Encoding DVD to play NTSC given original footage shot on PAL

[ivo]

When encoding a DVD, say for the US market, does it really matter the format (PAL; SECAM; NTSC) of the original footage? Is it necessary to convert PAL to NTSC (image stuttering when camera moves) or simply the authoring/encoding house will use the original footage frame rate (25fps 50 interlaced) and encode DVD for NTSC market.

[theewizard]

well the US market has to be NTSC,

the second question is more complex

if you are taking it someplace to be massed produced ( press/burn DVD's )

you have to have a finished completed master in the correct format, menus correct resolution frame rate everything, a finished master playable on a DVD player in NTSC format

I would say that a video production company that will edit & author is going to be harder to find and cost a lot more money, in fact they will likely turn you away, there are a lot of decisions to be made when it comes to editing, and their creative ideas may not be the same as yours

you really did not provide enough info about what you have from the camera, and what you are trying to produce, wild life documentry, news commnetary, childrens video , how may hrs of tape to edit to produce the finished product

[ivo]

I have a 52 minute documentary shot in HDV (SonyHVR Z1U) shot in 1080 50i (PAL), output to DI (digital intermediate -Kodak 2244 film stock, hence 25fps). FYI (everybody) made test (DI output) from Panasonic DVX100A and Sony HVR Z1U - regardless of what a lot of people say - the FILM footage(digital intermediate) from the HDV (mpeg-2) is at least 3 times(300%) better [dynamic range(tonal gradation) and color saturation, and resolution(grain)] than the DV from the DVX100A (industry standard among many prod. cos. at least in the US)- what a multi-billion corp can do to you. I guess, the question remains: "When encoding DVD for whatever TV standard (PAL, NTSC, SECAM, PLUTO) does it really matter what FRAME RATE is the native footage?

[borax]

...does it really matter what FRAME RATE is the native footage?
If the footage is progressive, no. If it is interlaced, yes.

[ivo]

one can easily deinterlace in final cut, so i guess regardless of original footage TV standard frame rate a DVD can play anywhere in the world if region free.

[borax]

deinterlace is not 'easy'... There is nearly always some quality loss
If quality is not that important, then you can use any footage and create a DVD.

[ivo]

what percentage of quality loss? is it really visible (noticable) or just the usual digital numbers game?

[borax]

This depends on the material. I think, it would be possible to create a (completely synthetic!) video, where you could see the quality loss even on an old TV. In 'real life' videos, normal viewers will probably not notice the difference.