Capturing NTSC VHS tapes to PAL Final Cut...

[willed]

A client has a number of NTSC VHS tapes which he wants captured and edited. (I'm in the UK where we use PAL). I'm recommending he gets a Mac and FCP or FCE. I was wondering if anyone knew if it would be possible to use a Canopus ADVC-55 capture box to get these videos from the VHS to FCP? Presumably they'd still be in NTSC? Could I use FCP to convert them to PAL easily? Could I use Final Cut Express instead if they decide they can't afford FCP?

Thanks for any tips.

W

[DB83]

Are you doing the capturing/ conversion ? If so why recommend the client to buy the hardware/software. Seems to be overkill unless he has a lot, and I do mean a lot, of tapes.

A few issues before you even consider the computer/software. NTSC tapes will require either a mult-standard VCR or a standards converter. The mult-standard will output a pure NTSC signal and then you can use the canopus for capture.

A standard 'NTSC playback' VCR will output PAL60. That can be digitally converted before input into the canopus but not all standards converters handle PAL60. Be careful with your choice. If it says NTSC to PAL then it will not work.

Do a search on the forums for PAL60( or PAL-60) and also for macrovision as if these tapes are commercial ones then you will also have to consider any copy-protection built into them. And that's even more kit to obtain.

So here is your work flow:-

multi-standard VCR >> canopus >> PC = NTSC capture
multi-standard VCR >> standards converter >> canopus >> PC = PAL capture
NTSC-playback VCR >> standards converter(supporting PAL60) >> canopus >> PC = PAL capture

add video stabiliser to remove macrovision before canopus for any appropiate commercial tapes (some models of canopus 110 have a 'hack' for macrovision removal. Do not think that the canopus 55 has this)

There is NO easy NTSC to PAL conversion. There are also many topics/hints on how to do this in the forums. But most of these will rely on Windows based PCs. Using a MAC is a whole different ball-game. You could search the MAC forum or ask the question there for more specific answers.

[willed]

That's great, thanks for all the info. I should have explained, the guy wants a kind of mini production suite for his company anyway so he does need to buy all the kit.

I don't think the tapes are commercial so at least Macrovision shouldn't be a problem, and I've found an FCP plugin that apparently works well for NTSC-PAL (for anyone who's interested see http://www.nattress.com/Products/standardsconversion/standardsconversion.htm ) I think the most difficult bit will be finding a proper NTSC VCR!

Cheers,

W