Tobar said:

Yeah you get a slightly higher resolution while sacrificing the presentation of the film. I've compared the two before and found the speed up unbearable.

Hmm--- I agree---having said that PAL users here in Europe have become so used to the slightly faster speed that it's barely noticable unless as you say---you do a side by side comparison.

PAL VHS players that could be compatible with NTSC started to become prominent towards the end of the 90's----I have one myself----I also have a NTSC 1982/83 VHS 1st release of SW(snapped up on ebay) aswell as the PAL equivalent.

And hands down---it's no contest---PAL all the way for me mate!