capturing PAL source in NTSC land..

[dubieman]

Hi all! I've been debating on how to approach this for awhile and would appreciate any input or help! Here goes:

I have a bunch of PAL tapes that I would eventually like to save as SVCD or DVD through the use of my ADVC-100. Thing is, I don't have a multisystem VCR and here's where the 'problem' begins! Question: When transferring PAL source through a multisystem VCR through the ADVC-100, what is the resultant DV-AVI file like? Is there a difference between an NTSC or PAL 'capture' through the ADVC-100? Thing is, I want to get a multisystem VCR, but I'm not sure if I should get one with a built-in video converter (which would allow me to play PAL tapes on an NTSC TV), or just go with one that just does PAL playback and worry about converting PAL to NTSC later with the resulting DV file(??) Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks!

[hech54]

I used to have an Aiwa HV-MX...blah blah blah(I'm guessing here) multisystem VCR in the states that was awesome. My folks back home still use it to this day. It would convert anything to anything and do it very well. It was also Hi-Fi stereo...which was the most important feature for me since I was putting PAL concert videos to DVD with my Philips DVDR985 recorder. Not the cheapest but it is VERY nice.

[geek rock]

do you have a DVD player that will convert PAL to NTSC on the fly?

if so, try a PAL clip in this, and see if you think the playback is adequate.

if it is, then your cheapest option would be to find a PAL VCR (ebay?) and have it sent to you, along with a 240-volt power supply. then all your captures would be in pure PAL, and any necessary conversion is done by the DVD player - meaning no sync worries for you when encoding!

-Mark

[dubieman]

Hi hech54 and geek rock, thanks for the replies!

hech54: I believe you have the AIWA HV-MX100 multisystem VCR which has a built-in converter...I've seen used ones go for around $250(!) on eBay..Question: how is the quality of the output signal?

geek rock: I'm leaning towards your suggestion, one of the reasons being that multisystem VCRs without the built-in converters are much cheaper!

newbie question for all: When 'capturing' PAL source through the ADVC, what is the 'format' of the DV-AVI file? Can I use TMPGenc to convert the AVI file to NTSC MPEG2 or is the resultant MPEG2 in PAL format and do I do the conversion later? Thanks!

[geek rock]

newbie question for all: When 'capturing' PAL source through the ADVC, what is the 'format' of the DV-AVI file? Can I use TMPGenc to convert the AVI file to NTSC MPEG2 or is the resultant MPEG2 in PAL format and do I do the conversion later? Thanks!

if your VCR is outputting a pure PAL signal, then you'll need to set your ADVC to PAL mode, and then capture as you normally would. the only thing to bear in mind is that your TV set probably won't be able to display the PAL signal correctly, so to "monitor" the playback of the tapes, you'll have to do it thru your capture software, and not on a TV screen.

-Mark

[dubieman]

Hi geek rock...got it, thanks!