PAL disks in NTSC DVD Players...OT I know!

Hi,
I'm posting this here because you chaps are the oracle on all things video and I know there's many of you guys who live across the pond...
In the UK, it's standard nowadays to have NTSC playback on our DVD players.
How does that work in the US? Is PAL a standard playback format...please don't confuse it with regions...different bag.
I'm having a large amount of DVD's pressed and many are going to America, I'm wondering how many I need to get done as actual NTSC if I discover that PAL isn't really supported in the US.
Help appreciated.
K.

Yes. iDVD is NTSC by default, you have to make it PAL.
I thought you got a warning saying PAL attributes in an NTSC project, but I'm not an expert on anything with an 'i' in front of it.
Play it in Mac DVD player and get the properties for the file, that will tell you for sure, or of course try playing it in a DVD player you know only supports PAL discs.
Message was edited by: Ken Evans

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"PAL" HDV to NTSC DVD

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thanks RedTruck, i will try this!
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Switch NTSC DVD slideshow to PAL

Good morning,
my wife and I recently received a DVD Slideshow made on a PC in the NTSC format from our Wedding photographers.
My family lives in Europe and cannot watch NTSC format. Is there a way to make a copy of my slideshow but in the PAL format?
Thank you very very much.
P

Hi
Usually - NTSC-DVDs plays well in PAL players - but not the other way around.
So here is my notes on PAL to NTSC. Just think the other way around.
PAL to NTSC or NTSC to PAL
A. Copying commercial DVDs - No Not possibly at all - Not even legal to discuss.
B. Home made DVDs (DVDs without copy protection)
C. Movies from iMovie or FinalCut
• Save as full quality QuickTime .mov and convert this with JES_Deinterlacer (free on internet)
NTSC ---> PAL.
• Most often not necessary - Most stand alone PAL DVD-players playback NTSC
(if TV is old in BL/W)
PAL ---> NTSC.
• If played on Mac - not necessary AT ALL
• If on NTSC DVD-player - CONVERSION IS NEEDED - nearly no Stand alone NTSC-DVD-players
playback PAL at all.
To do this You need to convert the PAL DVD to streaming.DV or full quality QuickTime .mov
• I use Roxio Toast™ to do this (There are no free converter)
• JES_Deinterlacer (free on internet) to convert to NTSC
• Set up an NTSC project (29.97fps or 30) in iDVD and import then burn
I burn to
• Verbatim DVD-R
• Set down burn speed in iDVD to x1 or x4 recommended by many
• Secure a minimum of 25Gb free space on internal boot hard disk before burning (IMPORTANT)
PAL is 25 fps and an analog TV standard of 625 lines
NTSC is 29.97 fps and 520 lines
NTSC (29.97fps) 520 lines - about 640x480 pixels (square) 720x480 rectangular (narrow) pixels
PAL (25 fps) 625 lines - about 768x576 pixels (square) 720x576 rectangular (narrow) pixels
to use a photo 702x480 resp 576 then add 9 pixels on each side to add together as 720
If iDVD hangs on PAL or NTSC.
Bengt W wrote
Deleting iDVD pref. file - should return You into NTSC mode.
Yes iDVD can switch to PAL - BUT as You see with a rather lousy result.
a. Need to convert to PAL - most often not - Most PAL-player can playback NTSC
and on a fairly new TV in color. (old TV in Bl/W)
(Other way around - from PAL to NTSC most often a must - few NTSC-player can use PAL)
b. IF MUST - then use JES_Deinterlacer to do this conversion - so much better and free.
My list on this (or rather PAL --> NTSC - just think the other way around)
Allosaurus writes
Thank you SDMacuser. I dumped all the plist icons with no result, and was getting pretty plist off when it occurred to me to delete all the previous dvd.proj files. Bingo. That did the trick. So thank you for all your help and the additional information you provided.
Yours Bengt W

NTSC DVD created with iMovie 6.0.3. Need to convert to PAL.

Is there a way to do this without starting over? Can I switch iMovie from NTSC to PAL? Can I take my iMovie NTSC project and copy it to a new iMovie window after switching the preferences to PAL? Would that keep chapters in place? Can Toast or something do this? I sure hate to totally start over.

Hi
Please Karsten
b) export your iMovie project; drag the resulting file into a new PAL IDVD project; iDVD will ask you to keep or change the standard
IS NO GOOD WAY at all - It works but resulting DVD is barely viewable ! (jumpy, un-sharp and really bad)
a) is an excellent choice as long as TV is fairly modern - else result will be Bl/W
My notes on this:
PAL to NTSC or NTSC to PAL
A. Copying commercial DVDs - No Not possibly at all - Not even legal to discuss.
B. Home made DVDs (DVDs without copy protection)
C. Movies from iMovie or FinalCut
• Save as full quality QuickTime .mov and convert this with JES_Deinterlacer (free on internet)
NTSC ---> PAL.
• Most often not necessary - Most stand alone PAL DVD-players playback NTSC
(if TV is old in BL/W)
PAL ---> NTSC.
• If played on Mac - not necessary AT ALL
• If on NTSC DVD-player - CONVERSION IS NEEDED - nearly no Stand alone NTSC-DVD-players
playback PAL at all.
To do this You need to convert the PAL DVD to streaming.DV or full quality QuickTime .mov
• I use Roxio Toast™ to do this (There are no free converter)
• JES_Deinterlacer (free on internet) to convert to NTSC
• Set up an NTSC project (29.97fps or 30) in iDVD and import then burn
I burn to
• Verbatim DVD-R
• Set down burn speed in iDVD to x1 or x4 recommended by many
• Secure a minimum of 25Gb free space on internal boot hard disk before burning (IMPORTANT)
PAL is 25 fps and an analog TV standard of 625 lines
NTSC is 29.97 fps and 520 lines
NTSC (29.97fps) 520 lines - about 640x480 pixels (square) 720x480 rectangular (narrow) pixels
PAL (25 fps) 625 lines - about 768x576 pixels (square) 720x576 rectangular (narrow) pixels
to use a photo 702x480 resp 576 then add 9 pixels on each side to add together as 720
If iDVD hangs on PAL or NTSC.
Bengt W wrote
Deleting iDVD pref. file - should return You into NTSC mode.
Yes iDVD can switch to PAL - BUT as You see with a rather lousy result.
a. Need to convert to PAL - most often not - Most PAL-player can playback NTSC
and on a fairly new TV in color. (old TV in Bl/W)
(Other way around - from PAL to NTSC most often a must - few NTSC-player can use PAL)
b. IF MUST - then use JES_Deinterlacer to do this conversion - so much better and free.
My list on this (or rather PAL --> NTSC - just think the other way around)
I have to send it overseas
That too can be a problem. As USA = NTSC = 29.97fps and EU = PAL = 25fps.
DO Not let iMovie or iDVD do this conversion from one to the other - Result will be Very
BAD
I save the movie as a full quality QuickTime .mov file then I use JES_Deinterlacer to do the conversion - then I cont. in iMovie or iDVD with project set accordingly.
JES_Deinterlacer is free on Internet and there are Pro applications but not that much better and costs are astronomical.
PAL-DVDs - don't play in US
NTSC-DVDs - usually plays well in EU
All plays well on a Mac - What ever.
Allosaurus writes
Thank you SDMacuser. I dumped all the plist icons with no result, and was getting pretty plist off when it occurred to me to delete all the previous dvd.proj files. Bingo. That did the trick. So thank you for all your help and the additional information you provided.
Yours Bengt W

Can iMOVIE HD convert a PAL DVD to a NTSC DVD?

That was all! Can iMOVIE HD convert a PAL DVD to a NTSC DVD? That's my only question. Thanks.

Hi
A. Commersial DVDs - No Not at all - Not even legal to discuss.
B. Home made DVDs (without copy protection)
NTSC ---> PAL.
• Most often not necessary - Most stand alone PAL-DVD players playback NTSC
(if TV is old in BL/W)
PAL ---> NTSC.
• If played on Mac - not necessary AT ALL
• If on NTSC-DVD-player - CONVERSION IS NEEDED - nearly no Stand alone NTSC-DVD-players
playback PAL at all.
To do this You need to conver the PAL DVD to streaming.DV
• I use Roxio Toast™ to do this (There are no free converter)
• MPEG Streamclip (free on internet) to convert to NTSC
• Set up an NTSC project (29.97fps or 30) in iDVD and import then burn
I burn to
• Verbatim DVD-R
• Set down burn speed in iDVD to x1 or x4 recommended by many
• Secure a minimum of 25Gb free space on internal boot hard disk before burning (IMPORTANT)
Yours Bengt W

Producing NTSC dvd's from PAL projects

Hi
I'm in Australia (PAL) but would like to produce dvd's that can be viewed in the USA.
If I produce a NTSC version of my PAL filmed project in idvd, will it work in NTSC dvd players in the USA?

when you set iDVD to NTSC/29.97 and import a PAL iMovie, iDVD will convert your material and creates a NTSC videoDVD ...
... my experience, going vice versa, NTSC >>PAL, told me, that the underlying QTengine doesn't show a good result.. so, the long way for a probably better result is:
export your iM as 'QT/Full Quality' ..
download and use for free JES Deinterlacer
open your iMexport, choose 'Project, conversion' and let JESDI do the conversion..
drop THAT new file into a NTSC iDVD project..

Ntsc Dvd to Pal m

Hey there guys,
I just finished editing a dvd on imovie 4/ idvd. I would like to send a copy of this dvd to a friend in Brazil. Can anyone recommend how I transfer this ntsc dvd to pal m for brazil?
Thank u for taking the time to read this.
aaron

As QuickTimeKirk points out, just send your DVD. I have never seen a PAL DVD player that doesn't play NTSC discs. And just add a TV that isn't older than 10-15 years and you are OK.
The opposite is harder: Only the latest NTSC DVD players and TVs can play PAL discs.
For commercial ("Hollywood") discs you must also consider region codes, but that isn't an issue for discs you create yourself.

Creating NTSC DVD from PAL VHS input

I have a PAL VHS tape that I have just captured in AVI format using a Canopus ADVC-55 bridge. The settings I used in PE10 were DV PAL (as I am in Australia). I am now going to produce a DVD of the footage for use in Australia, but I also need to send a copy to my cousin in the USA, where they use NTSC. The whole PAL/NTSC process confuses me somewhat and I would appreciate some guidance.
1. If I create a PAL DVD for viewing here, is it right that it won't play in a DVD player in the USA? If it won't, can I create a DVD with output settings NTSC even though the input setting was PAL?
2. If I don't create a playable DVD as output, but instead just create an MPEG file and burn the MPEG file to a DVD to be read on a PC, will it read on a PC in the USA?
3. Should I recapture the footage, setting the ADVC-55 to NTSC (rather than PAL), and the project settings to DV NTSC? I have tried this and it seems to work, much to my surprise, as I thought the VHS tape itself was in PAL format and hence would not capture with NTSC settings.

Although most PAL DVD players will play NTSC video -- you are correct that virtually no US NTSC DVD players can play PAL video. And that's true whether you burn a DVD file or an MPEG to a disc. It's a different aspect ratio, resolution and frame rate.
But you can use Share/Computer/AVI with the NTSC DV preset to output an NTSC DV file of your project. Then you can start up an NTSC DV project, load that file into it and burn an NTSC DVD from that.
It won't be perfect. But the program does to a pretty good job of interpretting your video from one format to another.

What format is playable on dvd players in France

I want to send a home movie to grandma in france but I am confused about what format, NTSC or PAL is used for dvd players in France. Any body know??
Thanks

I want to send a home movie to grandma in france but
I am confused about what format, NTSC or PAL is used
for dvd players in France. Any body know??
Thanks
Getting good quality out of converting NTSC to PAL with the tools we have available is pretty much impossible.
Since most PAL players also support NTSC,I suggest you try sending her an NTSC DVD to see if she can play it.

25fps 1280 to NTSC DVD?

Hi all,
I have a film shot, edited and output to 1280x720 25fps. An American distributor wants it on DVD. I have Natress. The options are all for interlaced source. Do any of the wise folk here have an idea of the workflow for this? I've done PAL to NTSC before, but going from HD to NTSC, I haven't been happy with the motion.
Thoughts?
Cheers

Actually, much better than converting to ntsc, use cinematools to conform to 23.98fps (aka 24p) which simply changes the frame rate slightly slowing down the video and audio and then use the appropriate dvd preset in compressor to create your m2v and ac3 files. You can then author a 23.98fps dvd in dvdsp which all NTSC dvd players (both settop and software) will play. On a properly connected and configured settop player connected to a flat screen, it will play out progress 24p, as will most software dvd players. Otherwise, pulldown will automatically be added to output a 29.97 frame rate.

DVD created in iDVD don't run well in some DVD players

I recently edited a two hour wedding in Final Cut Pro 5.11 then made the DVD on iDVD using a Memorex DVD-R, after burning I tested in my DVD player and iMac and it ran well, then I took it to a TV/DVD combo and it freezed in several parts of the movie?
Why did this happened? Does it have to do with the export settings in Final Cut, or the burning settings on iDVD? or what?

Basically, you want to burn at 4x or lower for your DVD disk in order to minimize errors and be campatible with the most consumer DVD players. Some of the older DVD players have trouble with the higher burn speeds, and sometimes poor disk media can cause difficulties. Maxell or Verbatim DVD-R disks are the recommended media.
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I don't know anything about Final Cut, but I doubt that your use of that program is causing any problem because you were able to create a successful disk that played on your iMac DVD player. The issue is probably with your TV/DVD combo player.
There are experts on this forum more knowledgeable than I, and perhaps they will offer additional comment.

Is this true?? NTSC dvd projects will play in PAL players

From The "Unofficial" imovie FAQ
http://www.danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6017.shtml
States:
The good news is: You can just send an NTSC disc. Any PAL set top DVD player capable of playing DVD-R discs can also play NTSC discs. All that is needed is a fairly new TV, built in the last 8-10 years or so.
So is this true? I can send my project made in idvd to a country that uses PAL and my NTSC project will play?
Thank you for your time.

my Sony TV is 12 years old and does accept the "strange" signal, my DVDplayer (and multinorm VHSplayer) offers while NTSC playback... (colorful pix, stereo audio)
..This has been VERY helpful. ..
as Original Poster of this thread, don't hesitate to make use of the marker functions in this forum...

NTSC DVD doc for PAL Europe. Updated Advice on IF I need to convert & HOW?

I have read with interests several posts on playing NTSC, all region DVDs on PAL DVD players. I hope someone may have some updated advice for my situation. In brief, I would like to give out DVD copies to festival goers in France where my Doc will play in April. I thought to produce DVD-Rs on my Mac.
With a film acquired documentary(24fps), transferred to NTSC video (29.97 fps) sitting as both Avid and Final Cut Pro Media on my trusty G-4, I am now ready to export a Quicktime Movie and then encode to MPEG-2, and "author" a DVD in DVD Studio Pro.
Will an NTSC DVD now play on most DVD players and Televisions in Europe? (A contact stated their "players are bi-standard NTSC and PAL", but I'm still uncertain this means my DVD-R or replicated NTSC will play).
Should I make a PAL DVD?
IF I try a PAL DVD is it really as simple as exporting a Same as Source Quick Time Movie from Avid or FCP then using the QT MPEG-2 exporter and selecting "PAL" from within Quick Time? Then I just create a new Pal project in DVD Studio Pro?...... Even if it is that simple to create PAL from QT and my media, I don't see how my 24 fps/29.97 fps doc now magically becomes PAL 25 fps / 59.97 fps just because I converted it to MPEG-2.
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I really appreciate any newer thoughts on this topic. I'm an old pre-digital film guy so be kind.
Thanks, Rob
G-4 Quicksilver Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Yes, although the vast majority of newer European DVD players and TVs have no problems with NTSC DVDs, the only way to be sure (well, almost sure) is to burn a PAL DVD. You can't legislate for the fact, however, that not all DVD players can play all DVD-R authored disks, but that's a seperate problem!
I generally use After Effects for quick and dirty (but good quality) standards conversion. Whatever you do don't just try exporting your project via Quicktime using a PAL as this will only change the colour space and not the frame rate or frame size. If you use QT to change frame rate it will simply repeat every fifth frame to get to 30fps which will give you jerky motion.
Here's a step by step guide to doing the conversion in Compressor 2, using "optical flow" to interpolate to get the extra frames :
http://www.macworld.com/2006/02/secrets/marchcreate/index.php?pf=1

PAL disks in NTSC DVD Players...OT I know!

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