Workflow for converting NTSC to PAL with Premiere/AME

Hi everyone,
After searching the forums, I see that to convert NTSC to PAL for standard def DVD, most recommend using Canopus Procoder software for the MPEG2 encoding, or using a hardware based solution. I don't have the money for those options, so I was hoping you could clear up something for me. Which of these options is best?:
Option #1: import the NTSC footage into Premiere and edit on a NTSC timeline with settings matching the original footage. Then use Adobe Media Encoder to encode a PAL format MPEG2 file for the standard def DVD.
Option #2: import the NTSC footage into Premiere and edit on a timeline set up with PAL resolution and framerate settings, and simply scale up the NTSC footage to match the larger PAL resolution. Then use Adobe Media Encoder to encode a PAL format MPEG2 file for the standard def DVD.
Thanks for the help!!
Mike
Intel i7-930 2.8GHz
12 GB RAM
1 GB VRAM
Adobe CS 5

pal to ntsc is not quite the same as ntsc to pal.
pal has more scanlines and there for makes a better end result to ntsc than ntsc to pal.
Usually ntsc converted to pal does not look very good on a tv.
That's why i recommend to leave it in ntsc, most pal players can be switched to ntsc.

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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)

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

Best workflow for converting NTSC tv show to PAL?

The company I work for edits a TV show in DVCPRO HD 1080i60. We distribute it to a station in Europe, and for about a year we've sent them the programs on DVCAM tape, 16:9 letterbox, NTSC, rendered in a 720x480 sequence, 29.97 fps. I figured they took care of the process of switching it PAL since they never asked us to do anything differently.
Well now they have. Now any tape we send them needs to be in 16:9 anamorphic and PAL.
In regards to the first issue, changing to 16:9 anamorphic seems as simple as clicking the Anamorphic check box in the sequence settings. But the PAL issue has me stumped. An engineer friend told me that all I should have to do is print the program to a PAL DVCAM deck, and that should do the trick. So my thinking is that I export the program as a DVCPRO HD Quicktime file, put that into a PAL 16:9 anamorphic sequence, and print to tape using a PAL deck.
Anything I'm missing? Is it as simple as that or more complicated? Any thoughts are welcome.
jesse.

Sorry fellow Missoulian, it is NOT that simple. FCP doesn't convert the frames rates properly...the proper pulldown removal, frame rate conversion does not happen well in FCP. If you have Avid 4.0...it would. That version does this VERY well. BUT, we are talking FCP.
Best option, output NTSC and send to a dub house to have the conversion done on proper machinery. Bill the client for this dub...unless it is part of the deliverable and therefore part of the money they pay you. If they changed the deliverable to require this conversion, then they should be then paying more money so that you can have this conversion done right.
Second best option, export a self contained QT file, and use Compressor to do the conversion, frame settings set to FULL. The drawback? This takes a LOT of time. And you will have to do tests to see if it looks right, and adjust settings to match.
ME? I send it out of house to be dubbed. But you are in Missoula where that doesn't exist, and finding someone with a KONA/DECKLINK/MATROX card is a challenge.
Shane

Converting NTSC to PAL?

I made a video, NTSC all around. Quicktimes made in After Effects. Edited the Quicktimes in FCP. Made the DVD in DVD Studio Pro.
Now I have to send a ccopy of the DVD to someone in Australia.
Is there an easy way to convert this to PAL?

Guys: I used to recomend JES too. But... let's see: The assets JES Deinterlacer has are: 1) it's free 2) it's really fast.
The free part is amazing. But if you already paid for DVD SP/FCS/DVD SP that advantage doesn't really matter, right?
Let me modestly shed some light about Compressor 2's amazing, high tech conversion capabilities.
It basically has three conversion ceilings:
1) Frame controls OFF: pure destruction, like any non conversion enabled video application.
2) Frame controls set to Custom and Frame rate conversion set to Frame blending. Just as good and fast as JES Deinterlacer, but with all the added functionality built into Compressor. Including image post-processing, chapter markers, cluster rendering, etc.
3) Frame controls set to Custom and Frame Rate conversion set to Motion Compensated or High Quality Motion Compensated: Conversion quality here is second to no other sofware application, really approaching hardware level conversions. The results prduced by the high tech, Optical Flow approach is stunning. And it's not just PAL NTSC. It can do beautiful HD up or downconversions, and progressive interlaced (the frame size and field parameters in Frame controls are the key for those...).
Yes, it may take days to do all of this, but for special cases that are worth it (or short pieces) it's amazing. And, of course, you have now the Quad core Mac Pro, and/or distributed encoding among different Macs that you may already own. This may make a conversion go from a couple of days to a few hours.
Don't take my word. Go and try the different transcoding settings I mentioned.
Finally, while Compressor will transcode standards and do MPEG-2 encoding in a single job, that's completely unpractical. A 2 pass VBR will take twice as long to transcode. The best workflow is to first transcode, then encode.
Hope this helps.
Adolfo Rozenfeld
Buenos Aires - Argentina
Power Mac G5 Dual 1.8 Ghz (PCI-X) | MacBook Pro 2.0 Mac OS X (10.4.7) 2 GB RAM, ATI Radeon 9600 (G5) | X1600 256 MB (MBP)

Converting NTSC to PAL in CS5, the audio is out of sync-too slow. What do I need to adjust?

Hi. I had to purchase a new Sony video camera in USA (NTSC 29.9fps). We are PAL, so most of my holiday movie is PAL 16:9 widescreen. When I imported the clips from the NTSC camera, I converted the clips to PAL 25fps but the audio is out of sync and appears to be too slow. eg. a male voice is high pitched and not quite audible. Is it the 'bit rate' difference causing the problem and if so, how do I change that in CS5? The PAL clips off my old camera are imported as MPG files. The new camera files are MTS. I am not sure if this is important but would appreciate some help. Thanks.

Adobe doesn't have any tools that perform adequate NTSC<=>PAL conversions, in my view. You may be better off creating a separate video for the NTSC stuff, keeping it as NTSC. Your player should be able to handle it fine.

Converting NTSC to PAL without dropping frames... possible?

Hi Guys,
I am trying to convert some footage from NTSC to PAL in FCP, now I have managed to do it in a way that stops the image being distorted but I have yet to find a way to convert without getting slightly noticeable jumping (which I can only assume is down to the 4/5 dropped frames). Is there any way of doing so or does the footage need to be sent off to a specialist?
Cheers!

Get Nattress Standards Converter. It really is the best way to go. Very quick and with fantasic results.
In that thread that Bogie indicated, it took me 30 min to capture and convert the footage...this with 15 min of material ( I used 10 seconds)
Shane
"There's no need to fear, UNDERDOG is here!"

Workflow for converting SonyHD Cam footage via KonaLHe to DVCPro HD?

Hi,
I've got a project starting tomorrow and the producer had to switch cameras the day before the shoot! They are now brining in Sony HDCam 1080psf 23.98 (don't know the camera). I've rented an HD Cam deck with SDI out (no FW). I have the Kona LHe so SDI input will be fine. The project is destined for digibeta 29.97 SD so I'm trying to figure out a good workflow for capture and editing. To keep file bandwidth down, I think DVCPro HD is a good solution, but I'm not sure where or how the conversion takes place using the Kona LHe and FCP. Do I set the Kona frame buffer to DVCPro HD 720p @ 23.98 and set capture settings the same in Final Cut? Or, as I have the internal RAID space, just capture native 1080, edit native, then convert the program to 29.97 window 16x9 at the end of the edit? Clarifications, recommendations and comments welcomed! Tnanks!

Conversion is done in FCP. But all you have to do is connect it to the Kona via HD SDI and set the capture settings in FCP. The signal coming in from the card is the full signal, you are just telling FCP in which format to save that signal as. And DVCPRO HD 1080p24 would be the setting. I doubt your internal RAID could handle uncompressed 1080p HD.
Shane

Pitch Change fix for 24p NTSC to PAL Conversion

Anyone here have a decent tutorial for Audacity or Soundtrack Pro to fix 4% pitch change caused from 24p NTSC to PAL conversion? I don't have Protools. Thanks!
Alexander

In the Project tab of STP (top left pane) there is an Audio PullUp/PullDown menu. You should find the preset you need in there.

Workflow for converting PAL DVD to NTSC

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

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

Convert 24FPS NTSC to PAL with 4% time change?

I have a 24fps HD master and I've produced NTSC SD DVDs from this using Compressor. Now, for submission to a festival in Europe, I need to generate a PAL DVD. I would be very happy to do this as a frame for frame transfer and have the overall speed/running time slightly altered, RATHER than have the software (final cut or compressor?) try to interpolate my 24 frames into 25 frames per second.
I can't find any doc with Compressor that clarifies whether this is possible.

Jim, I'm out of my knowledge base here, but the forum seems to be semi-functional today, so here's my thought...
IIRC, many European DVD players will read NTSC DVD's. (I'm sure others will clarify this if I'm wrong) This is not to say you should rely on that as a solution.
I've seen this discussed here previously, so try searching the forum while you're waiting for better info.
K

What is best workflow for interpret NTSC footage into PAL project?

Premier Pro CC cutting a film for HD broadcast TV. Majority of footage shot PAL at 1080p, so I made a 1920 x 1080 25p project. Is it okay to make a progressive project for broadcast? Or should I switch to interlaced?
I am supposed to deliver an NTSC tape to the network.
Some footage is 29.97 and 23.97. Is it okay to Interpret footage in bin as 25p PAL and then cut it into my sequence. It seems to play properly; I'm just concerned about problems in the final output. I've read that people duplicate the clip, then interpret to 25fps PAL, and leave the original NTSC alone. This sounds like a good idea. Working on a MacBook Pro Mountain Lion.
When I output the final QT movie, what are the best settings and codec to use for the final
Hi-Res output which I will bring on a drive to a post house to do final CC and layback to tape?
Many thanks in advance.
Patrice Shannon

Convert NTSC <--> PAL http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1209530 may help

Converting NTSC to PAL, 720x540?

Another conversion question...
I'm authoring an old movie that seems to be 720x540 NTSC 29,970 (for some reason MediaInfo think it's 720x480 but it doesn't look like it when i watch it on my computer). It's going to be distributed around Europe so my question is: do i need to convert the sucker into PAL (and in that case how do i do that?) or do all DVD players play NTSC nowadays? What would you have done?

Ok, cool! Is that so even for people with say a 5 year old dvd player? I've noticed that dvd stores print warnings about NTSC DVD's.

Converting ntsc to pal using sonyzu1 to sonyfx1e

hi,i have a job ,all tapes in ntsc,i need the final edit to be pal,
does anyone know if i can convert the tapes,playing them on the z-1,connecting through a firewire to a fx1.
or should i do the project with the ntsc settings in fcp and print the final edit to tape then get a conversion job done at a company?
any help appreciated
cheers
simon

startchoppin,
It seems like your question was answered. Now is the time to award points to your benefactor and mark the thread "Answered".
New Discussions Responses
The new system for discussions asks that after you mark your question as Answered, you take the time to mark any posts that have aided you with the helpful tag and the post that provided your answer with the "star", "solved" tag. This not only gives points to the posters, but points anyone searching for answers to similar problems to the proper posts.
If we use the forums properly they will work well...
LM
PBG4 17", 1.67 GHz, 2 GB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.6) Tiger 4.7, 4 external hard drives (2 Seagates @ 350 + GB), 3 firewire. 1 USB
PBG4 17", 1.67 GHz, 2 GB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.6) Tiger 4.7, 4 external hard drives (2 Seagates @ 350 + GB), 3 firewire. 1 USB

Converting ntsc to pal-sound

hey there,
i work on a program where half of the episodes is in ntsc and the other in pal.
to be able to broadcast it (in germany), it has to be converted into pal. we get this done by a local post facility.
so the picture will (hopefully!!) not be a problem.
but now i have to set up a timeline in pal for the converted cut and somehow get my mixed audio tracks
in there too. i have 4 tracks for the original clipsounds (sorry don't know what you call this in english),
2 tracks for voice over and 4 tracks for music. pretty standard i guess.
whats the best way to do this. i was told, the converted pal video will have the same length than the original ntsc cut.
the cut is 29:03:24
as i need the sound cut in my new pal sequence, the only way i can think of is to copy and paste it from the ntsc sequence
into a new pal sequence. but that doesn't seem to be right. the total length has changed to 29:02:01 and there are 1 frame gaps
here and there. although the music tracks don't seem to be affected by that, (i guess because they don't really have a framerate??)
but it's still a mess and to short.
i get the converted video tomorrow and i have to process it really quick. so if it's true that the total length will not change, then i have
a real big problem because my sound will be to short and i have 1 frame gaps that i have to fill up!
now i hope that you people can tell me how to fix it!?!
pleeaase, i am not familiar with this 29,97 drop frame stuff!!!
thanks a lot.
andy

i tried that. it's actually the same result (lengthwise) you get, when you export an AIFF straight out
of FCP. but interessting enough, the file is still 5 frames shorter!
but anyway, i was hoping to get my actual sound edit into the new pal timeline, as i have to still
fiddle arround with it - insert VOs, dip music, create clean feeds and stuff like that.
so i basically need my sound edit with all tracks and clips in it, in a pal sequence, in sync with the converted video. :-)
is that possible?? does an OMF do that job? i know FCP can't open OMFs, but it sounds so right...
thanks for your help.
my sequence settings by the way are DV NTSC 29,97fps 720x480
sorry didn't get what you mean with the last sentence
andy

Workflow for converting NTSC to PAL with Premiere/AME

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