Convert Region 2/4 PAL DVD to NTSC?

[jnojr]

Is this doable? There are some old BBC shows I'd like to see again, but they're only available as Region 2 and PAL. I'd like to be able to burn a Region 1 (or region-less) NTSC DVD to give to my mom.

[redwudz]

The region free part is usually easy. A program like DVD43 will let you get them onto the computer. It's in 'Tools' <<<<<

For software conversion from PAL to NTSC, it's a little harder. If you look to the left under 'Convert' there are some guides listed that might get you started.

https://www.videohelp.com/convert#4;41

Another alternative is DivxToDVD. The quality isn't as good, but it's easy to use. A freeware version is still available.

[jnojr]

An answer I got from another forum:

http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?t=56599

[redwudz]

Yes, that's a good method. You probably realized by now this is not a simple software conversion, at least for best quality.

I didn't mention the easiest way, I thought someone else would.

If you have a PAL DVD player, you just play the DVD and copy it with a NTSC DVD recorder.

[FulciLives]

Here is another thread worth reading ---> CLICK HERE

My "mini-guide" is on page 2 of that thread.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[MysticE]

For software conversion from PAL to NTSC, it's a little harder.

If you have NeroVision 3, it's very simple as long as the DVD isn't copyguarded. Simply 'Import Disc' create new chapter stops and go. You will lose original menus and subtitles though. And the finished product looks fine. No reason to knock yourself out with complicated procedures and various programs when the whole set up in Nero can be done in 5 minutes.

[FulciLives]

Because NEROVISION doesn't do it right.

The other methods using DGPulldown work right.

It's that simple.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[MysticE]

Because NEROVISION doesn't do it right...
- John "FulciLives" Coleman

There are some old BBC shows I'd like to see again,

It will do it right enough without having to make a career out of it.

[Noahtuck]

It will do it right enough without having to make a career out of it.

Not if you have any bit of a clue how to do it and you know how to use the programs

[gsh]

But isn't DGPulldown only for use with progressive source?
I think the conversion in TMPGEnc Plus 2.5 is pretty good - it slightly softens the picture (due to blending fields) and on high motion scenes there may be some blurring, but for a quick (ha!) and dirty way of converting 25 fps-29.97 fps it gives pretty good results.

[FulciLives]

But isn't DGPulldown only for use with progressive source?
I think the conversion in TMPGEnc Plus 2.5 is pretty good - it slightly softens the picture (due to blending fields) and on high motion scenes there may be some blurring, but for a quick (ha!) and dirty way of converting 25 fps-29.97 fps it gives pretty good results.

Again this is not true.

TMPGEnc Plus 2.5 etc. cannot properly do 25fps to 29.970fps unless you use Xesdeeni's AviSynth script for 25i to 29.970i

Here is a thread that talks about that method ---> CLICK HERE

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[meridklt]

Whilst this may seem daunting, I can assure you it’s not and the results are great.

I had help from the author of DGPulldown over at Doom9 with my own PAL DVD conversion and the appended is all down to his hard work.

To make things easy, save and work with all files in the same HD folder where your VOBs are.

All software is Freeware
Install Avisynth - obtain here http://www.avisynth.org/
Install DGMPGDec - obtain here http://neuron2.net/dgmpgdec/dgmpgdec.htm
and copy DGDecode.dll to VOB HD folder
Install QuEnc - obtain here http://nic.dnsalias.com/QuEnc.html
Install DGPulldown - obtain here http://neuron2.net/dgpulldown/dgpulldown.html

Save and work with all files in the same HD folder where your VOBs are.

Using DGIndex (one of the tools in DGMPGDec folder) open first VOB (I prefered to make new NTSC menus and in that case you would open the second VOB).
Set the Audio menu to Demux all tracks and then press F5 (wait for demux to finish)
Then Save project (use any name you wish and wait for saving to finish)
You then will have 2 files created, anyname.D2V and ???48k16bit2ch.WAV

Now make a text file script (use the 3 lines underneath) and save it as anyname.AVS
loadplugin("DGDecode.dll")
mpeg2source("anyname.d2V")
lanczosresize(720,480)

Then run QuEnc by opening file anyname.AVS
Set bitrate to 4500
Check the 2 Pass Encoding
Click on Advanced Options
Check Forced closed GOP
Click Apply
Click Encode
Go make a cup of tea and on completion you will then have anyname.m2v

Then run DGPulldown
Browse to anyname.m2v
Check 25 --> 29.97
Click Convert (this creates file anyname.m2v.pulldown.m2v)

Now Author as normal in NTSC using your anyname.m2v.pulldown.m2v and ???48k16bi 2ch.WAV

[Abond]

@meridklt
This method works OK only for progressive sources. That is why the author of DGPulldown leaded you through the procedure of determining if the source is not interlaced. But it seems the OP have an interlaced source.

Check Forced closed GOP

I would not do that.

[meridklt]

Abond wrote:
Quote:
Check Forced closed GOP

I would not do that.

I did that as a way to stop the Open Gob errors which I was getting in DVD-Lab Pro.

[Abond]

Than you should check Scene change (I do not remember the exact setting name).
What is Gob?

[meridklt]

Abond wrote:
Than you should check Scene change (I do not remember the exact setting name).
What is Gob?

As the DGPulldown author knew of the QuEnc 'Check Forced closed GOP' setting, it would be foolish on my part to alter anything without his saying so. Especially as I'm having no problems with the finished PAL to NTSC conversion he assisted me with.

For Gob read Gop.