PAL AVI 2 NTSC DVD Help Needed

[jamesbond1960]

I'd like someone to help me convert PAL Avi (25fps) source to NTSC Dvd. I have almost all the tools, eg. BeSweet GUI, GoldWave, TMPGenc, VirtualDub, and TMPGenc Dvd Author. I have read most of the guides but they focus on VCD and SVCD. Steps I've taken thus far. Strip the wave file from the AVI then use BeSweet's Pal to NTSC conversion and convert to MP2 so doing the audio isn't a problem the problem comes in that I don't know how to do the video. So I'd like some help, specificly on what settings to use.

Also if someone could help me with another issue 23.976 avi file to Dvd. Please I need details. I have been making VCDs for over a year now flawlessly but I'm new at doing Dvds......Thanks in advance

[Poplar]

I personally think the best and appropriate way to do PAL-NTSC conversion is through Avisynth. I took some test on VirtualDub's frame rate change functions and found them not very good for the task. As for TMPG's built-in conversion filter, I don't think it's that good, although I might be wrong on this. I almost never use TMPG. But the method I use might work with TMPG.

Get yourself newest Avisynth (2.52) and install it.

Open an text editor and write following script:

AVISource("path:\movie.avi")
LanczosResize(720,480)
ChangeFPS(29.97)

Save it with AVS extension and load it into TMPG. Encode video only and then mux video and audio together. I assume the clip is frame based and in YUY2 color space.

As for 23.97 fps AVI, just encode as it is and then do a 3:2 pulldown on it.

Hope it helps.

[themichael]

AVISynth works great but use this script to convert PAL to NTSC Film. Found it quite some time ago (near end of 2002). Written by Xesdeeni2001. I have used it ot convert some PAL TV shows for burning on DVD. Use Virtual dub to save the audio, turn the audio off, and frameserve it to your mpeg encoder. Use Cool Edit/BeSweet/etc. to change the audio.

Even though it says interlaced, I have used it to convert progressive input to interlaced output. Looked better than any method I've tried so far.

######################################################################
#
# Poor man's video standards conversion (NTSC to PAL and PAL to NTSC)
#
# This script converts one INTERLACED video format to another
# INTERLACED video format.
#
# NOTE: This script is NOT meant to convert telecined films (that is,
# films that have been transferred to video).  There are much better
# ways to convert that type of content (see the guides at
# www.doom9.net and www.vcdhelp.com).  This script is best for
# INTERLACED content like HOME MOVIES shot with camcorders or live
# events.  It is also good for mixed content (film + video).
#
#---------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# >>> Tools <<<
#
# This script is for use with AVISynth version 2.0.6 or above,
# available from http://www.avisynth.org.
#
# This script uses my AVISynth port of Gunnar Thalin's smooth
# deinterlacer, which is available at
# http://home.bip.net/gunnart/video/A...hDeinterlacer/.
# Place the plugin in an AVISynth plugin directory, so it can be
# accessed below.
#
#---------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# For comments/suggestions email me (Xesdeeni2001) at Yahoo dot com.
#
######################################################################
#
# >>> How It Works <<<
#
# This script works by first converting the input video from
# interlaced fields to progressive frames using an adaptive
# deinterlacer.  Then the progressive frame rate is converted.
# Finally the progressive frames re-interlaced for output.  Scaling
# is also performed where appropriate.
#
######################################################################
#
# >>> To Use <<<
#
# To use this script, first modify the lines below as specified.
# Then save the script with any name ending in .AVS.
#
#---------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# Set PluginPath equal to the path for your AVISynth plugins. Be sure
# to end the path with a backslash.  Note that if you put the plugins
# in the system directory, you can leave this path completely empty.
# ex.:
#   PluginPath = "C:\AVISynth\PlugIns\"
#

PluginPath = ""

#---------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# Set Input equal to the load directive for the input file.  Also add
# any plugins necessary to load the video file.  Note that if the clip
# contains audio, it is fed straight through without being modified,
# because the output video will have the same length as the input
# video.
# ex.:
#   LoadPlugin(PluginPath + "MPEG2DEC.dll")
#   Input = MPEG2Source("Input.mpg")
#

Input = AVISource("E:\temp\LiveTest.avi")

#---------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# Set InputTopFieldFirst to either true or false, depending on the
# format of your input file.  DV files are normally bottom field
# first, so set this value to false.  DVDs and most other sources are
# normally top field first, so set this value to true.
#

InputTopFieldFirst = false

#---------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# Set OutputFrameRate to the desired frame rate of your output video.
# For PAL, this is normally 25.  For NTSC, this is normally 29.97.
# The input frame rate is derived directly from the input video.
#

OutputFrameRate = 25

#---------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# Set the OutputWidth and OutputHeight to the desired width and
# height of your output video.  In most cases, the width of the
# output should match the width of the input.  For PAL, the height
# is normally 576.  For NTSC, the height is normally 480.  The input
# width and height are derived from the input video.
#

OutputWidth = Input.width
OutputHeight = 576

#---------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# Set OutputTopFieldFirst to either true or false, depending on the
# desired format of your output file.  See InputTopFieldFirst above.
#

OutputTopFieldFirst = true

#---------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# Set ConversionType to your desired type of frame rate conversion.
# The choices are:
#   0 - Replication/Decimation: Frames are repeated to increase the
#       frame rate; frames are dropped to decrease the frame rate.
#       This type of conversion is the fastest, but may show visible
#       stuttering on motion when decreasing the frame rate (i.e.
#       NTSC to PAL).
#   1 - Temporally Interpolate: Output frames are created by
#       temporally interpolating between adjacent input frames.  This
#       type of conversion can show a "jutter" effect on motion, but
#       is best when decreasing the framerate to ensure every input
#       frame is at least partially shown in the output.
#   2 - Asynchronous:  The conversion is done by showing the
#       portions of the input frames that correspond to the time
#       during which the output frame is visible.  When decreasing
#       the frame rate, this can cause some areas of some frames to
#       never be seen, and can cause "broken" vertical edges on
#       horizontal pans.
#

ConversionType = (OutputFrameRate <= Input.framerate) ? 1 : 0

#
######################################################################

LoadPlugin(PluginPath + "SmoothDeinterlacer.dll")

vpro = Input.SmoothDeinterlace(tff=InputTopFieldFirst, \
                               doublerate=true)
vinfps = Input.framerate < OutputFrameRate              ? \
         vpro.BilinearResize(OutputWidth, OutputHeight) : \
         vpro
vfps = ConversionType == 2 ?                               \
       vinfps.ConvertFPS(OutputFrameRate * 2, zone = 80) : \
       ConversionType == 1 ?                               \
       vinfps.ConvertFPS(OutputFrameRate * 2) :            \
       vinfps.ChangeFPS(OutputFrameRate * 2)
voutfps = OutputFrameRate <= Input.framerate             ? \
          vfps.BilinearResize(OutputWidth, OutputHeight) : \
          vfps
vfields = voutfps.SeparateFields()
vlace = OutputTopFieldFirst          ? \
        vfields.SelectEvery(4, 1, 2) : \
        vfields.SelectEvery(4, 0, 3)
# The ConvertToRGB() below is to work around a problem with the YUV to
# RGB conversion caused by a bug in one of the Microsoft DLLs.  The
# bug makes the colors look bad.  Your destination may bypass this
# conversion, so you may be able to remove this conversion in some
# cases.
vout = vlace.Weave().ConvertToRGB()
return(vout)

Mike

[FulciLives]

I personally think the best and appropriate way to do PAL-NTSC conversion is through Avisynth. I took some test on VirtualDub's frame rate change functions and found them not very good for the task. As for TMPG's built-in conversion filter, I don't think it's that good, although I might be wrong on this. I almost never use TMPG. But the method I use might work with TMPG.

Get yourself newest Avisynth (2.52) and install it.

Open an text editor and write following script:

AVISource("path:\movie.avi")
LanczosResize(720,480)
ChangeFPS(29.97)

Save it with AVS extension and load it into TMPG. Encode video only and then mux video and audio together. I assume the clip is frame based and in YUY2 color space.

As for 23.97 fps AVI, just encode as it is and then do a 3:2 pulldown on it.

Hope it helps.

Most AVI files are PROGRESSIVE (since I am assuming we are talking DivX or Xvid here) so you should change the FPS of the original to 23.976fps not 29.97fps and encode it as a PROGRESSIVE source.

You then run the audio through BeSweet and use the PRE-SET settings for PAL (25fps) to NTSC (23.986fps). Now the audio will match with the video.

As for the progressive thing I use TMPGEnc and when you input a progressive source it will automatically set up for 3:2 pulldown (when using the WIZARD mode).

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[jamesbond1960]

Thanks Guys but I'm still a little lost. Here are some specifics.
I have a DivX file 25fps 640X480. So should I 1st strip the audio using virtual dub, convert that audio using BeSweet. Then I have to use some sort of script with a program I never used. Sorry guys but that's a little over my head. But I'd love to learn can someone show me a step by step, from scratch. I'll go out and find AVIsynth 2.52 now but if there is an easier way.........

And as for the other problem Divx/XViD 23.976fps I got that no problem there.

Again Thanks all but this pal thing really has me stumped....

[FulciLives]

Thanks Guys but I'm still a little lost. Here are some specifics.
I have a DivX file 25fps 640X480. So should I 1st strip the audio using virtual dub, convert that audio using BeSweet. Then I have to use some sort of script with a program I never used. Sorry guys but that's a little over my head. But I'd love to learn can someone show me a step by step, from scratch. I'll go out and find AVIsynth 2.52 now but if there is an easier way.........

Again Thanks all but this pal thing really has me stumped....

With DivX it is actually very simple since the DivX format is almost always progressive.

1.) Load your video in VirtualDub (I use VirtualDubMod just use whatever you are comfortable with)

2.) Save the AUDIO to a WAV file

3.) Use BeSweet to create a new WAV using the PRE-SET audio frame-rate change of PAL (25fps) to NTSC (23.976fps)

4.) Deselect the AUDIO in VirtualDub. Set the VIDETO to DIRECT STREAM COPY. Set the frame frate to 23.976fps and SAVE AVI. This will save a new copy of the DivX without sound but it will now be 23.976fps and it will OTHERWISE be an exact copy since you are using DIRECT STREAM COPY mode. In other words there is no loss in quality.

5.) Use the NTSC DVD template WIZARD MODE in TMPGEnc and load the new DivX video only file as the VIDEO source and load the new WAV you made with BeSweet as your AUDIO source. For VIDEO ARANGE METHOD pick FULL SCREEN (KEEP ASPECT RATIO) or FULL SCREEN (KEEP ASPECT RATIO 2). If your DivX was widescreen (such as 640x272) then either of those options will work correctly. It will also work with a full screen source (in this case 640x480).

6.) Remember when using the DVD template in TMPGEnc you can use 720x480 or 352x480. I often like to use Half D1 (352x480) because it looks good and encodes faster at a lower bitrate. For instance you can easily get away with a CBR of 3500kbps and get pretty darn good quality. I don't like to use CBR with full D1 (720x480) unless I can do 6000kbps which isn't always a good case. Of course I have a SLOW computer so I try to avoid 2 pass VBR when I can (I do use it sometimes) hence my reason for using half D1 (352x480) more often than full D1 (720x480). Please note that a DivX with a width of 640 will "stretch" out just fine to 720x480 so that really isn't a concern if you want to use full D1 resolution.

That's it.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
The "tricky" part will be getting the AUDIO WAV file from the DivX. This sometimes (depending on how the audio was encoded) can be "tricky" in my experience.

[jamesbond1960]

FulciLives Thanks a ton. Looks like you are onto something that I think I can understand. I do have one question though. You did say

"P.S.
The "tricky" part will be getting the AUDIO WAV file from the DivX. This sometimes (depending on how the audio was encoded) can be "tricky" in my experience"

What did you mean by that? I have never experianced a problem extracting audio from a DivX file. I sometimes get the message that it has encountered an improper VBR in the audio but it never seems to be a problem when extracting to wave.

Thanks again for your help. I will try this method right now and let you know how it turned out.....

Archie

[FulciLives]

FulciLives Thanks a ton. Looks like you are onto something that I think I can understand. I do have one question though. You did say

"P.S.
The "tricky" part will be getting the AUDIO WAV file from the DivX. This sometimes (depending on how the audio was encoded) can be "tricky" in my experience"

What did you mean by that? I have never experianced a problem extracting audio from a DivX file. I sometimes get the message that it has encountered an improper VBR in the audio but it never seems to be a problem when extracting to wave.

Thanks again for your help. I will try this method right now and let you know how it turned out.....

Archie

I downloaded an AVI once from KaZaA and it was PAL but the AUDIO was giving me problems in that although I could get VirtualDubMod to extract it to a WAV file I couldn't get BeSweet to convert the WAV without giving errors. I was able to convert to MPEG-2 but I had to leave it as a PAL MPEG-2 because the audio just didn't want to work with BeSweet for the frame-rate change. This is a problem I've never had when working with a PAL DVD as a source so I think the problem was the way the AUDIO was created for the AVI file.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
Did you try it and if so how did it work?

[jamesbond1960]

John "FulciLives" It worked like a charm and I thank-you. I have a buddy living in Europe who have a huge Dvd collection and He ripped the file (Pretty Woman) and compressed it to DivX. It was excellent quality. Ok so to make a long story short he sent it to me and then I tried to put it on Dvd but had the problem, which thanks to you, now is solved. I do though notice that during playback the video sometimes "snags" but the audio stays in sync. I'm going to check the source again tonight and see if its the source or was it due to virtual dub slowing the video down. In any case I think I prefer the snags every now and then than to watch lips move completely off sync.

Oh and by the way I also had a similar problem once with a troublesome audio file. So instead of extracting it with virtual dub and then using BeSweet I extracted it using gold wave and then BeSweet and POOF no problem. I think that Virtual dub likes things done properly but Goldwave is a bit more liberal.......

Thanks again!
Archie