Converting PAL footage to NTSC

I'm new to FCE and as I'm in the UK my work is PAL based. However, I've just filmed a wedding and one of the guests lives in the US. They'd like a copy and I want to find out how I could convert the footage over to NTSC.
Any advice? Is this possible in FCE?
I know that Final Cut Pro comes with Compressor 3 but this comes bundled.
Is there any other software out there?
Thanks.

you can do it in final cut, i have done the other way ntsc to pal and sent videos to england and ireland.
You just need to adjust your export to proper frames, i think we are 29.5 frmaes/ sec and screen size
then when you open idvd set new projects for ntsc then open a new project. i think it has to be a new project.
it will work. i have done it. There is some help in the help menue of idvd i think, it gives you the proper #'s

Similar Messages

Export or convert PAL footage to NTSC

Hi, I have edited some PAL footage and now need to convert to NTSC. I have exported NTSC via Compressor but the footage looks "jumpy" not smooth. Is there a "best" way to do this? Should I export first then convert? Your experience would be appreciated. Thanks.

Graeme Nattress has a standards conversion filter that is well regarded.
you can find it on his web site: www.nattress.com
Be aware that you may see some drop in quality going to NTSC from PAL. PAL just has more information in the frame.
Good luck.
x

Convert PAL footage to NTSC

Hi, I have edited some PAL footage in FCP and now need to convert to NTSC. I have exported NTSC via Compressor but the footage looks "jumpy" not smooth. Is there a "best" way to do this? Should I export first then convert? Your experience would be appreciated. Thanks.

First, I used Compressor and discovered the problem, then exported a DV PAL .MOV and ran it through my Windows conversion software, ProCoder. There are slight differences but the "biggie" is still there. It was interesting as I watched the preview window of Canopus ProCoder... it would render a one second chunk quickly, then slow, and speed up again for the next second... etc. I only notice this hesitation when the video is doing a PAN, and a lot of information is being recorded. I don't notice this anomaly when the camera is moving slowly or is on a steady shot.
Your description - from the beginning of this thread, in fact - sounds like frame judder, the phenomenon where, when doing a software conversion, the convertor only does a mathematical calculation to meet frame rate requirements. In laymen's terms, when you're doing a conversion from PAL to NTSC, unless you're using advanced settings (bearing in mind the longer encoding times), your convertor is simply adding an extra frame every 5 frames (to get 30 NTSC frames out of 25 PAL frames). As you've seen, with slower action motion this isn't usually so bad. But with high-motion footage (or camera movement) the presence of the duplicate frames are jarring.
As already mentioned, if you want to use Compressor 2 (or any other software convertor) to do this, you must use the Better Rate Conversion and Resize settings, with Frame Controls set to Custom. Instead of simply duplicating frames, this redistributes the motion across frames by creating frames. If you want the quality, and don't want to fork over dollars for filters, you have to bear with the encoding times. (I fully understand if you can't bear with it, just thought I'd confirm that you can't escape it though)
Alex' suggestion of the Nattress tools is a good one, though, since his filters render very fast. Either that or get it converted at a local post house using a hardware convertor.

Can I convert PAL-Tapes into NTSC in order to import footage into imovie?

I had a question about using PAL-tapes. Can I convert PAL-tapes into NTSC tapes?
I am trying to import my video that I shot with a PAL-tape. Is there a way to import my data into imovie?

I just answered your question where it belongs: In the iMovie discussion.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=235207&tstart=0

Cheapest way to convert Pal footage from mini dv tape?

Hello All,
What is the cheapest way to convert PAL footage, I have a NTSC camera and believe I need to purchase a camera that plays/accepts PAL tapes. IAm I correct? Any suggestions? Thank you, Maria

As Michael notes, Compressor is the cheapest way to go.
There is an alternative from Graeme Nattress called the "Standards Converter" .
http://www.nattress.com/Products/standardsconversion/standardsconversion.htm
It sells for $100 US and is reported to be the best software converter out there.
x

Convert PAL-tapes into NTSC tapes

I had a question about using PAL-tapes. Can I convert PAL-tapes into NTSC tapes?
I am trying to import my video that I shot with a PAL-tape. Is there a way to import my data into imovie?

Yes.
Use a PAL camera to import the PAL tape.
Use JES Deinterlacer to convert to NTSC.
Create a new NTSC iMovie project.
Import the converted movie.
Export to NTSC tape using an NTSC camera.
For more info on the use of JES Deinterlacer:
http://www.danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6017.shtml
(At the bottom)

Convert PAL Video to NTSC

I'm wondering how it is possible to convert PAL Video to NTSC using FCP, DVDSP or other tools. Thanks.

Hi:
You can do it for free using Compressor standard conversion presets.
Check this thread:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1015451&tstart=15
It's related to NTSC to PAL, but you can use the same guidelines in the other way.
Besides thatm the posted software is only Windows based:
http://www.puremotion.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5466
Hope that helps !
Alberto

Convert PAL DVD to NTSC?

Hi. I recently got an imac G5 and tried playing my 1st DVD. The message came up saying that I have to choose a region code and will only be able to set the region code 5 times before its permanently set. I find this very inconvienent as I have some of both NTSC (region 1) and PAL (region 2) DVDs that I would like to be able to play on my Mac. As a worksround....I'm wondering if its possible for me to convert my PAL DVDs to NTSC using imovie and perhaps some other software.......perhaps importing the info on the PAL DVD into imovie ......and burning a NTSC (region 1) copy? If possible .....how would I go about doing this? Thanks.

I have my computer set to read region 2 DVD . Is this a problem when trying to convert a DVD to region free or 1?
When I run MTR, I get 2 folders, Audio_TS (which is empty) and VIDEO_TS.
VIDEO_TS has many files, example; VIDEO_TS.BUP, VIDEO_TSIFO, VIDEO_VOB, VTS010.BUP, VTS010.IFO, VTS010.VOB....... etc.
When I open JES 2.7.6 to convert from PAL > NTSC... the JES input pane doesn't see the files (they won't hi-lite, double click or anything) (could it be because I have my computer set to read region 2?)
Toast see the MTR files. If I try importing those same MTR files or the DVD files to Toast 6>video tab, I get "files are in a unsupported format and cannot be imported"
If I try and simply take the Pal DVD and "Toast it" from the desktop, I get "Disk could not be mounted. All open files and programs on this volume must be closed first"
When I tried DVDxDV>OTMovie, the playback was jittery on any thing that was moving with-in the picture frame. completely un-watchable. (well maybe with the right drugs....)
I looked at both links send by Matti (btw thank you very much) but I am a novice and don't understand all of the technical jargon....
All I'm trying to do is get a DVD that will play on my stand alone DVD/TV....
KnuckleHead

Does DVDSPro able to convert PAL clip to NTSC by itself ?

I am in PAL country. I wan't to make an NTSC DVD from a PAL clip.
Do I really need to convert this clip to NTSC before I put it in DVD Studio Pro ? Why ? DVD Studio Pro isn't able to do it by itself ?
iDVD apparently can (it's written in the manual)
thanks

PLAN9 (from the outside space??)
Of course !
DVDSP is not a encoding/conversion tool.
Yes, DVDSP is not Compressor. But, when you want to burn your DVD, it encodes mpeg2 files, doesn't he ? Thus, DVDSP can encode files with the help of Quicktime in the background. So if I make it your way, in some ways I use Quicktime twice in a row. Is it really the best way to do ?
You cannot even import PAL assets in NTSC project.
Did you try it ? I am making it at this moment, and it's works.
In all the discussions, people say "first you have to convert your files to NTSC" and "you can even import PAL files in a NTSC project"
Please help me. I don't understand.

How do you convert PAL audio to NTSC?

I have converted a PAL video to NTSC but the audio was mixed separately and so it's still set at 25fps and hence becomes out of sync when I lay it against the video track.
So how do I convert the separate audio.aiff files from 25fps to 30fps?
Thx
Kevin

I think you are barking up the wrong tree...
Let's say you have a 10 second clip of PAL material:
10 seconds x 25 fps = 250 frames
If properly converted to NTSC:
10 seconds x 30 fps = 300 frames
The only difference is the number of frames, NOT THE LENGTH OF THE CLIP! It is still 10 seconds long.
10 seconds of audio x 44.1 kHz = 441 thousand samples
or
10 seconds of audio x 48 kHz = 480 thousand samples
or
10 seconds of audio at 22.05 kHz = 220.5 thousand samples
The only difference is the number of samples. NOT THE LENGTH OF THE AUDIO. It is still 10 seconds long.
If you have drift, then there is something wrong in your conversion. You can't take a 25 fps clip, tell it to play at 30 fps and expect it to be the same length. There are multi-thousand $$$ transcoders that do that job.
HTH,

Convert PAL project to NTSC to burn a region free DVD

I have a two part question that I'm in need of advice on.
PAL/NTSC
I have a short film in a premiere project format PAL 25fps. In order to prepare for DVD burning do I need to just convert the exported PAL file to NTSC or do I need to begin with a premiere project with sequence setting as NTSC 29.9fps?
Then...
Do I just burn to a blank DVD using a standard DVD burner?
Thanks in advance!

Convert on export, but you will take a quality hit, Premiere has to somehow create 4.97 extra frame every second, this will show on any moving material. There are special hardware convertors that do a better job but these tend to be expensive. You will have to author the dvd using a program like Encore that can be downloaded using Adobe CC (you will need to get Premiere CS6 as this includes the last version of Encore).

How to convert PAL dvd to NTSC?

Hello I am trying to convert a PAL dvd to NTSC format and was unable to when I tried mac the ripper. Perhaps it wasn't the program for it.
I'm looking for a free program that would allow me to do this.
Thanks.
Dorian

I do not have final cut pro. Is there another option I can use?
No I'm not trying to rip dvd's. I bought this dvd in europe but unfortunately cannot play in on my dvd player (although I have an all format playing dvd player).
Also, do you get an error when logging into the apple forums.
This is the message I get every time:
Error
An error has occurred. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Thanks for your help.
Dorian

Workflow for converting PAL DVD to NTSC

Hi,
I have read this thread
"http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=7387015#7387015"
but am a little unclear and would appreciate some help.
I have shot 3 short movies in PAL anamorphic, edited in Final Cut Express HD 3.5, exported using the Quicktime Movie option, altered with QT Pro to put back to anamorphic, then added to an iDVD '08 widescreen project.
Everything is fine, but I have realised that some of the recipients are in the Bahamas and require NTSC.
The project is a paid commission so I want to ensure the conversion is as good as possible, without any re-digitising / editing.
I duplicated my iDVD project and have used the project info pane to change to NTSC format. I deleted the encoded assets and this has set of iDVD to re-encode. Is a re-burn all that is required once encoding is done?
It seems this is the easiest option, but are you suggesting the conversion can be better if i use the free JES deinterlacer product.
To integrate this into my workflow I am assuming I could duplicate my asset folder (that contains the quicktime exports from Final Cut) and convert them using JES.
Modification to these quicktimes (ie. a re-edit and export from Final Cut) would usually result in iDVD updating its content upon open.
Am I on the right track?
I have had a quick look at JES. I have added a file to convert and looked at the projects tab.
Do I just have to choose "Standards conversion" & select "NTSC"? What should I set out of "Blend, Telecine or Minimal Blend" for best quality.
I am using an Intel iMac with 2gb of memory.
Thanks
Eric

Thanks for responding. I am currently trying a few options in JES but I was wondering if you have any idea of the best options to select.
I have tried the Export radio button option to DV Stream and Quicktime, but the resulting output is quite a bit smaller than the Final Cut Express Movie File that is the source. I am concerned the quality is reducing.
I am now using the Direct / DV-NTSC output option to see the file size of that.
With regards to iDVD, that process took a hour or so for the automatic re-encode of the project assets and then a burn. It seems to play fine on my MacBook, and there appears to be no detectable degradation. The process seems fine. Has Apple caught up with JES Deinterlacer, or is the benefit not appreciable when not using HD footage or better?
Thanks
Eric

Converting PAL DVD to NTSC

I have a few PAL DVDs I want to convert to NTSC. Is it possible to do this on my G5. I have DSP 3.0 & FCP 4.5.
thanks in advance for your help

While I respect the workflow suggested below, I don't think it will work.
It's one thing to convert original source footage from PAL to NTSC, and quite another to take encode footage an convert.
Exactly how can any utility convert 25fps encode mpeg2/m2c files to 29.97 in a different aspect ratio, and preserve the cadence of the audio?
If you have original footage there is Compressor and nattress.com standards conversion.
best wishes
David
Remember to mark an response helpful or solved.
It protects the integrity of the board.

Will DVD studio pro convert PAL for an NTSC project

Greetings. I am trying to create NTSC showreels from material that was filmed and captured as PAL. Will importing the PAL asset into an NTSC DVD-SP project mean that it will then encode an NTSC MPEG. Or should I convert the original movie in FCP? I am looking for the solution that requires the least time, as these showreel are needed urgently in the states.
The reason I ask is that as a result of technical inexperience of my colleauges a whole hard drive of PAL assets has been sent to the states in order to make showreels for the production companies directors. This included master Showreel Projects which are in PAL. I am not sure of the best way to unf*£$k the situation but hoped it would be as simple as changing the Disc setting to NTSC. Thanks so much for your help. Also If you know of any sites which could help clear this up with information or software...
Sorry I realise this is a fundamental question
Thanks again
Peter Stenhouse

I'm afraid not. It may even be the case that if you have your project set to NTSC it won't import PAL assets (We do all our encoding outside of DVD-SP and if you try and import PAL m2v's into NTSC project it won't do it).
The PAL assets will need to be converted either professionally by a facilities house which time base correctors and all those doodads or you could try using something like Graeme Nattress's convertor for FCP
http://www.nattress.com/standardsConversion.htm
never used them but heard they bare good (and not too expensive) though time consuming
It may be that you can do it directly in FCP but I seem to remember somewhere that it wasn't very satisfactory. At least you have the advantage that you have PAL resolution going to NTSC res and not the other way (which we have to deal with all the time in the UK - not hugely satisfactory)
Hope this helps
Steve Kirkham

Converting PAL footage to NTSC

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for