Content - PAL Playback Issues

Summary

If you are experiencing difficulties with playing Swank PAL content, we recommend going through the following troubleshooting steps carefully to help resolve the issue. These steps are designed to identify and fix common problems that may be causing playback interruptions or errors when working with PAL format videos. Please keep in mind that PAL and NTSC are different analog TV standards with distinct frame rates and line counts, making them incompatible. PAL uses 25 fps and 625 lines, while NTSC uses 30 fps and 525 lines. 

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Check Display Compatibility:

• Some displays (especially older or region-specific ones) may not support PAL signals properly.
• Look for any settings on the display for “Auto”, “PAL”, or “NTSC” mode. 

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Display Settings

1. Adjust Aspect Ratio:
   • PAL content is often 4:3 or 16:9. Ensure the display is not stretching or cropping the image.
   • Try toggling between aspect ratio settings like “Auto”, “Original”, “Full”, or “Zoom”.
2. Centering Options:
   • Look for horizontal/vertical positioning settings in the display’s menu.
   • Some displays allow manual adjustment of image position.
3. Overscan Settings:
   • Disable overscan if available. Overscan can cause the image to be zoomed and misaligned. 

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Connection & Signal Path

1. Check Cable Type:
   • Use cables (HDMI, SCART, Component) that support PAL signals.
   • Avoid composite if possible—it’s more prone to signal degradation.
2. Try a Different Input Port:
   • Some ports may handle PAL signals better than others.
3. Use a Signal Converter:
   • If the display is NTSC-only, a PAL-to-NTSC converter may be needed.
   • Ensure the converter preserves aspect ratio and centering. 

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Test with Alternate Devices

1. Try a Different Display:
   • Connect the PAL source to another monitor or TV to isolate whether the issue is with the display or the source.
2. Try a Different Source:
   • Use another PAL device or media player to see if the issue persists.
   • Use a Media Player with Scaling Options:
   • Check for Region Settings:
     • Some players have region settings that affect PAL/NTSC playback. 

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Advanced Options

1. Firmware Update:
   • Check if the display has a firmware update that improves PAL compatibility.