NTSC-uk
Encyclopedia
NTSC-uk was a video game website created in 2001, based in the United Kingdom
, the site comprised reviews, traditional previews and niche features. Whilst its primary remit covered import gaming, the site's coverage has since expanded to include all facets of modern gaming. It can now be found at http://www.bordersdown.netBordersdown
]
Since its inception, as well as providing a forum, it has reviewed videogames from around the world on all formats, covering both PAL
and NTSC
releases.
Its mission was to spread the word about the slow release dates and (mostly) unoptimised PAL games Europe
was subjected to. Unoptimised games run at 50fps instead of 60fps with no clock adjusment so therefore run ~17% slower than intended by the developers. Additionally the original 480p signal leaves large black borders at the top and bottom of the PAL screens which run at a higher resolution.
With the advent of HD standards and the increase in global release dates, this mission was largely complete. However they continue to review and discuss games from Japan many of which will almost certainly never be released elsewhere.
Since April 2011 the website has been moved to a new temporary domain at www.ntsc-uk.co.uk. The www.ntsc-uk.com domain points to a webpage with the following message "ntsc-uk.com domain for sale contact neil at domino.org".
On 12th October, 2011, the website changed to www.bordersdown.net.
NTSC-uk were awarded the accolade of Website of the Month, with the article stating
"Import gaming may be an acquired taste but it's essential for the purity of the latest Japanese releases. NTSC-uk is a group of dedicated gamers offering advice on how to acquire both past and present ntsc classics. With a clean presentation and a passionate writing style, the site also indulges in reviews, previews and features. Let them make turgid letter-boxed games a thing of the past in your home."
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the site comprised reviews, traditional previews and niche features. Whilst its primary remit covered import gaming, the site's coverage has since expanded to include all facets of modern gaming. It can now be found at http://www.bordersdown.netBordersdown
Bordersdown
Bordersdown, previously known as NTSC-uk, is a video game website created in 2001, based in the United Kingdom, providing reviews, traditional previews and niche features. Whilst its primary remit covered import gaming, the site's coverage has since expanded to include all facets of modern gaming...
]
History
NTSC-uk was set up when Wireplay was nearing its original end, so that people could jump ship from the Wireplay forums.Since its inception, as well as providing a forum, it has reviewed videogames from around the world on all formats, covering both PAL
PAL
PAL, short for Phase Alternating Line, is an analogue television colour encoding system used in broadcast television systems in many countries. Other common analogue television systems are NTSC and SECAM. This page primarily discusses the PAL colour encoding system...
and NTSC
NTSC
NTSC, named for the National Television System Committee, is the analog television system that is used in most of North America, most of South America , Burma, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and some Pacific island nations and territories .Most countries using the NTSC standard, as...
releases.
Its mission was to spread the word about the slow release dates and (mostly) unoptimised PAL games Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
was subjected to. Unoptimised games run at 50fps instead of 60fps with no clock adjusment so therefore run ~17% slower than intended by the developers. Additionally the original 480p signal leaves large black borders at the top and bottom of the PAL screens which run at a higher resolution.
With the advent of HD standards and the increase in global release dates, this mission was largely complete. However they continue to review and discuss games from Japan many of which will almost certainly never be released elsewhere.
Since April 2011 the website has been moved to a new temporary domain at www.ntsc-uk.co.uk. The www.ntsc-uk.com domain points to a webpage with the following message "ntsc-uk.com domain for sale contact neil at domino.org".
On 12th October, 2011, the website changed to www.bordersdown.net.
Edge Website of the Month
In Issue 101 of Edge magazineEdge (magazine)
Edge is a multi-format computer and video game magazine published by Future Publishing in the United Kingdom. It is known for its industry contacts, editorial stance, distinctive anonymous third-person writing style, yearly awards and longevity....
NTSC-uk were awarded the accolade of Website of the Month, with the article stating
"Import gaming may be an acquired taste but it's essential for the purity of the latest Japanese releases. NTSC-uk is a group of dedicated gamers offering advice on how to acquire both past and present ntsc classics. With a clean presentation and a passionate writing style, the site also indulges in reviews, previews and features. Let them make turgid letter-boxed games a thing of the past in your home."