My wife recently returned from Singapore with a Sony DCR-HC26e MiniDV Handycam, which unfortunately is the Pal version of the camcorder. Does anyone have any experience using a Pal video source to creat NTSC videos?
Should my project properties match the Pal standard? Should I then convert the video or edit the video in the Pal standard? I would assume that the conversion would happen after editing when I create the final video file (mpeg2).
Any advice or suggestions would be welcome.
Using a Pal Camcorder to creat NTSC videos
Moderator: Ken Berry
You can do a search on the forum - there have been some PAL - NTSC related threads lately.
It's not really an option to return it - you might consider selling on Ebay and buying a replacement NTSC unit - but you probably don't really want to do that.
You can work with PAL video and output to NTSC.
The most straightforward workflow in your case might be to capture DV type 1 PAL avi onto your pc, use the avi clips in your VS project, and then create an NTSC mpeg2 file.
Since PAL video is 25 frames/sec and NTSC is just under 30, my understanding is that the video is "padded" when you convert PAL into NTSC. There have to be some image quality implications in this process.
I would suggest that you try capturing some test footage from the camcorder to PAL avi on your pc. Taking that clip, create two mpeg2 video files - the first, say, PAL at 8000kbps constant bitrate, and the second NTSC at the same bitrate.
You can then compare the results, viewing the files with a software media player on your pc - say MS Media Player, or maybe Media Player Classic.
If you're happy with the quality of the NTSC mpeg2 video, you might repeat the test with a few clips on the timeline and some transitions, and perhaps a filter or title or two . This might provide a better test of possible audio out of sync issues. I would suggest you try a scrolling title to highlight any jerkiness.
If it turns out that there are some issues with the resulting NTSC mpeg2 file from the second, "more complicated" test project, you can try one more option. Instead of creating an NTSC mpeg2 video file from the project, first create a PAL avi file from the project (in effect smart rendering it) and then render that file to NTSC mpeg2 video.
Furthermore, it also really depends on what you intend to do with your camcorder footage. I have no problems playing (non commercial) PAL DVD's in any of my set top DVD players - they all do a pretty good job of outputting to NTSC TV's. You could therefore make up a test PAL DVD using an RW disk, and try it out in your own player/s and those of friends and family.
For me, it's bad enough when my wife tries to buy me clothes - I'd hate it if she started buying gadgets too!
Good luck!
It's not really an option to return it - you might consider selling on Ebay and buying a replacement NTSC unit - but you probably don't really want to do that.
You can work with PAL video and output to NTSC.
The most straightforward workflow in your case might be to capture DV type 1 PAL avi onto your pc, use the avi clips in your VS project, and then create an NTSC mpeg2 file.
Since PAL video is 25 frames/sec and NTSC is just under 30, my understanding is that the video is "padded" when you convert PAL into NTSC. There have to be some image quality implications in this process.
I would suggest that you try capturing some test footage from the camcorder to PAL avi on your pc. Taking that clip, create two mpeg2 video files - the first, say, PAL at 8000kbps constant bitrate, and the second NTSC at the same bitrate.
You can then compare the results, viewing the files with a software media player on your pc - say MS Media Player, or maybe Media Player Classic.
If you're happy with the quality of the NTSC mpeg2 video, you might repeat the test with a few clips on the timeline and some transitions, and perhaps a filter or title or two . This might provide a better test of possible audio out of sync issues. I would suggest you try a scrolling title to highlight any jerkiness.
If it turns out that there are some issues with the resulting NTSC mpeg2 file from the second, "more complicated" test project, you can try one more option. Instead of creating an NTSC mpeg2 video file from the project, first create a PAL avi file from the project (in effect smart rendering it) and then render that file to NTSC mpeg2 video.
Furthermore, it also really depends on what you intend to do with your camcorder footage. I have no problems playing (non commercial) PAL DVD's in any of my set top DVD players - they all do a pretty good job of outputting to NTSC TV's. You could therefore make up a test PAL DVD using an RW disk, and try it out in your own player/s and those of friends and family.
For me, it's bad enough when my wife tries to buy me clothes - I'd hate it if she started buying gadgets too!
Good luck!
JVC GR-DV3000u Panasonic FZ8 VS 7SE Basic - X2
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dayler
Thanks 2Dogs for the great feedback. I did a search and found a great post about Pal/NTSC Conversions here: http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=11847
Reading your post and tutorial above makes the option of selling the camcorder on eBay very attractive. I'll try to run a test video through the entire process this week and then decide if I'm going to sell the camcorder or not.
Reading your post and tutorial above makes the option of selling the camcorder on eBay very attractive. I'll try to run a test video through the entire process this week and then decide if I'm going to sell the camcorder or not.
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maddrummer3301
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dayler
Well, I did try and call Sony. They told me to either call the reseller (in Singapore no less) or call Sony Style which equals Sony Sales. They in turn told me to go f myself, only in a much nicer way. I still may try and have my wife call them. Might be worth a try.
Thanks for the great suggestions.
Dayler
Thanks for the great suggestions.
Dayler
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heinz-oz
Well, that's what I would have expected to get from SONY for a request like yours.
The best (cheapest) option is still to do a test DVD in PAL and see if your player can play this. If not, you are out of luck.
As long as there is no movement, especially no fast movement, in your video, the conversion to NTSC may be acceptable. The problem is that the software has to duplicate frames to increase the frame rate from 25 fps (PAL) to 29.97 fps for NTSC. Duplicating any frame with movement in it will result in jerkyness.
If I were you, I would try to cut my losses and sell the darn thing on ebay befor it gets too old. If it is a current modell, it should sell for a good price still. Make sure you cover yourself for the, to be expected, shipping costs. There will be hardly any interest in that camera from the US.
The best (cheapest) option is still to do a test DVD in PAL and see if your player can play this. If not, you are out of luck.
As long as there is no movement, especially no fast movement, in your video, the conversion to NTSC may be acceptable. The problem is that the software has to duplicate frames to increase the frame rate from 25 fps (PAL) to 29.97 fps for NTSC. Duplicating any frame with movement in it will result in jerkyness.
If I were you, I would try to cut my losses and sell the darn thing on ebay befor it gets too old. If it is a current modell, it should sell for a good price still. Make sure you cover yourself for the, to be expected, shipping costs. There will be hardly any interest in that camera from the US.
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lancecarr
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Hi Dayler, I wrote the tuorial you referred to.
I am in a similar position in that I have a PAL cam and live in an NTSC country but must produce video for people in PAL countries.
As you would have gathered in the tutorial the frame rate conversion is the killer here. PAL to NTSC means VS has to find 4.97 extra frames from somewhere to pad the rate. It only actually has 1/2 frames available because the footage is interlaced.
The results vary depending largely on the footage itself. Relatively static shots are fine but anything panning, has high motion or both will have jerkyness to it.
There are a number of products available at the comsumer level ranging from $30 to $400 that specialise in the conversion. I found them all to range from rather ordinary in their results to downright useless except for DV Motion Converter. That's the one I use and it gives perfect results. Costs about $140 U.S.
I think you would have to work out the economics of the whole deal yourself...what you saved in Singapore you lose on the software.
I am in a similar position in that I have a PAL cam and live in an NTSC country but must produce video for people in PAL countries.
As you would have gathered in the tutorial the frame rate conversion is the killer here. PAL to NTSC means VS has to find 4.97 extra frames from somewhere to pad the rate. It only actually has 1/2 frames available because the footage is interlaced.
The results vary depending largely on the footage itself. Relatively static shots are fine but anything panning, has high motion or both will have jerkyness to it.
There are a number of products available at the comsumer level ranging from $30 to $400 that specialise in the conversion. I found them all to range from rather ordinary in their results to downright useless except for DV Motion Converter. That's the one I use and it gives perfect results. Costs about $140 U.S.
I think you would have to work out the economics of the whole deal yourself...what you saved in Singapore you lose on the software.
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dayler
I have decided to sell the camcorder on eBay. Even if I take a loss I think it will be worth avoiding all the extra work of converting in the future, not to mention a few headaches. I'll take the money from the sale and put toward a good NTSC camcorder.
Anyone have a model they really like? Nothing fancy, just a solid performer (I currently don't need HD).
Dayler
Anyone have a model they really like? Nothing fancy, just a solid performer (I currently don't need HD).
Dayler
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maddrummer3301
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dayler
The Sony doesn't get particularly good reviews. It's considered to be an entry level unit. You can read a review here:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/So ... Review.htm
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/So ... Review.htm
JVC GR-DV3000u Panasonic FZ8 VS 7SE Basic - X2
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heinz-oz