PAL/NTSC DVD player question

Greetings, Can I play a PAL format DVD from the UK in my Powerbook? Here is the info. from system profiler:
MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-835E:
Firmware Revision: GAN7
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipped/Supported)
Cache: 2048 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -RW, +R, +RW
Burn Underrun Protection CD: Yes
Burn Underrun Protection DVD: Yes
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, DVD-DAO
Media: No
I have read that if you play a PAL format DVD more than five time my settings will be permanently locked in the PAL format, and I will no longer be able to play commercial NTSC DVD's. Which would be bad. I do travel allot with the Powerbook and watch movies on the plane. Should I consider converting all PAL DVD's into NTSC? If anyone could shed light on this please advise. Thanks.

Here's the work-around I use, which just requires that you have enough free space on your hard drive to hold the entire VIDEO_TS file (up to 8 GB): Download the freeware program Mac the Ripper (Google it, then find a site that MacroVision hasn't hacked into and shut down, and proceed with the download and installation). Insert the DVD you want to watch. The DVD player in your Mac will then ask you if you want to use one of your few remaining region switches. IGNORE that dialog box altogether--just leave it open without selecting anything (if you select CANCEL it'll eject your DVD, so don't do that).
Open Mac the Ripper and following the clear instruction manual to set the controls properly copy the DVD into your Mac (I choose to save the file in the Movie folder). Takes about 20-25 minutes for most movies, and the copy you get is stripped of region coding. When that is done, close MTR, go back to the dialog box of your DVD player, hit CANCEL, and let the disk eject. Then reopen the DVD player, and have it open the VIDEO_TS file. Playback will proceed as if you were watching the DVD itself.
PS-if you want to burn a DVD backup stripped of region coding, you can use DVD2oneX2, a file-compression/DVD burning program available for a free 30-day trial, $30 thereafter. Works very well. Good luck & (hopefully) enjoy!

Similar Messages

PAL & NTSC DVDs--an Option?

I have an extensive collection of PAL & NTSC DVDs. The G5 has a (lower) empty optical drive slot. If I install another Superdrive will I be able to set it up to exclusively use this to play PAL regions 2 & 4 DVDs without locking the G5 permanently into this format i.e. use the first drive to still play NTSC Region 1 DVDs only? I understand that the manual says the the format choice can only be changed 5 times, but it is not clear to me if this statement applies only to the optical drives or the computer itself. I certainly do not want to make an irreversible choice for the G5!
Any help will be appreciated.

So... You are confusing video standard (format) with region codes here. The optical drives in Macs (most) are region code locked, meaning that they will only play disks from one region (and that region may be changed up to 5 times before the hardware gets stuck). It doesn't care what video format is on the disk from that region (NTSC or PAL), and it doesn't care about region-free disks (recordable DVDs, and commercial region-free disks).
On the Mac, the region locking is managed by firmware on the drive itself, so you can have one drive per region, if you like.
It might be more convenient to upgrade the firmware on the drive (depending on what model you have) to a region-free version of the firmware. As you may or may not be aware, the US is a WIPO signatory country and is prohibited from recognizing region codes as a form of copy protection or copyright control. Apple includes region code locks on their drives, ostensibly at the behest of their peers in the media industry, but it's perfectly OK for you to remove it (and, there are locales where region code locking is actually prohibited, but presumably if you bought your Mac there the locks are already absent). Be aware, however, that changing the firmware of the drive would void the warranty on the drive (not the whole Mac, just the DVD drive).
Another option might be to purchase an external region-free DVD drive.

PAL to NTSC DVD compression questions

Ok,
I have recently finished a dvd in PAL format with about 4.5GB total video once compressed. Now I need to get this into an NTSC version. Is it possible to use Compressor 2 to convert the DVD compressed clips/audio [the ones ready for PAL DVD] into NTSC format ready to build my project in DVDSP? Or do I need my original quicktime clips in PAL format and change them to NTSC in Compressor 2 then make them into NTSC DVD ready clips? Also what is the best setting for NTSC DVD in compressor that will be ok for the size of my final version [4.5GB]. Sorry about these questions but I made the PAl version with compressor 1 and there was far less settings to worry about.
powerbook 12 Mac OS X (10.2.x)

I'm pretty sure you need to go back to your Final Cut source material and re-export via Compressor by selecting 'advanced standards conversion' to get your NTSC files. Then you can import these into DVDSP as NTSC assets.

Possible to do a DL PAL / NTSC DVD?

Hi,
we just finishing our DVD which is a PAL project and just comes out to fit a single DVD. Is it possible to make a DualLayer DVD with a PAL project on the first half and a NTSC project on the second to increase the commercial sale possibilities for the USA and Japan? Would a standard DVD be able to choose between these two or does it has to work through a kind of universal Menue?
Best regards - Christoph

Christoph:
Would a standard DVD be able to choose between these two or does it has to work through a kind of universal Menue?
There is no way to include both standards PAL/NTSC material in the same disc/project.
Alberto

PAL/NTSC DVD's

I recently purchased a 17-inch Intel-based iMac, and i was wondering if it can play DVD's from different countries (Japan in particular), wouold there be a problem with PAL/NTSC TV's??
Thank You

Remember you will only be able to change the Region Code in your computer 5 times. After that it will be locked to the last Region Code you used.
So if you have DVD's from say Japan and the USA, then each has a different Region Code. If you play a USA, then a Japan DVD, that will use up one of your changes, then if you go back to USA then another will be used. Once you use the 5th change your machine will only play discs from the Region Code you last set it to. SO you could only play USA or Japan NOT both.
This has nothing to do with NTSC or PAL as they are not Region Code based.
They are simple the format of the TV signal being output.
If for instance you only ever use Japan DVD's all with the same Region Code then it does not matter if they are PAL or NTSC you can play them as many times as you like, no issue as you swap from one to the other.
Region Codes are there to prevent content from being bought in one region of the world and played in another.
You can read more about Region Codes here :-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVDregioncode
Ian

Apple DVD Player question. Is there is any possibility to play DTS sound?

Sorry for off topic but there is no special discussion on DVD Player issues.
Did anybody knows how to get sound on iBook from DTS track of DVD disk? I mean there is no sound out of speakers when switching DTS sound while playing.
Thanks in advance,
Ivan

Thanks for getting back to me Drew.
Preferences were set to open DVD Player, and it does open upon insertion.
It just doesn't +auto play+ the disc. I have to use File: Open DVD Media and navigate to the Video TS to play it.
However, I do have a third party Dbl Layer burner, attached to the Powerbook.
As a test, I connected it to the G5, selected it with DVDSP for the format, and voila, it now auto plays on both computers.
Perhaps the G5's superdrive just will not play nicely with 16x media... It's the only thing I can think of.
And if so, it's a bummer that the G5's superdrive wont format an autoplay disc with this media, (if that's the issue.) I will post in the G5 forum for some clarity on that. And then find appropriate media for the G5.

Apple DVD Player Question

Hi,
I'm not sure this is the right forum, but you guys are always very helpful.
I need to make the Apple DVD Player basically a kiosk player.
I have a track ball and a button for enter so that is how you navigate the dvd.
I need to make it in full kiosk mode, meaning no controller on screen.
Does anyone know how to turn off the controller so it doesn't pop up?
Thanks,
Dave

You can't disable the controller, but you can drag it out of view.
From to the DVD Player help document (search word: kiosk):
Setting up a movie kiosk
You can set up a computer to show a movie but not allow users to stop it or otherwise control its playback using DVD Player's menus. This is useful, for example, if you want to play a self-running movie in a public booth.
To control movie playback in kiosk mode, you must use the keyboard. If you want, you can remove the keyboard and connect a mouse directly to the computer after the movie is ready to start.
Be sure the DVD Player Controller is also hidden if you do not want viewers to use it.
Users can still select items from the disc menus by using the mouse, but cannot use DVD Player menus because the menu bar is hidden.
1. Choose DVD Player > Preferences, and then click Full Screen.
2. Select the checkbox labeled "Kiosk Mode (disable menu bar)."
3. To control DVD Player in kiosk mode, use the DVD Player keyboard shortcuts.
DVD Player usually ignores your computer's screen saver and sleep settings so full screen playback is not interrupted.
To allow any automatic screen saver or sleep settings to take effect after a period of inactivity, select "Allow Screensaver on DVD menu in kiosk mode" in the Full Screen pane of DVD preferences. To remain in kiosk mode when exiting the screen saver, also select the "Remain in full screen when DVD Player is inactive" preference. Otherwise, DVD Player exits kiosk mode when exiting the screen saver.
MacBook Pro 2.33GHz/2GB RAM/160GB HD/256MB VRAM Mac OS X (10.4) Apple Pro Certified, Final Cut Pro 5-Level 1

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

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

Convert iMovie Project to NTSC for Viewing on DVD Player

I have been trying to find some application (relatively cheap) that will convert an iMovie project to NTSC. I found one on line for $30, but didn't know if anyone had suggestions for a cheaper solution that is realiable. Thanks
PS - If iMovie can do it, PLEASE let me know how because I have looked and I haven't found anything that will let me burn in DVD player format.

Hi
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. (so will other way around too)
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

More on PAL-NTSC

I have been tring to convert PAL-DV to NTSC for some time now from Media 100 8.2.2 through both Compressor & JES.
I have searched most of the posts here in Compressor/DVDSP & Creative Cow.
My problem is that if I export from Media 100 as by-ref file or self contained (which I think are more or less the same). When I drop the file into Compressor, select Advanced Format Conversion DV NTSC, Change the setting under the frame Control tab:-
Frame Controls:Custom
Resize Filter:Better(Liner Filter)
Output Fields:Bottom First
Deinterlace:Better Motion Adaptive
Adaptive Details:Checked
Rate Conversion:Better(Motion Compensated)
I see the file in the batch window then after about 3 or 4 minutes it fails.
In the drop down under failed it says:-
FAILED Codec Not Found.
The only way I can get it to work in Compressor is to export to Other as a QuickTime movie which takes for ever to export.
A 5 minute movie droped into Compressor takes about 12 hours
Is there something I am doing wrong & is there a quicker way?
I have not tried it with FCP yet as I am tring to crack this one first so any help would be greatfull.
I will be exporting to NTSC tape via my Sony DSR-11 and DVD through DVDSP.
Also I am tring to get a NTSC only DVD player & NTSC only
monitor to test my projects with so if any body knows of any resellers in the USA that will export to the UK please can you let me have some details or web site.
I will be back on line hopefully tomorrow night to check any replies.
thanks.
Wiggy.
G4 933 MHz 1GB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Hey Wiggy,
without knowing what type of flavor of media 100 you have, i will go out on a limb and say the SD version.
anyway, looking at your settings, you are creating a very complex conversion. i can understand if the media 100 ref file fails in compressor (not supported by default) and would recommend a QT export of said file.
another thing concerning the time it takes to encode a QT file: remember, you are creating a complex conversion on a laptop that has a internal IDE connection that has to handle the complex algorithm and all the system and software process. if this is what you are limited to then, hey, at least it converts it (albeit rather slow). IF there is a slight chance that you would have an external hard drive solution, then dump your original file there and do all the conversions from there (it will make things go a little faster).
as far as a NTSC DVD player and TV. the dvd player is easy, just purchase a multi-format dvd player, philips seems to make good ones ( i have 2 multi-format players personally) and the TV, try ebay
if anything, you might notice some strobing effects on an NTSC monitor, especially on whites, since the frequency is different (60 hertz v 50 hertz). i get that over here with all my PAL video! remember, this will only be visible on the CRT monitor and will NOT be visible on a computer monitor..
Mikey M.

Highest res 16:9 for NTSC dvd

I am making an i-dvd
it does NOT accept ProRes files!! :/
two questions.. what is the HIGHEST/LOSSLESS quality codec I should be using?
PNG? JPEG?
second question. i am making a regular DVD
but i want it to RESPECT 16:9 framing - meaning that a dvd player will know to scan the image and blow up to 16:9 (vs. black bars at 4:3)
so in respect to this, is there an HD codec that will give me the most resolution possible on a regular NTSC dvd player?
i have FSC 3. but i fear DVD studio pro, since it looks like the cockpit of a 747... im just a single prop pilot, if you know what i mean...
thanks!

I tend to think of contributors to this forum as stuck way out in the prairie somewhere with their Mbps running off an old car battery, working away to the sound of cattle lowing and sheep
bleeting
On the other hand if you are in shouting distance of an Apple store and are a thick
like me, then One to One is unbeatable value and will
sort you out on 90% at least of the problems that come up
here. Even if you can only get in once a month it's a good deal: and I bet Apple can fix it do you can
have more than one session at a time if you
live miles away. And if Apple are Reading this (if!) a box of blank dvds'd come in very handy thank
you!
John

IDVD - PAL - NTSC - REGIONS; All messed up?

So I finished a project on iDVD, and the "clients" are from many different countries... The original project was worked as PAL. In the end, in iDVD I changed the setting to NTSC in order to write 3 disks. 1 for a client in Canada, and 2 for the U.S.
With the Canadian, there were no issues (at least the client didn't mention anything, only that the DVDs were great).
The one American, told me she had to change regions to her laptop DVD in order to watch it, but other than that it was ok.
The other American, could not watch the DVDs on her old windows xp laptop, also not on her DVD player on her Tv. She also went to a store to ask for help and the technician told her he could see the contents of the disk, but not play them; probably because they were not NTSC (!!!!). Finally she watched the DVDs by using VLC on her laptop (no region change here...)
What is going on? The same disks, 3 totally different behaviours...
Can anyone guess what went wrong?
I would really like to fix those problems...
Thank you!

Hi
Region - Should not be any problem - as iDVD only can make Region = Zero (0)
This means - Plays in any economical region (Has Nothing to do With TV-Standard at all)
TV-standard are as:
• 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
And Playback on Computer - should be able to use both - VLC usually works better than QuickTime in these cases. BUT here I noticed that PC/Macs are picky on Quality
• Burn speed I set down to x2 (or x4)
• I only use Verbatim DVDs - NO Memorex or NoName or other cheap brands - Yes it matters
• I use DVD-R as they play on more and even older DVD-players
My notes on this subject.
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

Will PAL dvd player play my NTSC DVD-r?

I'm trying to figure out if I need to convert several NTSC dvd's into PAL format to send to a friend's mom in Israel (she's very sick and would like to see these soon).
Since I've never converted between these formats, I've been doing lots of research and keep getting more confused. I downloaded JES Deinterlacer (i think thats what its called) but I'm not sure I need it since I read the following on an imovie FAQ website:
"I have an NTSC project and want a PAL DVD.
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."
Could this be true? Can I really just send the NTSC dvd's to her? I hate to waste time here...please help...
Thanks so much in advance.
Jenny

That´s right; NTSC DVDs will always work on PAL players when the player is compliant to the DVD specs. Those players do give out the regular NTSC signal and/or convert to PAL60. Some players can even convert to PAL50. The problem is the TV set.
My German TV is 14 years old and cannot handle PAL60 or NTSC; I would need one of those rare players that convert to PAL50 (usually with poor results).
But NTSC DVDs will always work on a PC (when it is an all-region DVD).

PAL/NTSC DVD player question

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