PAL divx - NTSC MPEG2 conversion troubles using TMPGenc

[Big_Ben_C]

Hey guys,

I am about to give up on this one! I can't seem to find what I'm looking for in the forums, so forgive me if this has been posted before. I'm trying to convert a Divx AVI:

578 MB, 910 Kbps, 25.0 fps, 720*384 (16:9), DIVX = OpenDivx v4

into a fully DVD-compliant MPEG2 file. I am quite familiar with using TMPGenc to re-encode movie files, but I have not yet had to try and re-encode a PAL movie into NTSC. Any suggestions on how to do this? Also, is the mp3 audio with this file considered to be 25fps as well, or can I just demux the audio first, convert to MPEG2, and then re-mux with the finished video file? Thanks for any input

[tito13kfm]

Here's how I do my Pal divx to NTSC Mpeg2's hope it works for you too.

Demux the audio using VirtualDubMod Naming it PAL.AC3 or PAL.MP3 (or whatever type of audio it is)
copy that file to my besweet directory
Run this command

BeSweet.exe -core( -input PAL.ac3 -output NTSC.mp2 )
-azid( -c normal -L -3db ) -ota( -r 25000 23976 -hybridgain ) -ssrc( --rate 48000 ) -mp2enc( -m s -b 256 -e )

That will give you a 256kb/sec 48000hz mp2 file that is the correct play length.

I then Open the Divx with TMPGEnc, Set it up as follows
Under Video Tab
size: 352x480, or 720x480
Aspect Ratio 4:3 (I know this doesn't make sense, but if you set it to 16:9 it is really really squished on Divx's.. haven't figured this one out. 4:3 provides the correct aspect ratio) (try it out for yourself and check the preview window when you click encode)
FrameRate: 23.976 (Internally 29.97) (you can't get this option until you set the next one.
Encode Mode: 3:2 Pulldown when playback

Advanced tab:
Source type: non-interlaced (progressive) I don't think divx supports interlaced, if it does then it is rarely used.
Source Aspect Ratio: 1:1
Video Arrange Method: Full Screen Keep Aspect Ratio
Do Not Frame Rate Convert Checked

Quant Matrix tab:
no motion search for blah blah blah: unchecked (looks like shit during motion if you don't)

Encode the video, then I just author in DVD-Lab using the .mp2 for the audio, and the .m2v for the video, don't even bother to remux them.

I have done about 5 films this way and they have all turned out great. I know it's not the prettiest way, and there are probably better ways, but this way works fine for me.

[Big_Ben_C]

Thanks tito13kfm! Wasn't expecting such a quick reply nor a detailed response! I appreciate it much, and I think the vid turned out great.