PAL to NTSC

[dmfan]

i need to make exact copy of PAL DVD, including menus, extrax, everything, but video to be transfered to NTSC. I'm using Canopus ProCoder 1.5, VODedit, IFO edit. But the problem is how to copy menu so it works the same way as on PAL DVD? I can rip it, then Procoder it, but after this it will be just one video, not working menu.
Please anybody know how to do that? Coz i know it possible.

Thank you very much.

[flaninacupboard]

you will need to reauthor the disc, as both framesizes and timing will be different.

how do you "know" it's possible?

[FulciLives]

I have converted many PAL DVD discs to NTSC DVD-R discs. The process ... at least once you get the hang of it ... is not that difficult.

However I never do the original menus. Forget this RIGHT NOW. The process of doing a complete PAL to NTSC transfer (meaning including the menu designs) is WAY too manual and the difficulty level is WAY too high.

Unless you have extensive knowledge AND skill in using PhotoShop you can pretty much kiss that idea goodbye.

Plus there are few if any inexpensive DVD authoring programs that you can use to stitch it all back together again.

It's just not worth all the trouble.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[dmfan]

i've seen those "copied" disks. They are exactly the same as PAL source disks.
i know i have to re-author disks, but how can i keep the menu!?

thanx

[dmfan]

if just could tell me steps of the process i'd appreciate it.
i know it's pain in ass process, i know it's hard, i just don't know WHAT steps to take and i need to know them.

thank you

[lenti_75]

cause it's possible, but it's really hard. I don't even want to try....
one way is to use photoshop, then encore dvd, to create the same menu.
have fun.....

the easiest way is to use a dvd player, region free....as Cyberhome 300, which is 40$.

[FulciLives]

if just could tell me steps of the process i'd appreciate it.
i know it's pain in ass process, i know it's hard, i just don't know WHAT steps to take and i need to know them.

thank you

Listen up to what lenti_75 just said.

There is no simple "steps" to doing it.

If I could write it up I could do it.

But I can't do it.

It's too freaky hard.

And I am no graphic artist. I'm just OK with Photoshop but to re-do the menu design you have to REALLY ******* KNOW what you are doing with Photoshop.

So leave it alone man.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[flaninacupboard]

you'll need to rip all the files and then do a load of re-encoding and reauthoring - i.e. creating the backroung menu videos and selection overlays. and of course re-syncing your audio. this is a very advanced project and depending on the complexity of menu you require, may cost you severl thousand $ in software. it may be easier to source an NTSC DVD or multi system DVD player.

if you really want to go ahead try reading up on scenarist over on the doom9.org site, and take any further questions to the dvd authoring forum.

[dmfan]

ok, i will try to put it this way. I have PAL DVD, there's VTS_01_0.VOB file which is 235MB. It's a menu. I can rip it, then convert with Procoder to NTSC. Question is: how do i put it back (forget sync and other related problems), just the way to put it back in, so buttons working and all.

thank you.

[flaninacupboard]

You draw the button overlays as a .bmp file in photoshop. you import the button overlay into scenarist along with your motion menu. then you also reauhtor the whole disc while you're there. see the guide on doom9.org, it will take you through that process step by step.


If you are too lazy to google it you are too lazy to complete this project.

[FulciLives]

You draw the button overlays as a .bmp file in photoshop. you import the button overlay into scenarist along with your motion menu. then you also reauhtor the whole disc while you're there. see the guide on doom9.org, it will take you through that process step by step.

What was just said may SOUND very simple.

Try it.

Then you will agree that it is not worth it.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[flaninacupboard]

I did try it, i decided i didn't need a menu after all.....

This must have been about 18months ago when i wanted to create something fancy. i made up my first set of overlays, then realised each one was off by about ten pixels. the project died there and then as i realised my desire to watch the flm outweighed my desire to press menu buttons.

[lenti_75]

I tried all software to do pal-ntsc conversion. Procoder is the best...so this is the right way.

if you really want that dvd converted into ntsc, just rip the main file, and burn it on a dvd.

BUT, the easiest way, if you watch a lot of pal dvd's, is , buy a region free player, no conversion, no pain.

the best are philips 624 or cyberhome 300, these 2 do the conversion for you.

that's it, getting tired of this subject....

[dmfan]

i'm not lazy to google anything. i spent 2 weeks looking for guideo r anything at least pointing in right direction. instead, i'm getting messages like "Buy a new converting DVD player, dude!", which i have.
i found some guide at doom9 (http://www.doom9.org/index.html?/mpg/doitfast-guide.htm) but they use ORIGINAL VOB files with menu from source DVD! at least, that's what i found.
i need to know where menu is described, i mean all those button functions an stuff.

thank you for you replies, guys

[housepig]

@lenti -

a region free player won't do him any good - region coding and PAL/NTSC differences are two different things.

@dmfan -

did you check the guides at left under "Convert"?

[FOO]

I would bet money that he never succeeds , or even gets close.
He talks too much.

[dmfan]

yeah, i did. nobody tells how to keep original menu.

[lenti_75]

@lenti -

a region free player won't do him any good - region coding and PAL/NTSC differences are two different things.

@dmfan -

did you check the guides at left under "Convert"?

these 2 player DO the conversion, I personally have Cyberhome and works perfect. I know the diferrences, but forgot to especially mention it.

if you really want to do it, Adobe Photoshop and Encore are the way to go. Just copy the menu as picture, and start from there, doing links to each chapter for each button. this is what you have to find, what file is what...I tried once using these 2 software, and it's way to hard. For those people at Adobe, doing a dvd it's a real adventure....

[flaninacupboard]

Hmm, you didn't try very hard on the doom9 site.

http://www.doom9.org/index.html?/mpg/scenarist.htm

scenarist guide

http://www.doom9.org/index.html?/mpg/photoshop.htm

photoshop guide.


Maybe you don't understand, you can't convert from PAL to NTSC and "just keep" the menu - you need to rebuiild the menu the way it's done professionally - there is no alternative way, and it is NOT easy. look through those links, if you understand it all and can afford a copy of scenarist then you're good to go. given you couldn't even FIND the guide i doubt it.

[troyvcd1]

I did this with a pal movie. It is really not that hard. Just make a bmp of your menu, then cut and paste some additional layers of your buttons with photoshop and you can import the .psd file into dvdlab.

[dmfan]

thanx, guys. now it's something!
i have motion menus, so it'll be even harder, but i will have to try.

thank you all. i'll post my results.