Moth3r:
I don't know for sure, but I suspect that CRT TVs sold in PAL countries have shadow masks/phosphors optimized for ~576 scanlines.

I have to say I doubt this. I don't think a CRT could ever be "calibrated" in that way since the tube is affected by the Earth's magnetic field. If it was in any way "optimized" everyone would get a sub-optimal picture when they got the set home (especially me - my room is near a small electricty substation and my picture is sheared by a few degrees).

I've quite often seen complaints levelled at NTSC - from PAL owners - about scanlines appearing too widely spaced. But I'm prepared to be proven wrong on this one.

That's just because there are less lines of electrons being fired, not because PAL TVs have too many lines of phosphor dots.

Boris:
and it's perfectly acceptable to use [apostrophes] when making plural abbreviations

I was thinking more of:

Both DVD's contain the same detail

American's hate PAL.

American's and other NTSC-people, but mostly American's still think their system is better.

Half the DVD's I own are NTSC, and a few DVD's that are officially released