Converting 25 FPS PAL to 29.97 FPS NTSC

[felix_the_cat]

Hello everyone.

First of all, I should mention that it is THE BEST site I've seen so far. Thanks to all.

This topic for converting PAL to NTSC has been brought on many
ocasions, but after searching and reading information for couple of
months, I am now confused more than ever. Your help on this matter will
be greatly appresiated.

So, I have several PAL (25 fps) AVI's and MPEG's with different ratios
(352x288, 480x352, 528x416, 640x480). I need it to convert to NTSC
(VCD, SVCD). The final output is DVD for standalone DVD player.

Tools: TMPGEnc Plus, TMPGEnc DVD Author, VitualDub(Mod), BeSweet,
Gold Wave, Nero6.

Questions:

VIDEO
1. Do I have to convert to 23.97 fps and than to 29.97, or strait to 29.97?
What filters should I use for that in TMPGEnc and when (Frame rate,
3:2 pull, etc.)? Will it be ok, if I do just 23.97?

2. Video Arrange Method is Full Scr (keep aspect), but after clipping the
aspect will change (exmpl. 312x240), is that will work fine on DVD, TV?

3. Should I use CBR, if size does not matter? If VBR, what would be max
and avg settings?

AUDIO
1. As far as I understand, I have to convert to MP2 48kHz and about
128kbs. It that right?

Thanks to all in advance.
Felix

[felix_the_cat]

Any one?

[bugster]

VIDEO
1. Do I have to convert to 23.97 fps and than to 29.97, or strait to 29.97?
What filters should I use for that in TMPGEnc and when (Frame rate,
3:2 pull, etc.)? Will it be ok, if I do just 23.97?

2. Video Arrange Method is Full Scr (keep aspect), but after clipping the
aspect will change (exmpl. 312x240), is that will work fine on DVD, TV?

Should be find, test a short clip on a DVDrw 1st if your player can play them.

3. Should I use CBR, if size does not matter? If VBR, what would be max
and avg settings?

If you can fit what you want on to 1 disk with CBR at 8000, then go for it. If you want longer movies, use 2-pass VBR.

AUDIO
1. As far as I understand, I have to convert to MP2 48kHz and about
128kbs. It that right?

I would use 224kbps, but really it depends on the quality of the source. Also, not all DVD players (esp in the US) handle mp2 audio, so you might want to consider PCM (uncompressed, uses loads of space) or 2-ch Ac3 for max compatibility.

[felix_the_cat]

Thanks bugster.

Can you tell me what filters should I use in TMPGEnc?

Thanks.

[bugster]

Thanks bugster.

Can you tell me what filters should I use in TMPGEnc?

Thanks.

Well, that depends on the source. If it is a downloaded avi, its probably not worth the effort. The noise reduction filter in TmpGenc can be pretty useful on VHS sources but it is VERRRRRRRRRY slow. I would concentrate on getting working PAL to NTSC conversions right 1st.