Definition: SECAM is a video system that was originally developed in France. SECAM, while superior to NTSC, is not necessarily superior to PAL (in fact many countries that have adopted SECAM are either converting to PAL or have dual-system broadcasting in both PAL and SECAM).
Like PAL, it is a 625 line, 50 field/25 frame per second interlaced system, but the color component is implemented differently than either PAL or NTSC. In fact, SECAM stands for (in English) Sequential Color With Memory. In the video profession, it has been dubbed "Something Contrary To American Methods", due to its different color management system.
Countries on the SECAM system include France, Russia, Eastern Europe, and some parts of the Middle East. For more info on other countries, check out a complete listing.
Also Known As: Sequential Colour A'Memoire (French), Sequential Color Memory (English), "Something Contrary to American Methods"
