Very best 1080i60 to PAL DVD workflow, please?

Hey guys,
I've been handed some footage shot in HDV1080i60 on a Z1. Trouble is that it was supposed to be shot in 1080i50, because we need to make a PAL DVD at the end of this..
So I'm wondering what, using the FCS2 suite is the best workflow.. I'm thinking of capturing 1080i60 and then converting that to PAL via Compressor using Optical flow..
I don't know if it is better to edit in 1080i60, then convert before going to DVD, or to convert before editing..
Any advice on what would be the ideal workflow would be gratefully appreciated..
Pete

Hmm, yep of course converting the copius quantities of raw footage will take forever. Thanks for the advice on a editing codec..
I was gonna say that yeah while most PAL DVD players will play NTSC, that I cannot deliver on NTSC..
But now I'm thinking that provided it plays on their player they'd never know the difference. (Wedding video)
Maybe I'll send through a draft copy as NTSC & see if they grumble about playability. If not I'll deliver NTSC DVD..
Thanks for the answer..

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HD NTSC to PAL DVD workflow... help?

Hi all,
I poured through the forums regarding this question and could not find a suitable answer. And (of course) I am in a rush for my client.
I have shot and edited a DVCPRO HD 720x60P video, and now I need to get this thing into a PAL DVD.
I tried exporting the video as Apple Pro-Res 422 PAL, and there are problems with the aspect ratio changing, and about 60% of the cross dissolves flash black for a second.
Anyway, after reading through the forums, I realize that I am in the dark for a workflow to get this video out of FCP and into either DVDSP or iDVD (this will be a simple DVD, and iDVD is good enough), and make sure it plays on a DVD player in Scotland.
Any suggestions as to how to best get from point A to point B?
Also, is there no PAL that is close to 16:9?
Sorry for the silly questions... I am out of my comfort zone here... and on the clock.
Matt

From what I understand from my PAL land friends, their current generation DVD players can deal with NTSC disks. Why don't you check with the person who will play it back and see what equipment they have.
You did not say how you did the conversion but I would do this.
• Export a file from FCP using "current settings"
• Import it into Compressor
• Apply the advanced format conversion preset for DV/PAL anamorphic and submit the job
This will give you an 16:9 DV/PAL video.
If this has problems, you may need to do the conversion in two steps.
• Export a file from FCP using "current settings"
• Import it into Compressor
• Apply the advanced format conversion preset for DV/NTSC anamorphic and submit the job
• Import the resulting DV/NTSC anamorphic file into compressor
• Apply the advanced format conversion preset for DV/PAL anamorphic and submit the job
x

Best workflow for footage in 1440x1080 and vid rate 23.98fps going to a PAL DVD player in europe

I am new at this and still getting a grasp of the technical details. I've made several trips to Germany over the last three years and each time have shot using different settings. Right now I am editing the footage from the first year where I shot 1080i and 24p (Canon XHA1). I've already sent some DVDs with films I edited from this trip, but not sure I've achieved the best result that I can in terms of image quality. What i think i've been doing so far is to edit in the original NTSC, and then when i get ready to burn the DVD to send to my relatives in Germany, I have set the Project Info settings in iDVD to PAL. But from reading the boards I am getting the sense that there are multiple ways to do this, each with varying results. Obviously, I'd like to have my German viewers view a DVD with the best quality picture, and am wondering what is the best way to go about this. I've also read on the boards that most PAL dvd players will play NTSC, which makes me wonder if burning the DVD with iDVD set to PAL is necessary. I've already been told by one of my relatives who has viewed the same film here in america (burned as NTSC) and in Germany (one I sent burned as PAL), that the PAL versions did not have as good a picture quality. Any suggestions?
Also, if you knew that your primary audience was going to be PAL viewers, and you are shooting with an NTSC camera, what would the ideal settings be? On my canon xha1, my frame rate options are 60i, 30f, and 24f. My 'comp out' options are 480i and 080i/480i. My understanding is 1080i50 would be better for PAL, but 25fps is not an option on my camera.
Thanks,
Paul

Well it must be 24 over 29.97 then because it is working with it. I have been able to create timelines and export quicktime movies, etc. The item properties (in FCE Browser) of the clips definitely say 23.98fps-- as I would expect because I know I had the camera set to 24p. However, the frame rate of the sequences i've been editing on say 29.97. This is without me having made any conscious effort to manipulate any settings for the sequences at the outset-- I didn't even know the sequences had settings for this when i started. I just began dragging and dropping footage out of the browser and it must have automatically set the sequence to 29.97. Who knows what I had the Easy Set up set to when i brought the footage over from my camera two years ago. I knew even less then. Are the settings on Easy Set up critical when bringing the footage onto your computer from your camera? What processes are the Easy set up settings governing?
Even with all of that said, you would recommend burning the DVD as an NTSC? An NTSC in a new PAL DVD player will look better than an NTSC burned as a PAL? I suppose I could send them both versions and see which one looks better.
Thanks for you help Tom.
P.S.
On the true 24p issue, I did find this:
There are many posts out there about the Canon XH A1 not having "true 24p".
I think much of that misinformation out there maybe stemmed from (correct me if I'm wrong):
Canon Frame Mode on the standard DV cams was a "simulation: of the 24 frame look.
The Canon HDV 24p actually records each single frame progressively, but using an interlaced method.

1080i60 file to PAL dvd

i have a motion based animation. 1920 x 1080 that i need to convert for use in a pal dvd. seems simple, but all i need to do is run it through the 1080i60 PAL preset in compressor (which only changes the fps to 25) and then compress that as a mpeg?
am i missing anything?
macbook pro 2.33 Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Hope you asked us to disregard because you figured it out or got help, not because you're giving up!
There are some excellent white papers (pdfs) on this site about FCP workflows.
One thing to keep in mind is that changing the easy setup will only change the default settings for new elements you create. Existing sequences will keep their original settings, which if you think about it is the way you would want it.
Also, you don't have to make a separate version of the project, you can duplicate the sequenc ein the original project - I find file management easier this way.
Good luck -
Max Average

Outputting NTSC Sequence to PAL DVD at best quality

Hello all,
I am filming in NTSC but want to be able to output my finished sequence to a PAL DVD at the best quality possible. can someone suggest the best practice for this please. I use Premiere and Media Encoder for editing and outputting. Thanks

The PAL DVD player can play both formats, PAL and NTSC. There is hardware in the player to convert NTSC to PAL, so the TV does not need to play both formats, PAL is enough.
Software conversion in PR or other program will always have a hard time to get close or even meet the quality of the hardware converter.

Workflow for dual NTSC and PAL DVD project

Hello,
I am really in need of professional advice here, and any tips would be GREATLY appreciated. I am not an expert in Final Cut Studio, but I am OK to get things done on the project I am working on. Some things, despite cracking through multiple manuals, I can't properly figure out... THANKS AGAIN for any help!
I am working on a DVD project which I want to release in two versions: NTSC version in US, and PAL version for Poland — same content. Content was created using DV-NTSC Quicktime files, made on import from an American mini-DV SONY camcorder into Final Cut Pro. All the titles created in Photoshop were created in 720 x 540 and converted to 720 x 480 for the sequences.
I made one NTSC DVD using Studio Pro, and it seems to work okay, with some minor tweaks. But I really need to know what is the best way to make a PAL DVD with minimal quality loss. I need to set up this project correctly, because I have a **** of a lot of work to do, and I don't want to screw it up by incorrect setup.
So many questions... Should I use separate Final Cut sequence files, with different settings, for each disc? Should I finish my work in sequences with NTSC settings in Final Cut, and then use Compressor to export to PAL from within Final Cut? Really, what is the best workflow for something like this? I would dearly appreciate any advice.
Many thanks!
Rad

First off - you can do this. Finish your work in NTSC. Then go buy the Graeme Natress plug for FCP. http://www.nattress.com/standardsConversion.htm
Download and install the app. THen follow the instructions on his site. It's a short turorial movie and you're done.
Heads up - you'll need to first export NTSC Quicktime files of each of your movies.
Hope this helps.
Brian

DVD Player has started playing PAL DVD's on external PAL display very badly

I have my Early 2006 iMac connected to an external HDTV (Mini-DVI->HDMI)
Using display options I can switch the external display easily between NTSC and PAL refresh rates.
It used to be that apple's DVD player could play a PAL dvd just fine on the display but now the frame rate drifts in and out of sync as though it no longer understands that the TV is set to 50hz.
Although I used to use DVD player all the time I haven't done so for quite some months so I don't know when this started happening although I have a feeling that it was with a recent OS X update.
I say this because a few months ago all of a sudden the same thing happened with Elgato's EyeTV, but they issued a patch sometime later and it fixed the v-sync issue for their app.
I'm also wondering if it may be a de-interlacing issue rather than a v-sync issue but I'm not sure, I've tried various DVD's.
I have tried deleting ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.DVDPlayer but this hasn't helped.
If it's relevant, my iMac has an ATI Radeon X1600
Any ideas why DVD player has started having trouble with 50hz displays and how I might fix it?
Failing that, is there a good (hopefully free) dvd player alternative which is better at handing external displays of varying display modes?
p.s this was the most appropriate forum I could find.

I suggest that you create 15-second silent audio slug that you can use to move the audio the same amount you have moved the video.
John Link

Trouble burning a PAL DVD

Hi, I am having issues with trying to burn PAL DVDs.
We have a distributor that requires PAL DVDs as screeners with & without TC burn.
They required we take our masters (HDCAM, 1920 X 1080, progressive, 23.98 fps) & send it to a post house that could do an Alchemist conversion & make 1080 50i, 25 fps masters on HDCAM.
This was done & we have captured the tape to FCP in a PAL project. Exported out & files went through compressor using DVD Best quality - 90 min template.
Confirmed that files are correct size & speed in inspector.
In DVDSP i set the project up as PAL.
There are no menus - just the program with 5-6 chapter markers.
PAL DVD was created as region free.
When we check the DVD on a region free deck the playback is very jerky.
Have tried playback tests with commercial PAL DVDs & they play back fine.
Anybody have any idea what I might be doing wrong?
Using a 12 core macpro with FCS 3
If you need more detail please let me know .
THANKS.

Russ: Converting the standard is not an option through Compressor as they absolutely need the timing to be the same. I am the post person, so it is not my call. The producer's have determined that this what they have to do (right or wrong). I can do a test with the master file in compressor to see if I get better results, but it is something that I cannot deliver.
Nick: Again it is not my call. I have pointed it out to the producers & was told that is not acceptable to them. So it is my hoop to jump through. I have told them about the NTSC DVDs vs PAL & their response is that is not acceptable. We don't need worry about DVD replication anymore as all of our sales will become either digital, or delivery through this means by the distributor from the HDCAM 50i masters & using the PAL DVDs as reference.
Michael: We are monitoring the video from FCP with an AJA KONA 3G card to a broadcast monitor thru SDI (dont remeber the exact model - think it is a panasonic monitor). I will try your test as well, but I think that if I can't get the DVDs to work the way they want them then they are going to get the post house that made the 50i masters to make the PAL DVDs for them as well. They would rather not do this as all I am told is it is expensive, so they would rather not. If it comes to it, and it might based on our deadline, then they will go that route if they feel forced to.
Thanks to all three of you for the suggestions.

HDV to NTCS DVD works... is it the same for a PAL DVD?

Hello
I created a DVD from HDV material using these settings with compressor:
http://www.larryjordan.biz/articles/bkhdvconvert.html
basicallythe options are: DVD Best Quality 90 min 16:9
Video Format Tab in the Inspector to manually set filed dominance to "botom first"
It worked fine.
Now i need to create a PAL DVD. what would i need to change?
just set the video format to PAL in the inspector window? and then in DVD studio pro set it to PAL again?
thanks.
Leon.
thanks.

let me see if I can help out a little here.
The problem with converting 1080i to SD in software is that FCP seems to do a not-very-good job of downsampling the image, particularly when you are going directly to DV. Details get blurry, and other compression artifacts become quite noticeable. I have also experienced trouble with the HDV fields not getting processed correctly if I go to SD mpeg directly from an HDV timeline or movie file.
Your best bet is one of the following workflows:
Export a 1080i HDV or AIC movie file and re-import to FCP. Place this clip into an anamorphic SD sequence. It doesn't matter if the sequence is DV or Uncompressed if you send the sequence directly to Compressor from FCP, because this will ignore any rendered material and use an uncompressed image buffer as it encodes the mpeg. Do not letterbox your widescreen video if you are going to DVD - widescreen DVD video should always be full-frame anamorphic.
Your other option is to attempt to use Compressor to down-res the sequence or a self-contained movie of your HDV, starting with one of the advnace format conversion presets in Compressor. However, you'll have to cutstomize the preset by turning on the frame controls, and testing the settings to make sure you are happy with the result. Turning on frame controls will increase the ratio of your encoding time anywhere from 4 to 20:1.
I have tried all of these methods, and none of them look as good as capturing the downconverted video from the deck after mastering to HDV tape.
Hope this helps -
Max Average

How to produce a progressively encoded PAL DVD?

I've been tearing my hair out trying to get a conclusive answer to this. I'm trying to learn how to produce a PAL DVD that is encoded "progressively" and is not interlaced.
First I posted about it here in the Compressor forum, and then over at Ken Stone's forum.
To summarise , here's what I've been doing:
1. Export from FCP using Compressor
2. Apply the DVD preset
3. In the Inspector window, click the Frame Controls tab
4. Set the Resize Filter to Better or Best
5. Set Output fields to Progressive
6. Set Deinterlace to Better or Best
7. Uncheck Adaptive Details
8. Hit Submit and give your job a name
9. Import .m2v and .ac3 to DVD Studio Pro
10. Author and burn DVD
However, this is not producing a proper progressive encode - inspecting the .m2v asset (using VidoSpec) tells me that it is "lower field first."
Can anybody please advise? This is driving me crazy, and each time we issue a DVD reviewers pick up on the fact that it is not "flagged for progressive". Is this something that needs setting up as an option in DVDSP?

I need to read up about this topic also. I release Retail DVDs and have always shot in interlaced mode and released that way up until now
Now I am doing my first proper feature. I am advised to shoot progressive scan.
I am assuming from this thread that to produce commercial DVD that will play on all TVs and with all DVD players I will need to encode the final film to DVDStudio pro in Interlaced mode. (in other words in order to be played on all TVs the DVD needs to be interlaced not progressive scan. But to achieve a "Film Look" I need to shoot progressive. (I have not yet considered whether 24 fps or 25)
The film is aimed at a wide film fest, probably using a digital print, but I doubt we will get as far as transferring from High Def video to film (because of the expense) But I imaging the major market for the film internationally will be on DVD.
I am hoping to use a DOP, so hopefully will get more technical help there.
Best
Ian
Corolo Film & Video

What is the best video converter for DVD to iMovie? Either free or to purchase.

What is the best video converter for DVD to iMovie? Either free or to purchase. And one that is 'fool-proof' and very easy to use. Many thanks, anyone who can advise.

You want to 'reverse engineer' the compressed mpeg2 DVD file back to something iMovie can use?
You need to convert the VOB files in the TS-Folder of the DVD back to DV which iMovie is designed to handle. For that you need mpegStreamclip:
http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html
which is free, but you must also have the Apple mpeg2 plugin :
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/
(unless you are running Lion in which case see below))
which is a mere $20.
Another possibility is to use DVDxDV:
http://www.dvdxdv.com/NewFolderLookSite/Products/DVDxDV.overview.htm
which costs $25.
For the benefit of others who may read this thread:
Obviously the foregoing only applies to DVDs you have made yourself, or other home-made DVDs that have been given to you. It will NOT work on copy-protected commercial DVDs, which in any case would be illegal.
And from the TOU of these forums:
Keep within the Law
No material may be submitted that is intended to promote or commit an illegal act.
Do not submit software or descriptions of processes that break or otherwise ‘work around’ digital rights management software or hardware. This includes conversations about ‘ripping’ DVDs or working around FairPlay software used on the iTunes Store.
If you are running Lion:
From the MPEG Streamclip homepage
The installer of the MPEG-2 Playback Component may refuse to install the component in Lion. Apple states the component is unnecessary in Lion, however MPEG Streamclip still needs it.
To install the component in Lion, please download MPEG Streamclip 1.9.3b7 beta above; inside the disk image you will find the Utility MPEG2 Component Lion: use it to install the MPEG-2 Playback Component in Lion. The original installer's disk image (QuickTimeMPEG2.dmg) is required.
The current versions of MPEG Streamclip cannot take advantage of the built-in MPEG-2 functionality of Lion. For MPEG-2 files you still need to install the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component, which is not preinstalled in Lion. You don't have to install QuickTime 7.

Burning PAL dvd from NTSC FCP 6 project?

I need to burn a European market PAL dvd sample from a NTSC project. I've done this before for a European film festival, but it was a very hit or miss process.. Basically, back then, I mixed the project down as both PAL and NTSC files, then burned every combination of NTSC and PAL format DVDs (PAL file/PAL dvd format, NTSC file/PAL dvd format, PAL file NTSC format, and NTSC file/NTSC format).. I expected the PAL/PAL to work, but it didn't. In fact, I seem to remember that one of the combos that I least expected to work actually did.. maybe the NTSC/PAL disk (can't remember for sure)
Will someone please advise me as to the correct way to burn the NTSC project, such that it will be playable an European PAL format machines?

If you need a true PAL dvd, you need to convert your ntsc quicktime to a PAL quicktime using either compressor or something like graeme Natrresses standard conversion plug in. You will also need to recreate your dvd menus and reauthor the dvd.

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).

Creating a PAL DVD from NTSC Video camcorder

Can the latest version of iMovie create a PAL DVD from NTSC Video camcorder? What are best practices and workflow to create a PAL DVD from NTSC sources.

iMovie doesn't create DVDs, iDVD does..
in iM's prefs, set Video to 30fps = NTSC
quit and relaunch to take changes in effect
in iDVD's prefs, set Video to 25fps = PAL
quit and relaunch to take changes in effect
when finished with editing in iM, Share to Mediabrowser
in iDVD, select a theme, grab movies from Mediabrowser
burned DVD will be PAL ..

Making PAL dvd from NTSC movie

I have all my DVD assets in NTSC, and I produced a good quality NTSC DVD. I have been asked from relative to make PAL DVD. I have converted the sequences to PAL.
My question is . Do I have to convert also to PAL the IDV menu, the shot picture in the menu, and the Itunes in the menu.
If your aswer is yes! - How can I do that? I am using Mac G5 final cut pro 4. Your help is appreciated
Thanks
Moussa

My sequence is already converted to PAL.
1. When I recreate the menu. Do I have to convert the menu to PAL?
2. When I recreate the picture shot background to the menu. Do I have to convert the still picture also to PAL, before importing?
3. When I imported the music to background/Menu. The music is too loud. Can I lower the volume from the menu?
4. When I convert my sequence from NTSC to PAL. How can I know that my new sequence turned to be PAL? (I am using MPEG Streamclip) When I went to get info on the new sequence, there is no sign if the sequence is PAL or NTSC.
Please help. This is very confusing
thanks
moussa

Very best 1080i60 to PAL DVD workflow, please?

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