Hardware converter

[Sean_ve99]

Hi
I am looking for professional and powerful hardware converter for converting NTSC to PAL and vice versa, can anyone help me?
I am not looking for software method, because this job is very important and I need the highest quality. Has anyone worked with any hardware converter?
I appreciate any help in advance.

[edDV]

Hi
I am looking for professional and powerful hardware converter for converting NTSC to PAL and vice versa, can anyone help me?
I am not looking for software method, because this job is very important and I need the highest quality. Has anyone worked with any hardware converter?
I appreciate any help in advance.

Normally one would use a service bureau for important PAL transcodes and most often they would be using a Snell and Wilcox converter.
http://www.snellwilcox.com/products/conversion_restoration/products.php

[Sean_ve99]

Thanks for the reply, it seems professional. Are there another suggestion?
How is Black Magic or AJA?

[edDV]

Thanks for the reply, it seems professional. Are there another suggestion?
How is Black Magic or AJA?

Do you need to buy one or just get a few tapes converted? Good ones are expensive. Better to use a service bureau.

Here is a long list of used standards converters.
http://www.bcs.tv/store/prod_search_results.cfm?category_search=570

At the low end you have the Data Video STC-100 ~$500
http://www.bcs.tv/store/model_detail.cfm?id=801209
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/435211-REG/Datavideo_STC_100_STC_100_Standards_Converter.html

[Sean_ve99]

No, I should buy, there are more than 50 DVDs.
When I searched in net I found some cheap devices for converting NTSC/PAL around 500 dollars but I don’t know if there are good or not.
I am looking for reasonable price, maybe around 1500 dollars, can I find good devices with this price?

[edDV]

No, I should buy, there are more than 50 DVDs.
When I searched in net I found some cheap devices for converting NTSC/PAL around 500 dollars but I don’t know if there are good or not.
I am looking for reasonable price, maybe around 1500 dollars, can I find good devices with this price?

I haven't used the lower price units. Search for reviews.

[Sean_ve99]

Well, if cheap units don’t work well I prefer to spend more. Can you recommend a unit that isn’t very expensive? I really don’t know how much should I spend, I didn’t think Converters are very expensive.

[jagabo]

Hardware will not get you higher quality than the right software, especially if you are starting with DVDs. It may be faster (real time) and easier though.

[lordsmurf]

If you can't afford the Snell & Willcox, then I'd simply do this: http://www.digitalfaq.com/guides/video/convert-pal-ntsc.htm

[themaster1]

converting ntsc to pal ok but in what format vhs>vhs ?

it's irrelevant in the digital domain imo it's not pal or ntsc it's YCbCr as you may know. All dvd players can play a "pal" or "ntsc" dvd and if you can't you just have to unlock the dvd player.

[jagabo]

All dvd players can play a "pal" or "ntsc" dvd and if you can't you just have to unlock the dvd player.

No, many NTSC players will not play PAL discs properly. This is not a region issue. This isn't an issue for the OP though.

[edDV]

converting ntsc to pal ok but in what format vhs>vhs ?

it's irrelevant in the digital domain imo it's not pal or ntsc it's YCbCr as you may know. All dvd players can play a "pal" or "ntsc" dvd and if you can't you just have to unlock the dvd player.

True that it is all YCbCr but not true that "PAL" frame rate and line structure is generally supported in western hemisphere DVD players. The cause is the European VAT tax that causes Euros to seek a lower price in less taxed regions. The push back by DVD player manufacturers is region coding and inhibition of 25/50fps and/or 576 lines to make western players useless in Europe or other "PAL" countries. There are exceptions.

The OP's location "middle east" could describe many format situations. He only offered a need for bi-directional DVD conversion.

He also says "this job is very important and I need the highest quality" but he also has a low budget.