PALplus
A widescreen encoding system compatible with existing 4:3 PAL receivers as well as new 16:9 PALplus receivers.
Project partners are:
Broadcasters: ARD, ZDF, IRT, ORF, SRG, BBC and UKIB
Manufacturers: Grundig, Nokia, Philips and Thomson
PALplus uses the normal 625/50 line/field structure as well as PAL colour coding so that 'normal' 4:3 receivers can show the 16:9 wide aspect colour picture in letterbox format spread over 432 TV lines (instead of the normal 576). The 16:9 PALplus receivers display the full 576 lines with the additional high frequency detail added to the pictures from the Helper signal transmitted above and below the central band of 432 lines. The Helper appears as black on normal receivers. The system relies on digital processing in the encoder and in each widescreen PALplus receiver.
One of the aims of the system is to give a soft start to new TV formats and resolutions. In the studio the normal ITU-R 601 signal with 13.5 MHz sampling is recommended so allowing much existing production equipment, including component digital VTRs, to be used with no change - the shape of the picture has changed but the nature of the signal has not. Clearly mixers, character generators, DVEs and graphics systems need to take account of the geometry change but the core electronics - including framestores - are unaffected. The biggest alterations come with picture monitors and cameras - where existing units can be used with anamorphic lenses or wide (16:9) CCD chips.
With the advent of DTV the longterm future of PALplus must be in doubt.
Of in simpele taal:
PAL = 432 beeldlijnen (staat compleet los van breedbeeld)
PALPLUS = 576 beeldlijnen + help signaal voor betere kwaliteit
Tuurtje
