Yet Another Question--Universal Videotapes

[Cartoon King]

I recently purchased a video from ebay. The description states that the video is from England and is a (U) universal video. I have heard of VHS and PAL format, but what is U and will it play on American vcrs at all. The video features about 2 1/2 hours of Tom and Jerry cartoons including Saturday Evening Puss and others.

Does anyone here have a vcr that could play this?

[Brian Cruz]

I believe the "U" is just the content rating, like G and PG in the US. It doesn't refer to whether it will play on VCRs that use different video standards. The UK uses PAL video, the US uses NTSC video, and the only way to get a UK tape to play on a US VCR is to either get it converted, or to buy a multi-standard VCR.

[Thad Komorowski]

Well, let's hope Mike didn't buy a PAL video if he doesn't have a PAL player. My copy of SONG OF THE SOUTH (an NTSC) has the same U thing on it, I wondered about that myself.


-Thad

[Cineman]

Hiya Gang,
I know it's a bit late but here's the gen on the whole Universal/PAL thing.
PAL is the way television & video is encoded here in the UK & Europe, in the US it is NTSC. I need an NTSC compatible video player to play American tapes and you'll need a PAL compatible to play any from over here. It's like the regions on DVD.
Universal is part of the BBFC's film classification system:
U - Universal, suitable for all
PG - Parental Guidance, some scenes unsuitable for children
12, 15 & 18 Minimum age for viewing.
You may come across the new Uc which is a video only classification meaning particulalry suitable for children, so any new tapes from over here are likely to have that.