Descending into upper field/lower field hell

Post by **lancecarr** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 2:16 pm

I have a Sony DCR DVD 201 camcorder that records directly to mini DVD on the camcorder. The camera records MPEG2 files that are NTSC "upper field first." After I have completed editing and it's time to create a video file I am confused as to whether I need to keep the "upper field first" property or convert to "lower field first" for playback on NTSC DVD/TV systems.
Additionally, I live in Taiwan and have to send copies of the DVD's to family and friends in Australia. Every time I render a video file I have to do it twice, once for NTSC DVD/TV systems and once for PAL DVD/TV systems. This introduces the whole "PAL upper field/lower field" question. I have read conflicting data regarding which system uses which field first.
Can anyone clarify this for me?
Lance

thecoalman · Post by **thecoalman** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 2:49 pm

Most if not all DV cams are lower field first, but yours isn't a DV cam.... If your positive it's upper field first, maintian that throughout whatever format your going to.

Here's a little more info... pay particular attention to the second post by vhelp. http://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopi ... highlight=

Post by **lancecarr** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 3:16 pm

Coalman, thanks for the info. I take it from that post that the field order is not an issue with regards to the final DVD playing on either a PAL or NTSC system. I am certain the MPEG2's are upper field first so I should output video files in both PAL and NTSC as "upper field first.

thecoalman · Post by **thecoalman** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 3:56 pm

Yes I believe so, I've read literally thousands of posts on that site and I've never seen anything like that mentioned there or anywhere else for that matter.

thecoalman · Post by **thecoalman** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 4:43 pm

BTW I forgot to mention, conveting NTSC to Pal correctly is not exactly the easiest process.... Most PAL players play both PAL and NTSC so you may just be better off not making the conversion at all..

Post by **lancecarr** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 1:09 am

Thanks, I think I'll send an NTSC DVD off to someone with a PAL player and see how it goes.