NTSC vs. PAL: asset question

Hoping this will be a trivial question for someone, since my DSP 4 documentation doesn't seem to have much to say about it...
I'm planning to produce a series of DVDs whose content will consist of a large number of video assets (2000+). Currently, these assets are in NTSC MPEG-2 format, with corresponding audio assets in either AC3 or AIFF. My question is: what do I need to do in order to produce a complimentary series of PAL DVDs with this content, given that DSP doesn't appear capable of importing NTSC video assets into PAL projects directly?
Now that I'm on an Intel-based machine, I've sent in my upgrade fee for the latest version of Final Cut Studio (which of course includes DSP), so I'll have that at my disposal. Does this software provide a batch-friendly means for me to do what I'm attempting, or do I need additional tools?
TIA for any advice.
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

You will need to convert NTSC assets to PAL assets to do it properly (including menus). Compressor does conversion and there is also other software, such as www.Nattress.com, which does conversion.
The quickest (but may not be best) is to run the assets in bulk through Compressor (but this will also depend on whether you have the Final Cut files still).
2,000 video files is daunting, so try to stay as organized as possible
Also as an aside, more people who use PAL (ex-U.S.) have the ability to play NTSC as compared to the U.S. which is more NTSC centric, so you may want to keep that in mind depending on the project, the audience and whether you will need a PAL version.

Similar Messages

Nattress NTSC To PAL Conversion Question

Is there noticeable difference in quality loss when using the Nattress Standards Conversion plug-in?
I'm assuming that if NTSC is 720 x 480 and PAL is 720 x 576, then Nattress has to 'stretch' the 480 to 576... right?

I've only done the conversion from PAL to NTSC with Graeme's conversion plugin, but it (and all my other Nattress effects experiences) have been excellent...
Patrick

PAL assets to NTSC

I feel really stupid asking so many questions, but I need to learn some things.
I have a DVD that is in PAL and I ripped it using DVDxDV and I brought my QT file into FCP and edited it. I exported to compressor and performed my encode. I have my ac3 and m2v files and I am ready to put it into DSP. When I import the assets into DSP, the audio ac3 comes in just fine but the M2V file says PAL ASSETS cannot be imported into NTSC projects. SO...Since this needs to be an NTSC project, how in the timeline of FCP can I make all of this footage at least read NTSC>?
The problem is that this footage came from France.
Thanks
Robb

try media manager or you can export the clip as self contained mov use compressor to convert to NTSC-DV which you can use in final cut or you can take the new ntsc-dv back in to compressor then use you export for DVD setting. Make sure you presets on DVD studio pro and iDVD are set to NTSC not PAL.
Hope that helps.

IMovie - iDVD and a NTSC versus PAL question

I have some questions about creating iMovie for use in iDVD and about the various formats. Here goes:
I have a large number of travel photos taken in various cities that I need to use to create a project in iMovie. In addition, I have a couple of smallish video segments that go with each of these cities. I want to be able to get to any section from the DVD menus. The sections being defined as the either the videos or the photos for each individual city. Also, I need to be able to create both NTSC and PAL formatted DVD's from this exercise.
Now, as I understand it, there's several ways I can approach this:
First, I can use iMovie to create discreet projects for each segment. The individual city videos being one type. The photo shows of the individual cities being another type. Then export each of these via the media browser and import them individually into iDVD. But that then begs the question of NTSC versus PAL. Since I have to choose a project format in iMovie (NTSC or PAL), does that imply that I've got to have separate projects for each one of the cities NTSC or PAL versions? Or can I just use the NTSC project and cut the DVD in either NTSC or PAL format based on the settings in iDVD? If I use this route, what's the best export format to use for optimal appearance on the finished DVD?
Second, I can create one long project in iMovie. Put chapter markers in it and export it to the media browser. Then, import it into iDVD and use the chapter markers referenced from the various menu picks. If I go this route, once again, how do I account for the NTSC versus PAL differences? And again, what's the best export settings for optimal viewing?
I guess much of this question relates to the issue of having to specify a format in both iMovie and iDVD. If I choose NTSC in iMovie, but use PAL in iDVD, other than the obvious format mismatch, what actually happens by doing this? Or, turn it around. Use PAL in iMovie and NTSC in iDVD. Again, what's the ramifications of doing this?
Just trying to figure out the best way of going about this and what the tradeoffs are for each approach. Any insight you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Oh... and sorry to have been so long winded.
Many thanks in advance,
Tom

Hi
Oh Dear. Is this an assigned task from an editing turor. Then He/She is mean.
a. If You want a DVD - Then You should not use iMovie'08 or 09 or 11 as they can not export interlaced video to iDVD as it needs but discard every second line resulting in a less quality DVD. Use (for SlideShows and Movies)
• iMovie up to HD6 (SlideShows or Movie) - or -
• FinalCut any version (SlideShows or Movie) - or -
• FotoMagico (if You make only a SlideShow - can not do movies)
If persisting with iMovie'08-11 - Then DO NOT use "Share to iDVD" from within any version of iMovie (not 3 - HD6 either) as they do a bad job. But in iM'08-11 "Share to Media Browser" and as Large. In iM HD6 or FCE/P Save as QuickTime .mov and import this into iDVD.
b. NTSC and PAL - If DVD is to be sent to EU (PAL) - then most DVD-players also playback NTSC so conversion is not needed (mostly).
There are NO way to make a combo version PAL & NTSC - They do not exist.
If You make a PAL iMovie /FC project - then DO NOT let iDVD convert to NTSC (or other way either)
• it can do so - BUT Result is severely BAD
I use JES_Deinterlacer to make the conversion and it's so much better. (free on internet)
But absolutly best result is by doing two versions in the movie-editor - one PAL and one NTSC version.
c. Use High quality DVD brand - I only use Verbatim DVD-R
and set down burn speed to x4 - Less burn errors and plays on many more Players.
Just to start with.
Take one Q at a time and we can fix this.
Yours Bengt W

NTSC to PAL project conversion?

I know this question has been dealt with alot in the past but I can't seem to find an answer to my question. I know my video assets have to changed over to PAL
and that is not my question.
My question is can I convert the project to PAL,
with all my menu and buttons intact.
I don't want to have to go back and redo my menu and buttons.
It says the only way to change to PAL is to create a new project,
however then I loose my menu and buttons, which I don't want to do.
Is there away to convert the project to PAL, excluding the video assets?
Or how do I bring menus and buttons from a another project into a new project?
Thanks
Patch

Try this:
- Save As with a new name
- Remove all video assets from your tracks (you can keep the empty tracks
- Change in the Inspector the standard from NTSC to PAL (it must let you do so)
- Reencode your video and import the new assets into the old tracks (don't reuse the audio from NTSC tracks, because probably will get out of sync issues)
And finally . . . Menus. If you made graphics for your menu brackgrounds, you must made new versions of them using the right PAL pixels sizes. If you let DVDSP just resize the old ones, you'll get a poor quality background.
Give a try to this workflow!
Alberto

NTSC to PAL DVD

I am attempting to make a PAL DVD in DVDSP 3. I changed the disc and encoding settings to PAL and encoded my stand alone movie from media 100 which was 720x480 as PAL.
I watch the DVD on my g4 apple dvd player and it's fine, but when I watched it on my apex dvd player, I saw these lines running across horizontally. Thick lines, mostly on fast motion, but other places too.
When my client watches the same dvd on his computer, (mac 0s 9 i believe) he sees what I see on the apex.
Question: Is this normal, since my monitor is NTSC to see these lines? Normally when I've watched a PAL piece on a PAL player on an NTSC monitor, I see color problems and tracking problems... but not these lines...
Also: What is good for a stand alone program, to convert files from NTSC to PAL?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me.

You can't just encode from one standard to another
You need to use a standards converter, or have original PAL footage
What do you mean by "I changed the disc and encoding settings to PAL and encoded my stand alone movie from media 100?"
Just changing to PAL in DVD SP if the original footage is NTSC doesn't change the source footage and creates a PAL DVD.

Exporting 14:9 video for NTSC and PAL

Hello,
I'm working on 1080p video that will need to have a few output format, namely HD and SD 14:9 for NTSC and PAL.
At the moment I have no issue with getting the 14:9 video inside SD format, but my question is more of, should I turn my aspect ratio to PAL, NTSC, or should I keep it as square pixel? Viewing from inside a computer, the ones that has aspect ratio looked a bit squashed or stretched, and that worries my producer. I'm not technically savvy enough in broadcast knowledge to ensure her that everything is going to be fine once the video goes into broadcast, hence I'm posting the question here. I did my search on the web, but nothing seemed to help. Or maybe I'm just a big doofus that missed the very big hint in front of me. If anyone could help me figure this out, or point me in the right direction, I would really really appreciate it.
Regards,
Deo

Hey guys. Thank you for your input.
I think I may have overcomplicated the question in my state of panic with the 14:9 thing. Yes, the client did ask for 14:9 video, which to my knowledge is a scaled down HD video in SD sequence. A bit bigger than 16:9 in SD sequence, with smaller letterbox and cropped sides. From what I've read (in wikipedia), it's used in UK, Irish, French, Spain, and Australia. So the PAR should still follow SD PAL and NTSC PAR.
I've been barking the wrong tree, and after reading this, it seemed clear that I should be using PAR as TVs pixel is not square. And it's fine to have squashed and stretched picture of these outputs because computer's pixel is square. Right?
I'm not really in a position to ask the station, as this is a regional job with a few countries involved, so I'm not directly in contact with the stations themselves. But hypothetically, if I can ask, will they give me a set of guidelines to follow?
Regards,
Deo

NTSC to PAL, anyone?

Hello There,
I'm about to buy Premier and I'm excited about it. I'm learning and you'll see that from my question.
Can anyone tell me if Premier has the ability to output an NTSC project to PAL? My camera is NTSC. My client needs a PAL end result.
Or, if that's not possible, what program will do the job and how's the quality of the result?
Thanks,
BT

Crellin Sound wrote:
Hmmmm,
Just how tricky is the frame rate conversion going from NTSC to PAL? We'll probably shoot at 24fps, but one never knows. There's a possibility that this could go to TV.
And just how much visual color difference is there between NTSC and PAL? Does the difference between 16 - 235 for NTSC and 0 - 255 for PAL really matter? Is it noticeable?
Thanks,
BT
Well, make sure you know at least what you are shooting
I just gave it a try using AME, max render quality & frame blending and the result is... let me put is this way: you'll see the difference comparing both clips, especially if the source is interlaced, for progessive its a quite a bit better. Some people would say just play it back at 25 fps, the lesser speed is visually below being perceivable, but you will get audio shifting.
Using time remapping might be better, I had good result using Apples Compressor which uses optical flow for rendering intermediate frames (which is not good for CG, by the way). After Effects has similar capabilities, but I haven't used them yet.
As long as you stay in HD you wont notice any color differences since there arent any. Both use the same color space.

Denmark NTSC or PAL

I am kinda in a hurry to send a DVD off to Denmark for a family reunion. I completely forgot about the format. It is a slide show I did in NTSC.
PAL or NTSC is the question or both maybe. I apologize for my ignorance!
Rob

Denmark is a PAL country. Check this:
The best you can do is recreate the project in PAL (you cannot change an existing project from NTSC to PAL).
Most DVD players/TVs in PAL countried can play NTSC standard, but you really can be sure of that at least you can ask the people in Denmark.
You can find here a list of countries and standards:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PAL
Alberto

NTSC HDV & PAL HDV combined

Hi,
All my Video gear is Pal. I had the Sony A1e (Pal) which after 6 services still has the moisture problem. I have looked for another good used one but nothing on the net. There is a Sony A1P for sale but I think P is the NTSC version.
My question is; Is it very difficult or plainly not feaseable to try & mix the two formats in FCP X.

No worries.
I'm near Brissie in Oz.
Welcome abaord.
Al

NTSC or PAL to Flash CS3

Hi,
I need to edit a movie and place it in an Flash document.
When I want to purchase the movie I have to option to download it in NTSC and PAL or HD
The HD has 29,97 fps -> so NTSC
I am in a PAL-country so the logical choice is to download a PAL version.
I have a theorie but don't know if this will work.
If I do download the HD version and edit this in Premiere Pro CS3 and export it with the NTSC settings. I will have no loss in the movie.
But if I import it in Flash CS3 and export the movie will I have quality loss?
I think not because the movie will be shown on a computer screen.
I hope somebody can help me with this.

G.
One of the advantages of Shooting with a PAL camera is that you don't have too many frame rates to worry about and no pull down is needed.
You can shoot PAL (50 fields per second as opposed to NTSC 60 ) at 25frames ps (or better 50fps, talk to your DoP about this) edit easily with FCP on a PAL timeline and eventually convert to NTSC using [Nattress Standard Converter|http://www.nattress.com/Products/standardsconversion/standardsconvers ion.htm] or Compressor 3.
However, there are a couple of things you can take into account:
1)most DVD players nowadays can play both PAL and NTSC (Not all though)
2)If you are used to a specific workflow stick with it or do some tests before you take any decision.
You could shoot with a PAL camera and edit a few minutes in FCP, do a standard conversion with Compressor then encode and import the asset in DVDSP to burn a DVD to see if you are happy.
Testing is a crucial step of the work and hiring the camera for half a day will cost you much less than a rushed decision.
Best,
G.

NTSC vs PAL upcoming shoot- need help.

hi, i have a huge project coming up. some video shot in US other in Europe.
thinking of using AF-100 as well as a DSLR, as second camera cutaways.
want to use 1080 30p setting, ideally. question is, how do i handle shooting in europe? If i have a US crew and bring a NTSC camera, how shall it be shot given the 50hz vs 60hz issue? If i hire a crew in Europe using AF-100, it will be PAL but then how do I edit that footage along with stuff shot in US? much thanks.

Hello Sue,
personally I'd convert everything to PAL as I've always felt that I get slightly better results from NTSC to PAL conversions than vice versa ... but it also depends on your final output.
Since you're saying that you'll shoot with AF-100s and DSLRs, why not shoot everything in 24p and forget about standards conversions? And from what I hear you can even shoot overcranked 50/60p in 24p mode with the AF-100.
hope this helps
mish

Converting NTSC to PAL with chapter markers

Hey guys,
I have just a quick question.
I am making a home made video. I did all the editing in FCP and made a great DVD in iDVD. I would like to do the same thing in PAL format so I can send it to my parents in Europe. My original footage is in NTSC. I did my own research and tried using compressor to change format to PAL.
I tried several different settings (PAL DV, Mpeg 2 PAL) but the outcome movie is always missing chapter markers.
I also tried to import the PAL movie (after conversion in Compressor) to FCP and added chapter markers but did not work.
Does anybody know how to convert the format from NTSC to PAL and keep the chapter markers at the same time? I would like to mantain as high quality as possible.
Thanks for your help.
iMac G5 Intel Core Duo Mac OS X (10.4.8)
iMac G5 Intel Core Duo Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Well, this seemed to work. However, being completely new to converting to PAL, I was surprised to see the "jumpiness" that goes along with the frame rate drop. Looking at it taxes the eyes as it seems like its dropping frames every so often. I realize, through more research that this is due to the 25 FPS nature of PAL plus the fact that I'm converting and not just authoring from PAL material. Having said this, is there a tried and true way of "smoothing" this jumpiness that anyone would share?
A friend of mine suggested that when I place the file into DVDSP, I choose the TOP field in the encoding tab, prior to burning the disk. In the past I have always left the FIELD menu set at Auto. He says that setting it to TOP might help a little.
He also told me that a lot of the software based converters don't do the best of jobs. Although acceptable results may come from tweaking the settings, the best way to convert NTSC to PAL (with the most pleasing results) is by using a very high end converter (not a computer). Although you have to weigh out the circumstances such as how many disks will eventually be converted compared to available budget, is it worth spending a little extra for a master that will ultimately see 1,000 copies?
I'm planning on showing my client the burn with field dominance set to TOP, on Monday. Hopefully she'll find it acceptable and I'll be able to move on with this project. Thanks for all the help!
Steve
Power Mac, G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

NTSC to PAL in AME CS4

Please advise if I missed the forum that is strictly for Adobe Media Encoder CS4, having found none I've chosen to post here.
I need to convert a standard NTSC DV file in the MS avi format to PAL DV in the Quicktime format.
While AME CS4 does a much better job than it's predecessor, it's still struggling with the frame rate interpolation, yielding video that's visibly dropping frames to achieve 25fps. Quality converters to a great job of masking the frame conversion.
My question is: 1) Am I missing some setting tweak that could improve the look of the PAL conversion? 2) If not, can anyone recommend another software encoder that DOES do an outstanding job of converting NTSC to PAL. I'm thinking of buying either Sorenson Squeeze or Canopus MediaCoder.
Brent

Try this process.
It was originally developed to create 24p DV files, but can also be used to convert NTSC to PAL (and quite well I might add). The details are in the Read Me.
Going from AVI to MOV is another issue, though. Not sure how specifically to do that one as I'm really not a Mac fan.

NTSC to PAL / 24fps

Hi guys,
I'm shooting a tv show for MTV tr in New York City and since it will air in Europe it has to be set in PAL so I am unsure on how to deal with the settings.
I have NTSC 24fps footage that needs to be edited. My question is when I start a new project in Premiere CS3 should I choose NTSC or PAL or should I start editing in NTSC and convert it to PAL?
Second question, when I import the footage in Premiere which, is located in my external hard drive with usb 2.0, the video seems jerky or choppy on the camera movements such as panning and any fast camera moves. Do you know how or where I can adjust this problem? Could it be that my project was shot in 24 fps and the new project file fps is 29.97? I didn't change any fps settings in the new project, so I assumed it's automatically 29.97.
My computer:
Windows XP
2.80GHz Pentium D CPU
2.00GB RAM
Third question, should I render my project and burn a DVD or does it render when you burn a DVD automatically?
Can anyone please help me with this?
Thank you so much!
Firat

From what you have described and looking at the specs I feel there is little chance of your program being accepted for television anywhere.
Need some answers...
What camera was used to shoot the footage at 24fps? Is it DV or HDV?
Why did you not choose a project setting of 24fps rather than 29.97?
Why did you use USB to transfer files rather than Firewire?
Capturing USB sort of indicates that your camera is DVD or HDD based and using Mpeg files which CS3 doesn't like, nor do TV stations.
Don't worry too much about burning a DVD until you work out if the footage is editable.

NTSC vs. PAL: asset question

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for