Converting PAL to NTSC in X3

[maxfrost01]

The NTSC saga continues.
If you still have the will, then read on.........

I've successfully rendered an NTSC mpeg2 720 x 480 video file in preparation for burning the famous NTSC DVD.
I've opened up a new project file and inserted this video file.
When I play the file in the preview screen I get some 'musical blips'. The music seems to add a couple of beats and then rush and then slow again. It reminds me of the dreaded blips but this time the problem is with the music not with the image!
I pushed on and burnt an NTSC DVD which (surprise, surprise) repeats the blips (and maybe even exaggerates them).

Any ideas what is happening and how I might prevent it?

[Ken Berry]

As I already said, to create an NTSC video from a PAL one, Video Studio is having to invent 4.97 fps out of thin air, and does so in effect by duplicating existing frames. This will obviously also affect any audio already embedded into the original video... If you use this route, then I would imagine the best (only?) way of avoiding the audio blips would be to strip out the original audio stream, convert the video to NTSC and reinsert the audio stream into the new NTSC video -- noting however that it may need some editing to compensate for the different frame rate.

[maxfrost01]

Hi, Ken

I'm afraid to say that what you say makes good sense.

I'm going to try stripping out the audio from the high -def PAL file, creating an NTSC file then reinserting the audio and burning.

I'll keep you posted.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Max

If you have successfully created a Pal DVD Mpeg 2 file then use this file to convert to Ntsc
Do not use the HD video file.

[maxfrost01]

Trevor,

That's kinda what I'm trying to do.
I have to go back to the original project file because that's the only place I can strip out the audio track (I think). I know I could mute all on a rendered video file but then I would lose ALL sound including voices on the original video.

I am currently trying to burn an NTSC DVD video file (without the audio track) from the original project (which, of course, has high-def clips in it)

Hope that makes sense?

If the NTSC DVD video file plays okay then I should be able to reinsert the audio and go for the burn!

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Max

I don’t understand.

This is what I would do.

1 / Capture / import my HD video files
2 / Complete the editing then Create a new video file to HD settings.
(This I believe you have done using X2)
3 / Start a new project and insert the new HD video file

4 / Render this to standard Pal DVD Mpeg2 (which I assume you have done) Quote:- “The PAL DVD that I ended up with plays well and looks good.”
5 / Start a new project inserting the video file made in 4 above (the Pal DVD Mpeg2 one)
6 / render this to Ntsc DVD Mpeg2

You now have three video files, a HD, a Pal Mpeg2 and a Ntsc Mpeg2
The last two needs burning to seperate discs.

[maxfrost01]

Ah, Trevor, I fear you miss the point

More seriously, I think Sir Ken seems to have put his finger on the issue.
When I go from PAL to NTSC I'm not just forcing the extra frames into the video (or more accurately, images) but also forcing extra frames into the audio which is embedded in the rendered PAL video file. It seems to be this that creates the 'blips' in the audio.

Anyway, I've just burned an NTSC DVD and all the blips have gone.
I did as I said I would. I stripped the audio out of the high-def project, I rendered an NTSC video file, I put the audio back in and, finally, I burnt the NTSC DVD.
It runs really well.
There are still some sound blips on the voices (from the original video clips) and I guess it might be possible to fix this by separating sound in the original project file, but I think what I now have is more than good enough for my father-in-law (and way too good for my step mother-in-law)

It's been a tough few days. I would like to thank all of you guys for staying with me. You're amazing.
Let me say once again, that without this forum and without you, I would have ditched VS long ago.

By the way, I am now the PAL to NTSC guru. So,
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
And I will show them how to burn an NTSC DVD.

[Ken Berry]

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Max

Glad you have finally managed to create good Pal and Ntsc DVD’s.

Send both copies to the US, your in-laws may just be able to play the Pal version.
That would save you the effort next time.

Most DVD players here in the UK are capable of playing Ntsc versions.

[maxfrost01]

Hi, Trevor

Tried that a few years ago and the PAL one would not play. I seem to remember reading at the time that it's much more common for a PAL machine to play NTSC than the other way around. I am refraining from making any political comment on that.

I guess it might even be worth me providing my father-in-law with a new machine next time I'm over there.
DVD players are getting so cheap it might just be worth it.