Can't change a project from NTSC to PAL

spurrymoses · Post by **spurrymoses** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 1:34 am

I have a project in which I set the output to NTSC - so I could create a DVD for someone in Japan.

Now, I want to set it to PAL. I've created a PAL version of the video file, added it to the project, made sure all the menus are intact, but the Project Propertes dialog (frustratingly) doesn't let me change the Project settings to use PAL.

Upon opening Project Settings there is a list of Disc templates - the problem is, this list refuses to show any Disc Templates other than those classified as NTSC.

If I click the little round (meaningless) icon, I can change the "TV system" to PAL and choose a different template. But there's no way to "Apply" this, so whenever I press 'Close' I'm back to the list of Disc Templates that are only NTSC. And I therefore cannot choose any from the list of PAL TV system Disc Templates.

Do I really have to create a new project to switch between PAL and NTSC - anyone else done this before?

Devil · Post by **Devil** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 1:02 pm

One system=one project. The reason is logical. Anything involving timing is converted to the number of frames from the beginning. For example, if you have a chapter starting at 00:37:22:26 in NTSC, this would be recorded as frame # 67,219 so, in PAL, the chapter would start at 00:44:48:19, which I don't think would make you very happy. For this reason, as WS2 does not incorporate conversion algorithms, the authors have wisely stopped you from doing it.

spurrymoses · Post by **spurrymoses** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 1:28 pm

You're right. The reason for isolating them is logical but the implementation could be less straight-jacketish maybe?
If it had just let me change it to PAL, I was prepared to readjust the chapter points and anything else. At least they would be close enough to work on - rather than having to start from scratch by creating a new project.

Is there a good reason why it couldn't, in the future, just let you change it with a warning about the dire consquences?

spurrymoses · Post by **spurrymoses** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 3:03 am

Actually, if anyone from Ulead is reading, really the UI should disable the PAL option in the UI if it is not possible. Having it enabled but not allowing it at the same time is bound to be confusing and frustrating.

Devil · Post by **Devil** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 10:01 am

There is another possible reason that must be considered. Converting systems with an MPEG encoder is not a good idea. I have always, when converting, done it at the DV1 AVI level and encoded PAL>PAL and NTSC>NTSC. Encoding PAL>NTSC or vice versa creates artefacts. Converting AVIs is MUCH better.

spurrymoses · Post by **spurrymoses** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 3:12 pm

Yep, although however many reasons there are to avoid the mishmashing of PAL/NTSC projects, if the software just let me do it, and let me fix the resulting mash - it would still be a lot easier than starting a new project from scratch.

The inconsistency in the software is that after I've created my project, I can change the video source from something that's encoded in NTSC to something in PAL. I can then change the chapter points from the resulting timing changes. And then, just as I'm about to finish... I *can't* change the project settings from NTSC to PAL. To do that, I have to create a new project and start everything from scratch This is where I got unstuck!

At this point, if it just let me change the PAL setting there would be no problems, no conversions and no issues. The only issue at this point, is that the software has tied me up!

So all I want really, is for DVDWS to simply 'assume' I've made all the necessary changes and that I know the consquences (ie what I'm doing) and let me make the simple change in Project Settings from NTSC to PAL.

I think this would be much better. Whether it be with a warning 'Message Box' about timing issues if you change NTSC and PAL, or whatever.

Devil · Post by **Devil** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 8:11 am

What you are saying is that you prefer software to allow you to do anything, with no idiot-proofing.

spurrymoses · Post by **spurrymoses** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 7:51 am

Devil wrote:What you are saying is that you prefer software to allow you to do anything, with no idiot-proofing.

I think what I'm saying is a little more refined than that

This particular situation should probably be catered for. Idiot-proofing should not necessarily stop the non-idiots from doing what they need to.
Although whether I am an idiot or not remains to be seen... (either answer is accepted

)

It just needs a warning message about the consequences if a user changes the project settings between PAL/NTSC. I think that would do it nicely.