Is “Movie Clone 4 Gold” capable of converting PAL into NTSC?

[coody]

Though some people suggest it is not worth of trying one-click to convert PAL to NTSC, I still pay attention software that it is easy to convert PAL into NTSC or vice verse. The Movie Clone 4 Gold claims “Backup and convert movies in any format.” Has anyone ever used it? Can it convert the PAL into NTSC DVD or vice verse?

[guns1inger]

Sounds like just another dodgy piece of crap. Nothing can convert a full disc from PAL to NTSC and keep all the menus etc.

ConvertXtoDVD or FAVC are both capable of converting video from PAL to NTSC or NTSC to PAL. Note : there is no way of converting 29.970 fps NTSC to PAL nicely in software.

[coody]

Sounds all software in the market have been tested, uh? Is the FAVC an assemblage of the software?

[guns1inger]

FAVC is a front-end to a number of tried and tested quality products, including Quenc, HCEnc, Aften and others. It uses proven methods for format conversion, and works well.

Unfortunately there are a lot (an ever growing number) of cheap converters that promise a lot, using terms like high quality and high definition etc, and ultimately deliver unreliable mediocrity. They are often built on free tools that can be used to deliver great results (ffmpeg is a common one), but they are assembled and configured to lowest common denominator standards using poor settings and even worse techniques. More time is spend making the graphics for the interface than is spent configuring the tool for quality output (and many of them still look damned ugly).

If you think I sound cynical about these budget tools, you are right. They exchange a simple interface for quality. Everything they can, and more, can be achieved at much higher quality using free tools, if you are prepared to spend a little time and effort up front. If you are one of those poor unfortunates who can't tell the difference between what WinAVI produces, and something good, then go for it. Nothing is stopping you trialing it for yourself.

But I can pretty much guarantee you now that it promises way more than it can deliver.