PAL HDV encoding DVD to play on all DVD/TV standards

[ivo]

I've shot a doc 52 mins on Sony HVR-Z1U at HDV 1080i in PAL (50 fields). Doc is exported from FCP uncompressed 8-bit and file is sent to DVD authoring house to make a glass master for duplication. Post supervisor suggests to keep it in native format (not to convert PAL into NTSC) although the DVD is primarily for US distribution. Should the uncompressed QT movie be converted to NTSC before DVD authoring?

[edDV]

It would be no different than any SD PAL format authored to DVD.

Most North American DVD players and TV sets will have difficulty playing PAL DVD. I'd use it only if you know the destination viewer has PAL capable equipment, or will be using a computer to view.

[ivo]

I was told by a post supervisor that DVD players read frame rates on the dvd discs not TV standards. He claims that ANY dvd disc not region coded will PLAY on any dvd player regardless of PAL; NTSC;SECAM; etc.

[Case]

If a set top player plays a disc fine, but outputs a signal that the tv set can't handle, then the viewers still won't be able to enjoy the disc.

[edDV]

Most North American analog TV sets will reject a 625/50 Hz monochrome signal. NTSC DVD players will attempt to encode CbCr to NTSC but the TV must first lock to 50Hz.

Many newer digital TV sets will lock to 50Hz monochrome video but if the TV is connected composite or S-Video, color is usually not decoded. Analog component connection YPbPr has more probability of success. Digital connections depend on the TV manufacturer allowing 50Hz video in the DVI/HDMI port table. Most manufacturers don't list 50Hz support in their specs and may block 50Hz at the DVI/HDMI port to manipulate illegal export or customer support issues.

Bottom line, you can't assume a PAL DVD will play on a typical North American DVD player or TV.

[edDV]

I was told by a post supervisor that DVD players read frame rates on the dvd discs not TV standards. He claims that ANY dvd disc not region coded will PLAY on any dvd player regardless of PAL; NTSC;SECAM; etc.

Someone working in a post house has adapted to the multi-standard nature of high end broadcast equipment and monitors. This is true in their world but not for consumer TV sets in North America.

[jman98]

I would probably not be as kind as edDV when talking about the post supervisor and what he said. Bottom line, unless you make the DVD in NTSC format, I can promise you that a significant amount of North American DVD players will be unable to play it correctly. I'd guess at least 30% at a minimum with a possibility of it being as high as 60%. There's a reason why PAL countries such as Argentina, Brazil and Hong Kong (OK, not really a country but you know what I mean) make their DVDs in NTSC format. I saw one estimate that 95% of the world's DVD players can successfully play NTSC DVDs. The percentage of DVD players in the world that can play PAL DVDs is much lower. You also have resolution issues with PAL shot footage and not all NTSC DVD players are capable of resizing PAL resolutions to NTSC resolutions. I'd advise not listening to the post supervisor unless you are fully prepared for a lot of your potential customers to be very angry at not being able to play "your piece of crap DVD" because it's not in NTSC format.

[tomlee59]

That post supervisor is unfortunately of the "often wrong, but never in doubt" clan. At best, you can expect a glorious monochrome rendition of the DVD. At worst, you'll see nothing or a scrambled display. It's not just a player issue -- it's the combination of the player and television/monitor.

Bottom line, as the others have said: Make it NTSC.