NTSC <> PAL DVD

[GeorgeW]

Hi Everyone,

Looking for some feedback on the following conversion process.

Many times we see folks asking how to convert their DVD's from NTSC-to-PAL or PAL-to-NTSC.

Here's a method I tried on a short DVD, but I am in NTSC land, and cannot really test playback on a PAL system. From what I have seen, the resulting DVD appears to be good on my computer screen, but I don't know for sure what the resulting quality will be when viewed on a TV, or whether longer DVD durations will start to exhibit out-of-sync video/audio in a DVD Player.

Here's the process if you care to try:

My source is starting from miniDV (NTSC DV .avi).

1) after finishing all my editing, I create a new DV .avi that has all the edits. Then startup a clean project and immediately go to the SHARE/Create Disc procedure. Add my chapters and menus, adjust bitrates if needed, and burn the NTSC DVD Folders.

2) After creating my NTSC DVD, still within the same project, I go to Preferences (F6), and change the TV System from NTSC to PAL/SECAM. Modify the encoding bitrates if needed, and output the new DVD to a different folder. That's it, all the menus and chapters should still be in place.

If you do try this method, please post your results. I am interested whether this process will work for longer DVD's (i.e. the picture quality is good, the audio/video stay in sync, and the menus/chapter points work for the entire DVD.

Regards,
George

[lancecarr]

Hi George, I have tried that and MANY other methods.
What I have found is that doing the conversion using VS produces the best results when you convert at the DV avi stage, NOT the MPEG2 stage. The compression of the DV avi to MPEG2 PLUS then conversion of the Frames per second rate cause the jittery motion you WILL get anyway to be accentuated.
So, capture to your native DV avi properties (PAL or NTSC), do all your editing etc until your are ready to render. Instead of rendering to MPEG, render to the native DV avi so you now have a DV avi file of your complete production. Use the Batch converyt function to convert the DV avi to your other TV system (DV avi) THEN use that file to create an MPEGs for DVD burning.
It's all here:
http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=11847

There simply is almost no need to convert NTSC to PAL as most PAL DVD players can handle NTSC these days. It is the conversion of PAL to NTSC that is still needed sometimes.

If you want to go outside VS to convert then my strong recommendation is "PureMotion DV converter." It costs about $150.00 and ONLY converts at the DV avi stage but produces perfect conversions with absolutely no jumpyness in the motion or pannning shots, true colors, no combing, macroblocking or ghosting. The only downside being the hole in your budget!

[GeorgeW]

Thanks for your feedback. I am aware of the conversion tutorial, but this procedure is different in that the Authoring only needs to be done once (i.e. adding/designing your menus and chapters etc...).

The only thing you need to do is change the TV Format.

I understand it might not be the best "standards"conversion possible, but it might be the easiest and fastest approach for something that does not need to be "perfect" -- like a quick highlight video of an overseas trip that you want to give to your guests while they are going back home. I find that family videos don't always have to be "picture perfect" -- the audience cares more about what's going on in the video and seeing the faces/smiles that they could care less that a transition is a little "blocky" due to the mpeg conversion settings...

I was wondering if folks had done/tried this, or even knew they could just change the TV Standard in preferences, and output the DVD in the new format (I am also curious if longer DVD's kept the chapter marks where they should be, and the audio-video remained in sync).

"mission-critical" standards conversions is different story. I use other tools when that is needed...

Regards,
George