converting PAL DVD to NTSC while preserving chapters

[andreyvul]

Since I don't know the structure of an IFO file, I can only guess that chapter offsets are in frames.
However, I have a PAL-encoded DVD and I want to recode it to NTSC. If the frame count changes, the chapters could be de-synchronized and the IFO rendered useless.
Is there a way to recode the VOBs while preserving the relative frame offsets of the chapters?

I do know how to convert a VOB on its own from PAL to NTSC via ffmpeg but I worry that chapter functionality would be lost.

[lordsmurf]

I thought chapter data was in the IFO.

[Alex_ander]

You can get cell data (celltimes.txt file) using e.g. PGCDemux and adjust frame numbers in it proportionally to the changed total framecount. Then use that file for muxing re-encoded tracks back in Muxman.
Another way is to write down time points for chapters (e.g. get those by importing original version into TDA), then use those numbers for muxing back (e.g. by typing them in TDA). The second way is better (no extra editing) since there's often more cells than chapters.

[lordsmurf]

I grab chapter data from a DVD using PGCEdit. I type them into DVDWS2 or whatever I'm using.

Kind of a pain in the ass, but a necessary evil when you're getting paid $$$ for it.

[andreyvul]

PGCEdit did the job. Now how do I extract the subtitles?

[lordsmurf]

Post back the method you find, that you like, and works easy. I've not found one yet. I read about several, but they are never very fun.

[jman98]

This thread shows better than anything I could say why converting between PAL and NTSC is insane. Andreyvul - how much time have you spent on this already? And yet you still have to rip subs. Is your personal time really so worthless?

This is in the Linux section, so here is a guide on ripping subtitles in Linux.
http://www.my-guides.net/en/content/view/129/26/
I have no idea if it works or not. I don't use Linux for any video work.

I don't EVER do PAL<->NTSC conversions under any circumstances. I just refuse. It's not worth the time to rip, convert the chapter times, extract the subtitles and change their times, extract the audio and change its time AND change the pitch, and then re-author this mess back together and pray that everything is in sync. I sometimes exchange videos with my brother and I bought him a DVD player that can convert PAL to NTSC so that I don't have to worry about this stuff. For everyone else, I just give them a PAL video and say "If your DVD player can't play it, watch it on a PC" and I'm done with it.

It is the nature of men to give gifts and to want to do the job correctly, but I learned a long time ago that it's not really worth the effort to convert videos between PAL and NTSC. Most people never watch the videos you give them anyway. If they do watch them, they won't appreciate what you did to make it work for them. If you only have to do it once, it's not worth the effort. And if you have to do it more than once, just buy them a DVD player that can convert PAL to NTSC video output and get on with your life.

[lordsmurf]

Yeah, read the section called "BEFORE WE BEGIN" here;
http://www.digitalfaq.com/guides/video/convert-pal-ntsc.htm

[mazinz]

never mind I am half asleep and did not see that this was in linux

[andreyvul]

I am such an idiot for not reading the DVD player's manual.
Disc Format: NTSC/PAL
576i->480p

I'll leave PAL<->NTSC transcoding for XVid only (which worked quite well after tweaking ffmpeg)

[Alex_ander]

...not reading the DVD player's manual.
Disc Format: NTSC/PAL

It is also quite possible that there is a setting to output in the same TV system as DVD content (without framerate conversion on-the-fly). In case your TV is both PAL/NTSC capable, that would be the preferable setting - (almost) lossless due to the same scanning standard as the footage.