFi but requires an adapter. WiFi adapters are fairly inexpensive and usually plug into the USB port. WiFi Ready TV's will always have a standard LAN port to utilize internet features without using WiFi.

USB Input

USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. A USB port is a cable connection interface used on personal computers and consumer electronics. USB ports allow stand-alone electronic devices to be connected via cables to a computer or to each other.

Memory Card Reader

A memory card reader is a device usually having a USB interface. This allows it to access the data on a memory card such as a Compact Flash (CF), Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia Card (MMC). There are three categories of memory card readers sorted by the type and quantity of the card slots: single card reader, multi card reader and series card reader.

For more detailed information on our Multi-System TV's, see our full Multi-System TV Buying Guide.