PAL dvd to NTSC dvd audio... help....help

[tapetrade]

I have a PAL dvd that I'm trying to get onto NTSC dvd, here goes

So far.

Ripped with SmartRipper - no problems
Used dvd2avi (created d2v and wav) - no problems

Checked the d2v length for encoding length - no problems
Used Cooledit2000 to stretch the audio - sounds like the damn chipmunks

TMPEnc Encoding to NTSC 720X480 29.97fps CQ100. Under
advanced No frame rate checked. The video conversion works
perfectly.

Audio part:

PAL length 1:12:10 approx.

NTSC Length- 1:00:11 (3611.84518 seconds)
Frames- 108247
Ratio used for audio stretch 83.414

I tried all 3 options like Preserve pitch, do nothing etc..

The best I've gotten so far is perfect sync between audio & video
but high pitched and fast tempo. Is there something I'm missing?
Something else I should try? I'm definately open to suggestions right
about now.

[asifanwar]

OK, I have done lots of PAL to NTSC ocnversion and they all come out phenomenal this way:

1. rip as usual with SmartRipper.
2. DVD2AVI with Video set to NONE
3. Drop into TMPGEnc. I use the NTSC DVD template, then unlock it to tweak it thus-

VIDEO TAB
video only setting (take care of audio later)
720x480 of course
4:3
23.97fps
Interlaced
NTSC
whatever bitrate you want.

ADVANCED TAB
whatever aspect ratio works
DEINTERLACE filter (set at double) to elimenate combing artifact
DO NOT FRAME RATE CONVERSION set to ON

Now go ahead and encode with TMPGEnc, and then afterwards use pulldown to 'fix' it. You will effectively be going from 25fps to 23.97fps which is imperceptible when watching and the pulldown makes a nice NTSC compliant stream.

Now for the audio:
CoolEdit2000 is the best.
Load the PAL wave file
Now we went from 25 fps to 23.97 fps which makes our video SLIGHTLY longer cos it is playing SLIGHTLY slower. Do this -
TRANSFORM menu.....TIME/PITCH....STRETCH
DO a CONSTANT STRETCH. Put 95.88 into the ratio to make it slightly slower. PRECISION is high. Stretch mode is TIME STRETCH which will preserve the pitch! Pitch & Time settings set to auto work great.

Now hit OK and wait a bit. It will eventually finish with a perfectly stretched audio file that is in PERFECT sync with the video and sounds IDENTICAL! You may wish to re-encode the audio to make it smaller (MP2 or AC3)

I have done a tone of British comedy discs this way (R2, PAL to R0 NTSC) and they are FANTASTIC!

Hope this helps. Message me if you need anything else.

AA

[Scoobydeux]

Great technique, it has worked for me too! One question (sorry, only about 3 months experience trying this stuff)....

In using this technique with a 5.1 ac3 file, I presently have to make 6 waves with Besweet, stretch each wav, then reencode them in Sonic Encode, then I can burn the DVD. Of course, resampling 6 waves takes FOREVER!!!! Am I killing myself when there is a better way?

[asifanwar]

Hi!
Glad the technique worked for you too.

I used to use SoftEncode to convert both from and to AC3 but it is very slow.

I now used BeSweet to convert to 6 waves and then CoolEdit all 6 (usually all at once by opening 6 CoolEdits, and leaving it overnight).
I then use the AC3 Encoder of Sonic Scenarist to re-encode using the same parameters as the original.

I dont think there is any easier way to do this as you do have to treat each channel separately. It basically takes an overnight session to do it.

Good luck!

[Scoobydeux]

Good idea! Me the 'monkey boy' was doing the 6 wav's one at a time, let me pull the toothpicks out of my eye and do your idea of 6 simultaneous.

Thanks!

[cobra967]

I tried to follow asifanwar instructions to convert PAL to NTSC DVDs. However, the result is not as expected. The output plays quicker than normal and it does not play smoothly (is kind choppy - like is missing frames constantly).

Also, what does "DEINTERLACE filter (set at double) to eliminate combing artifact " means? Where do I set it to double? If I select "DEINTERLACE" the fps in the Video tab in TMPGEnc jump to 60. Is this normal?

How do I perform a Polldown? My file name is test.m2v, so, please give me an example command line based on this name (So i will understand better).

This is my first conversion so please be specific and clear.

Thank you.