Time duration problems

[teocuitlatl]

I recently made a DVD NTSC movie with VS8 of some track events. The original files were mpegs so I know exactly how long they are. I applied the plug-in Timecode (as suggested recently in this forum) to each event and it appears in each event and counts upward correctly. The problem is that, for example, a 200 meter run that I know is about 24 secs. comes in at about 20 second in my finished movie.

Am I overlooking something obvious? How can I ensure that the dvd movie time will match the correct original mpeg time for each event?
We're not exactly setting world records here...

Thanks.

[bop]

The only obvious thing is are the frame rates the same

Brian

[teocuitlatl]

Many thanks. The Sony DSC-F717 I use puts out mpegs at 25 fps. I had deliberately set Timecode on 29.97 to match the NTSC standard. So, it sounds like I need to set Timecode to 25 fps. I will test it and if it does not work, I 'll let you know. But it should work. Doh!

Now for another DOH!. For some reason, my projects in VS8 always seem to default or go to or simply be in PAL. At the Share stage, I have to set the project preferences to NTSC and then I can burn a DVD in that format. Is this normal? Any way to be in NTSC all the time? Am I wasting processing time going from PAL to NTSC or is this all a false issue.

I look forward to the next answer saving me a lot of time and frustration again.

Many thanks.

[heinz-oz]

Does your Sony record in NTSC or PAL? What did you set up your system to (in preferences) NTSC or PAL?

The fact that you always have to select to go to NTSC indicates to me that one or both of the above may be set to PAL.

[teocuitlatl]

Currently the camera is outputting NTSC. The preferences are set to NTSC.

I think I just need to start with a clean slate on my next project--going in, I need to make sure that prefrences are still set to NTSC. Hopefully, this will resolve the issue.

If there is another possible problem, let me know.

The learning curve on this stuff is near vertical, so I am glad I can get some help climbing the wall. The results are good and getting better.

[heinz-oz]

You said previously that the cam gave you mpegs at 25 fps, that's not NTSC. NTSC, as you rightly observed yourself, is 29.97 fps. It may be that you have to have a good look at the cam settings. Did you get the mpeg off the camera as mpeg? Sorry I ask silly questions, I don't know your camera.