my real-time PAL to NTSC conversion methods

[lordsmurf]

I'm curious what kind of real-time methods people have thought of, and that give back excellent output.

RE-ENCODING FILES NOT ALLOWED !!!

I just wanted to share a few things:

PAL VHS to NTSC DVD:
- PAL VHS player plays tape
- Out of PAL VHS go into a SAMSUNG 5000W and let it switch to NTSC
- Use your capture card or DVD recorder
- Credit here goes to Spidey2k1

PAL DVD (progressive) to NTSC DVD:
- This method can use an NTSC player that plays PAL in NTSC-50, but that's not the greatest quality.
- Use an ATI AIW with newer Catalyst drivers (to get OVERSCAN support) to output to DVD recorder or to another PC with a capture card. Capture NTSC signal put out by ATI AIW card. I use PowerDVD here.

PAL DVD (interlaced) to NTSC DVD:
- Not had a reason to do this yet. Assumed that WinDVD (force either bob or weave mode, whichever looks best) will output fine (do not use PowerDVD). Otherwise same method as progressive PAL DVD source.

I normally just use a player equipped to handle PAL discs, but sometimes low-resolution MPEG2 (352x288) will upchuck, as will progressive source in general.


I don't have time or patience to re-encode lots of discs. The realtime quality can be almost as good as the long way if your recording/capturing equipment is good. LSI-chip DVD recorder and another ATI AIW card does great in my tests.

If you have another method, please share...

[FulciLives]

PAL VHS to NTSC DVD:
- PAL VHS player plays tape
- Out of PAL VHS go into a SAMSUNG 5000W and let it switch to NTSC
- Use your capture card or DVD recorder
- Credit here goes to Spidey2k1

I'm confused here. Are you talking about the SAMSUNG SV-5000W VHS VCR? If so this VCR can play just about any VHS video (PAL, NTSC & SECAM) and then CONVERT the output to your desired output type. For instance it can play back a PAL VHS and output NTSC. So you really only need this one VCR not two.

I know someone that used to have this VCR and he was very unhappy with the quality of PAL to NTSC conversion. SAMSUNG does have a step up model (almost double the price) called the SV-7000W which should give MUCH better output.

Of course the grand daddy is still Panasonic with the current model being the AG-W3P but this puppy will set you back $1,500 or so brand new. However I have a friend who bought an older used model and had the heads replaced and I've seen the conversions from PAL to NTSC ... very nice! But admittingly WAY too expensive.

As for converting PAL DVD format be the DVD progressive OR interlaced ... what's wrong with simply playing it back on a DVD player that does coversion such as a Cyberhome or Philips or Malata etc.

These will play back any PAL DVD and convert to NTSC.

All the stuff you said about DVD pretty much just confused me.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[hech54]

My method is similar to Lordsmurf's. I too have not yet found the patience to convert via a computer.
I have this converting VCR:
http://www.bombayelectronics.com/vcr/mx100.html and like it VERY much and have used it often to convert VHS to VHS in the past. It is also a great player as well….great picture quality even with my (then) native NTSC format to my NTSC TV. I didn’t pay $599 for mine…it was more like $450 when I bought it.
However I’ve had better results with this method:

PAL to NTSC
1 – Record from VHS to DVDR in PAL format to my Philips DVDR985
(onto an RW of course).
2 – Place the PAL DVD+RW into my Scantic DVD player and set it to convert
from PAL to an NTSC output.
3 – Record that back into my Philips DVDR985 again. Now I will have an
NTSC +RW recorded in VR mode that I can add chapter markers to with
something like Ulead Movie Factory 2….since most of what I record is
concert videos.
Now that I live in Europe…I just use a PAL S-VHS machine instead of
my Aiwa HV machine.

[lordsmurf]

@FULCI
Both SPIDEY2k1 and myself have seen noise (red/blue chroma noise) added to the video when played on the SAMSUNG. But the conversion by the VCR itself is second to none. Just the playback that has issues.

The DVD players don't give as high quality a signal as the method I posted. Trust me, I've tried dozens and dozens of options, but thse are working out best.

Remember, video and audio quality my #1 priority... within reasonable timeframe. This did it.

[Dr_Layne]

I've used two meathods.

1. Using a Panasonic AG-W1 vcr to convert PAL VHS to NTSC.

2. Using same VCR, Capture direct to PAL DV, and use Vegas Video 4 to render to NTSC AVI.

Both meathods have given me similar results.


Steve Bennett

[FOO]

If you have another method, please share...

hire Igno ramius to do it

[hech54]

However I’ve had better results with this method

Lordsmurf,
I wasn't implying MY method was better than yours. I too have tried several methods on my own and the one I added had better results than the others I've tried.

[axolotls]

I think my PAL VCR is busted.. Damn... I'll work on it this weekend and try #1

[troyvcd1]

How about this PAL to NTSC dvd conversion. Play the pal dvd in your computer dvd player. Videotape this with your camcorder and transfer this camcorder video to your computer. Convert to mpeg2 and author.