It used to p*** me off in the 80's that in Saudi Arabia (and no doubt many other places in the world), you could purchase multi standard TVs which would work happily anywhere and multi standard video recorders to play tapes through them. But in the U.K. it is PAL ONLY because we only transmit on one standard don't we. (er - the Saudi's only transmitted in SECAM of course - but that didn't stop multi standard TV's being available.)
These days I thouroughly enjoy recording a T.V. programme on my satellite Sky+ box and whizzing through the adverts at x12 or x30 if I'm brave. I also understand that a similar unit in the U.S.A. also possesses buttons which jump 30 seconds or a minute of recorded material - just the job for skipping the adverts - why can't we have the same over here? - Yes I know - it will be available next year on a new box at an extra cost of £10 per month!
P.P.