How to convert PAL DVD to NTSC DVD?

[Mp_3]

In TMPGEnc you don't check mark "3:2 pulldown" on the ADVANCED TAB. I'm just guessing but that is a mistake some people do. Instead on the ADVANCED TAB make sure you select, "NON-INTERLACED (PROGRESSIVE)" for the setting called VIDEO SOURCE TYPE. Then on the VIDEO TAB first select "3:2 pulldown on playback" for the ENCODE MODE and then for the FRAME RATE you select "23.976fps (internally 29.970fps)"

Fulci Thanks for the help. i finally figured out another way to do it. i fixed the problem with the Canopus ProCoder. But i have one more question for you or anyone else who can help. When i do the audio with either BeSweet or when i use the ac3 machine both ends up with the same results. i trying to convert the audio from 35fps to 23.xxx with the 5.1 output, ac3 input ac3 output. When im done i author the dvd with DVD-lab Pro and adding the new .ac3 file under the video. i burn it and when i playing it on the tv, after couple of seconds the screen froze up and the audio goes GGGGGRRRrrrrrrr... When i hit the skip button on the remote then the movie continues, but after a cuple of seconds/minutes i geting the frozen screen again and the GGGGRRRrrr buzzing noise.

Any idea what i did wrong?? im gessing somewhere with the besweet. Please help
Thanks...

[mdoeden]

Quick noob question. I'm following the guide for an interlaced PAL source. I think I have a problem with my .d2v file, because first, Gordian Knot won't recognize it (says it's not a valid project), and secondly, when I try to load my AVS script into TMPG, it tells me line 3 of the script is bad (the line that calls for the .d2v).

I've read and re-read the guide, and I can't see what I've done wrong in creating the .d2v. Anyone have a guess as to what might be happening here?

[fpetit]

I'm a bit confused with all this...
Why do you have to change the speed of the audio when converting from a TV system to another??.

Suppose you have a VHS in NTSC and you need to convert it to PAL. You buy a device called "transcoder" that ONLY processes the video. The audio is intact. You have your PAL video without audio disynchronization.

Why do you have to process audio when working with this files?

[guns1inger]

The transcoder adds the missing frames but keeps the overall length (running time) the same. Changing framerates in the files actually alters the running time, and this is where the sync issues come into play. Using pulldown to go from, say, 25 fps to 29.970 fps mimics what the hardware is doing, and keeps the running time constant. However pulldown can only be used to add frames during playback, not remove them.

[fpetit]

Thank you...But...how does it come that there's not an application that performs this?. Is it something to do with decimation?

And...what about NTSC->PAL...In this case you have to remove frames.

[guns1inger]

NTSC 23.976 to PAL 25 requires either speeding up, or you can use pulldown flags. NTSC 29.970 fps to PAL 25 fps requires losing frames, probably through blending rather than actually removing (field decimation ?). As most PAL players play NTSC, I don't bother converting formats, ever.

[Video?]

Hi, below you will see BitrateViewer info on a Commercial PAL DVD movie originally encoded as Interlaced, but the original motion picture film source was Progressive. Despite any Pulldown flag change the video in GDIndex play as Progressive not Interlaced. I assume encoding as mentioned is normal for compatibility of Standard Definition TVs.

Num. of picture read: 42973
Stream type: MPEG-2 MP@ML VBR
Resolution: 720*576
Aspect ratio: 16:9 Generic
Framerate: 25.00
Nom. bitrate: 7500000 Bit/Sec
VBV buffer size: 112
Constrained param. flag: No
Chroma format: 4:2:0
DCT precision: 10
Pic. structure: Frame
Field topfirst: Yes
DCT type: Field
Quantscale: Nonlinear
Scan type: Alternate
Frame type: Interlaced
Scene change detection: FOUND
Variable GOP pattern: NOT FOUND

Now since the plan is to use DGPulldown to insert the flag of 29.97 frames for NTSC compatibility. These are the steps which I need to follow?

1- Create an Avisynth Resize script as follow:

LoadPlugin("Location of DGDecode.dll")
MPEG2Source("Location of *.d2v")
LanczosResize(720,480)
Crop(0,64,0,-64) #[base on the movie generic 16:9]
AddBorders(0,64,0,64) #[" "]
ConvertToYUY2() #[Is this the best option using CCE SP2?]

2- CCE options will be to match the encoded source, other than that any input will be useful.

3- Finally the DGPulldown 25.00 to 29.97. By doing this any software which will read the new flag will display interlaced frames, even though ignoring this flag will display the original progressive content, but on SD-TV is not an issue?

Questions about the project:

1- The movies have subtitles, are they going to be an issue?
2- Do Lanczos4Resize can result in better picture quality?
3- Does Colorimetry ITU-R BT.709 or Chroma format 4:2:0 will be an issue using this method?
4- What is the difference about CCE SP2 owns Lanczos Resize & 3:2 Pulldown encoding options?
5- Does the end result will be a 80% Film Video Type?
6- It's wise to encode this material as progressive?
7- No a question but a suggestion, please correct any misinformation.

[Pinstripes23]

1- Create an Avisynth Resize script as follow:

LoadPlugin("Location of DGDecode.dll")
MPEG2Source("Location of *.d2v")
LanczosResize(720,480)
Crop(0,64,0,-64) #[base on the movie generic 16:9]
AddBorders(0,64,0,64) #[" "]
ConvertToYUY2() #[Is this the best option using CCE SP2?]

Cropping and addborders functions are dependent by the AR of the movie. The ones you have above look like for a movie with a 2.35:1 AR. if you want to play it safe just forget about the crop and addborders functions, and just do a direct resize to 720x480.

3- Finally the DGPulldown 25.00 to 29.97. By doing this any software which will read the new flag will display interlaced frames, even though ignoring this flag will display the original progressive content, but on SD-TV is not an issue?

If you have software that can read pulldown flags then it should display the interlaced content. But as most software I have used, it usually ignores pulldown flags and just displays what is stored within the files. Your standalone dvd player shouldn't have a problem with the pulldown flags and displaying correctly on a tv.

Questions about the project:

1- The movies have subtitles, are they going to be an issue?
2- Do Lanczos4Resize can result in better picture quality?
3- Does Colorimetry ITU-R BT.709 or Chroma format 4:2:0 will be an issue using this method?
4- What is the difference about CCE SP2 owns Lanczos Resize & 3:2 Pulldown encoding options?
5- Does the end result will be a 80% Film Video Type?
6- It's wise to encode this material as progressive?
7- No a question but a suggestion, please correct any misinformation.

1) Selectable subtitles can be inserted back in no problem as long as you use pgcdemux to extract the .sup file, and use muxman as your authoring app. I don't think this guide mentions muxman. I am not sure about using .sup file with tmpgenc. You may have to convert the .sup to something tmpgenc can import. But afterwards, dvdsubedit can be used to re-position the subs as it relates to the change in resolution from PAL-to-NTSC.

2) Lanczos4Resize CAN result in better picture quality as it is probably the sharpest/detail-retaining resizers out there. But test out others like LanzcosResize(720,480,0,0.75), or maybe BicubicResize(720,480,0,0.75) may be better since you are downsizing vertical rez from PAL source.

3) Not sure about this one

4) Not too sure what you mean by this. But use dgpulldown for this type of insertion of flags, as CCE 2.70 doesn't do this kind of pulldown. You have to pulldown from 25fps to 29.97fps.

5) The end result will be a progressive encode, same as the source. The only difference is the change in resolution.

6) YES encode as progressive. In order to take advantage of pulldown correctly the encode must be progressive.

[Video?]

Hi Pinstripes23,

If you have software that can read pulldown flags then it should display the interlaced content. But as most software I have used, it usually ignores pulldown flags and just displays what is stored within the files.

Using DGIndex playing the video as: Honoring\Ignore Pulldown flags.

1) Selectable subtitles can be inserted back in no problem as long as you use pgcdemux to extract the .sup file, and use muxman as your authoring app. I don't think this guide mentions muxman. I am not sure about using .sup file with tmpgenc. You may have to convert the .sup to something tmpgenc can import. But afterwards, dvdsubedit can be used to re-position the subs as it relates to the change in resolution from PAL-to-NTSC.

Ok.. thought subtitles were already on the elementary stream and DVD Author 2.5 or DVD-Lab would recognise them.

4) Not too sure what you mean by this. But use dgpulldown for this type of insertion of flags, as CCE 2.70 doesn't do this kind of pulldown. You have to pulldown from 25fps to 29.97fps.

CCE-SP2 version 1 not CCE-SP 2.70, there's an option to Resize using Lanczos and also do a 3:2 Pulldown (not sure how the result will be, but will test on a sample of the movie).

CCE-SP2 Manual:

Interpolation methods
Cinema Craft Encoder SP2 provides four interpolation methods for
resizing picture:
• Nearest neighbor
• Linear interpolation
• Cubic interpolation
• Lanczos interpolation

The nearest neighbor algorithm is the fastest, while other methods yield higher quality results, but are slower. If Progressive frame is selected, resizing is performed per frame,
otherwise, per field.

Pulldown setting:
•When creating a NTSC video from a film, it is necessary to convert frame rate from 24 fps to 30fps (60 fields/sec). 3:2 pulldown is a common method for this convertion. And the 3:2 pulldowned source will be encoded efficiently and achieve better result applying Inverse 3:2 pulldown.
• When you apply 3:2 pulldown, do not set 00:00:00:00 as a timecode for the first frame.
• When you apply 3:2 pulldown, Output top field first stream should be selected. If the source is bottom field first, you should also confirm that Offset line is 1 or odd number.
• When you output DVD video stream with this option, GOP sequence should be M=3, N/M=4. To specify GOP sequence, click Advanced button in the lower right of the encoder setting window.

Pulldown:
Select this option when you convert film source at 24 (23.976) fps into NTSC video at 30 (29.97) fps. When it is selected, Inverse 3:2 pulldown will be also applied automatically. This setting will be allowed when output is MPEG-2 format file and 23.976 or 24 is selected as Frame rate.
•2:3 or 3:2
In 3:2 pulldown method, 2 fields are added to fill 10 fields (5 frames) of video that make 4 frames of film.

5) The end result will be a progressive encode, same as the source. The only difference is the change in resolution.
6) YES encode as progressive. In order to take advantage of pulldown correctly the encode must be progressive.

Even though the movie was originally encoded as interlaced?

In any case thanks for the input Pinstripes23. We still reading tutorials, because of the misinformation factor (or simply obsolete techniques) and trying to be up to date with today's tech. We truly appreciate the VideoHelp community and others too, since it can guide us with alternatives to reach our own customization, that's truly an unique gift for others to enjoy.

[manono]

Hi-

CCE-SP2 version 1 not CCE-SP 2.70, there's option to Resize using Lanczos and also do a 3:2 Pulldown (not sure how the result will be, but will test on a sample of the movie).

Do your resizing in the AviSynth script. There's nothing wrong with removing the old black bars and applying fresh black. I think I would do it before the resize, though. You checked and saw 64 rows of pixels both above and below the video after the resize? Don't apply 3:2 pulldown within CCE. You'll be applying a different kind of Pulldown using DGPulldown afterwards.

Ok.. thought subtitles were already on the elementary stream and DVD Author 2.5 or DVD-Lab would recognise them.

Not the elementary stream. After authoring they're in the vobs, though. The original PAL subs will be 20% larger in the NTSC DVD (576/480=1.2). You might not have a problem with that, though. Shrinking them down is a bit of trouble. They will be in-synch. As Pinstripes23 mentioned, you might want to adjust their position. Neither DVD Author 2.5 nor DVD-Lab will accept SUP subtitle files, I don't think. Muxman (the best), IFOEdit, and ReJig, will.

In even though the movie was originally encoded as interlaced?

DGPulldown works on progressive sources. I've seen a lot of discussion about how safe it is to encode PAL Interlaced DVDs (where the source is progressive, like movies) as Progressive, and the whole subject gives me a headache. I encode as Progressive.

Because you're making a 25->29.97fps NTSC DVD, and because you're actually encoding as 25fps progressive, in the SP versions you uncheck the "For DVD" box. If there's something similar in SP2, you have to do the same thing or CCE will change it and do something you don't want.

[Pinstripes23]

Using DGIndex playing the video as: Honoring\Ignore Pulldown flags.

You're dealing with PAL content as your source. So either one should be fine as I imagine no flags would be inserted.

CCE-SP2 version 1 not CCE-SP 2.70, there's an option to Resize using Lanczos and also do a 3:2 Pulldown (not sure how the result will be, but will test on a sample of the movie).

As manono pointed out just use avisynth to resize, and don't apply pulldown using ANY CCE encoder(if it has that option). 2:3 or 3:2 pulldown is applying flags to a 23.976fps encoded source, so that playback will be 29.97fps. What you want to do is go from 25 -> 29.97fps, so it is a different kind of pulldown that CCE doesn't support, and will have to be handled by dgpulldown.

Even though the movie was originally encoded as interlaced?

If you have a "true" interlaced source, then you have to deinterlace before converting and using dgpulldown. What I mean by true is if you load up a vob in something like vdubmod and when you go frame by frame you can actually see the interlacing. If you were to encode this then apply dgpulldown afterwards, you will mess up the field order. But just because it says it's encoded as interlaced doesn't make it so....especially when dealing with PAL movie content. Trust your eyes.

In any case thanks for the input Pinstripes23.

No problem.

[Video?]

Thanks manono, the original intention was using AviSynth to resize, CCE-SP2 for basic encoding & the DGPulldown only.

Do your resizing in the AviSynth script. There's nothing wrong with removing the old black bars and applying fresh black. I think I would do it before the resize, though. You checked and saw 64 rows of pixels both above and below the video after the resize? Don't apply 3:2 pulldown within CCE. You'll be applying a different kind of Pulldown using DGPulldown afterwards.

Will do Commendatore.

You checked and saw 64 rows of pixels both above and below the video after the resize?

Used VirtualDub Null Transform own Filter to get the proper value & to confirmed, but lets ignore 64 is more around 74.

Don't apply 3:2 pulldown within CCE. You'll be applying a different kind of Pulldown using DGPulldown afterwards

It's doesn't make sense using both of them (maybe only using the Progressive Frame checked in Picture Settings), simply asking if CCE-SP2 will do fine applying it owns technique alone, therefore DGPulldown will be obsolete in this case. But since what you guys recommends has been working for a while, it'll be our choice, nonetheless different small test don't hurt either so see what CCE can do.

DGPulldown works on progressive sources. I've seen a lot of discussion about how safe it is to encode PAL Interlaced DVDs (where the source is progressive, like movies) as Progressive, and the whole subject gives me a headache. I encode as Progressive.

Yeah I see there are headaches into this topic, too much mis\information. I wonder if some of them can be archived to ease confusion. But still many thanks of those who share their facts & opinions.

Because you're making a 25->29.97fps NTSC DVD, and because you're actually encoding as 25fps progressive, in the SP versions you uncheck the "For DVD" box. If there's something similar in SP2, you have to do the same thing or CCE will change it and do something you don't want.

It's a picture from the manual I should check 25 frames & uncheck Rate conv (since in here we do not want a conversion)?

You're dealing with PAL content as your source. So either one should be fine as I imagine no flags would be inserted.

It's ok, the meaning was DGIndex can be used to play a video by ignoring the Pulldown flags, therefore we can review the effects after the DGPulldown.

As manono pointed out just use avisynth to resize, and don't apply pulldown using ANY CCE encoder(if it has that option). 2:3 or 3:2 pulldown is applying flags to a 23.976fps encoded source, so that playback will be 29.97fps. What you want to do is go from 25 -> 29.97fps, so it is a different kind of pulldown that CCE doesn't support, and will have to be handled by dgpulldown.

Will do Sir.

If you have a "true" interlaced source, then you have to deinterlace before converting and using dgpulldown. What I mean by true is if you load up a vob in something like vdubmod and when you go frame by frame you can actually see the interlacing. If you were to encode this then apply dgpulldown afterwards, you will mess up the field order. But just because it says it's encoded as interlaced doesn't make it so....especially when dealing with PAL movie content. Trust your eyes.

Is not "true interlaced", is just encoded that way. Thanks for the tips.

Question, after the DGPulldown, are we supposed to see anything different (some interlaced lines) in DGIndex honoring 3:2 Pulldown Flag, and when is ignored it looks raw Progressive?

Thanks again guys.

By the way, "manono" is related to manolo?

[manono]

are we supposed to see anything different (some interlaced lines) in DGIndex honoring 3:2 Pulldown Flag, and when is ignored it looks raw Progressive?

I was just looking, and with Honor Pulldown Flags set and playing it at slow speed 29.97fps, the interlacing is obvious. Using Ignore Pulldown Flags, no interlacing is seen. And the Information window says it's about 80% Film.

About the cropping, I forgot this is for a widescreen 4:3 DVD. I was assuming it to be 16:9. Sorry.

If manolo is someone's nickname, I don't know him.

[Video?]

are we supposed to see anything different (some interlaced lines) in DGIndex honoring 3:2 Pulldown Flag, and when is ignored it looks raw Progressive?

I was just looking, and with Honor Pulldown Flags set and playing it at slow speed 29.97fps, the interlacing is obvious. Using Ignore Pulldown Flags, no interlacing is seen. And the Information window says it's about 80% Film.

Ok, the sample is consistent with your test.

If manolo is someone's nickname, I don't know him.

Just curiosity about if "manono" had to do anything about the name Manolo.

Well, will keep reading tomorrow, I have to travel home now.

[manono]

More I didn't see:

It's a picture from the manual I should check 25 frames & uncheck Rate conv (since in here we do not want a conversion)?

Uncheck "For DVD". Uncheck "Rate conv". Tick "25".

Manono is the name of my boat. I've never heard of Manolo. No offense intended to Manolo is he's reading.

[Video?]

Hi:

Pinstripes23, the addition of the LanczosResize(720,480,0,0.75) sharpening value makes a noticing difference (especially at the borders), but didn't saw BicubicResize(720,480,0,0.75) make a positive effect. For ease AvsP preview the different parameters tested, not sure if Lanczos4Resize(720,480,0,0.75) is adequate.

manono, due to the sharpening value added & 20% bigger subtitles, it shouldn't be a problem on a 8.5GB DVD. For now is just some CCE tweaking, test different small samples and take into account the size of the whole project with the changes before encoding.

Manono is the name of my boat. I've never heard of Manolo. No offense intended to Manolo is he's reading.

Well the boat has the Manono Island to itself (which the addition of a parrot would not hurt & also learned it's a member of the coffee family Rubiaceae. I have heard the name\nickname (manolo) before, assuming it's derived from the Romance Languages.


Well guys thanks for the much appreciated help which came sooner rather than later, my bother will appreciated the end results because of your help, with the little time we have to work on this project, damn sure this information will be applied to the benefit of quality.

[Pinstripes23]

manono, due to the sharpening value added & 20% bigger subtitles, it shouldn't be a problem on a 8.5GB DVD.

Video?, manono meant in picture size it will be 20% bigger not in filesize. PAL vertical rez is 576 pixels so when you take the original .sup(subpic) file pic, you are muxing it over an NTSC vertical resolution pic, which is 480 pixels. Filesize stays the same. If that's what you meant by your comment.

You know I highly endorse the use of AvsP when using avisynth. It definitely makes my workflow faster. As far as resizing, you can tweak the b,c values if need be. You don't have to stick with 0,0.75. I think B=horizontal, and C=vertical. Although I don't see a difference when tweaking lanczos only in bicubic.

[Video?]

Video?, manono meant in picture size it will be 20% bigger not in filesize. PAL vertical rez is 576 pixels so when you take the original .sup(subpic) file pic, you are muxing it over an NTSC vertical resolution pic, which is 480 pixels. Filesize stays the same. If that's what you meant by your comment.

The differences in the resolution was\is understandable, but sometimes our own ignorance can be our biggest misinformation, "The original PAL subs will be 20% larger in the NTSC DVD (576/480=1.2)." I dismissed the information in the parenthesis. Thanks you for raising the question, to be honest I'm embarrass; again thanks for the VideoHelp guys.

[xmidt]

Hi there.

I'm having a problem, and i was hoping someone could give me an alternative. I tried using besweet and ac3machine for converting an AC3 file from PAL to NTSC. The synchronization is perfect, but there's a lot of noise in the new AC3. I just don't know how to remove it. Am I using some sort of wrong codec? Any help would be great.

Thanks, and sorry for my bad English.

[Pinstripes23]

Hi there.

I'm having a problem, and i was hoping someone could give me an alternative. I tried using besweet and ac3machine for converting an AC3 file from PAL to NTSC. The synchronization is perfect, but there's a lot of noise in the new AC3. I just don't know how to remove it. Am I using some sort of wrong codec? Any help would be great.

Thanks, and sorry for my bad English.

Is there a reason why you're converting the audio? Current preferred method these days you don't touch the audio, just the video. Convert the video at the same framerate as the source, and resize to NTSC rez. Then use dgpulldown 25 --> 29.97.

Here is Fulci's guide on the process - https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=300144

Well when I used to do the slowdown process as you're doing now, at first I used besweet to change the audio. And I noticed a lot of popping and clicking, so I finally just resorted to separating the audio to mono wavs and stretching each wav using an audio editor. Besweet's pal-to-ntsc audio conversion ain't all that good.

[xmidt]

Hi there.

I'm having a problem, and i was hoping someone could give me an alternative. I tried using besweet and ac3machine for converting an AC3 file from PAL to NTSC. The synchronization is perfect, but there's a lot of noise in the new AC3. I just don't know how to remove it. Am I using some sort of wrong codec? Any help would be great.

Thanks, and sorry for my bad English.

Is there a reason why you're converting the audio? Current preferred method these days you don't touch the audio, just the video. Convert the video at the same framerate as the source, and resize to NTSC rez. Then use dgpulldown 25 --> 29.97.

Here is Fulci's guide on the process - https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=300144

Well when I used to do the slowdown process as you're doing now, at first I used besweet to change the audio. And I noticed a lot of popping and clicking, so I finally just resorted to separating the audio to mono wavs and stretching each wav using an audio editor. Besweet's pal-to-ntsc audio conversion ain't all that good.

Thanks for your reply. I'm converting just the audio because I'm extracting the audio (it's a dubbed audio from an animated movie) from a PAL DVD and puting it on a HD-DVD rip at 23.976 fps. I just solved my problem: I had a previous conversion without GAIN. I checked the quality and i found out that it didn't have any sound glitches (noise).

Thanks again.

[FulciLives]

GOLDWAVE is pretty good at doing the PAL to NTSC audio conversion. Of course you have to have a PCM WAV audio file.

Easy-to-do if the original audio is not 5.1 AC-3 but if you have 5.1 AC-3 then I suggest DGPulldown otherwise you need to extract to 6 mono PCM WAV files and adjust each then put it back together again. Can be done with SOFT ENCODE and GOLDWAVE.

I haven't used BeSweet and/or AC-3 MACHINE in ages myself.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[xmidt]

Thanks FulciLives, I'll give it a try next week. Got another project in the same situation, and haven't started yet.

[xmidt]

It's me again

DGPpulldown doesn't work for me bacause i'm doing a 25 to 23.976 conversion and GOLDWAVE is just to much trouble for all the 6 audio streams i'm converting right now. Besweet and AC3 Machine are giving me a lot of "noise" in the converted stream...

I really need an easy conversion method that doesn't ruins the new streams

Thanks

[FulciLives]

It's me again

DGPpulldown doesn't work for me bacause i'm doing a 25 to 23.976 conversion and GOLDWAVE is just to much trouble for all the 6 audio streams i'm converting right now. Besweet and AC3 Machine are giving me a lot of "noise" in the converted stream...

I really need an easy conversion method that doesn't ruins the new streams

Thanks

When doing a PAL to NTSC conversion via the DGPulldown method you encode your PAL source by changing the resolution to a NTSC resolution (such as 720x480 instead of 720x576) but you leave it at 25fps thus creating a hybrid MPEG-2 file that is neither 100% NTSC nor 100% PAL. After you do your MPEG-2 encoding then you run the file through DGPulldown using the 25fps ---> 29.970fps option. A new MPEG-2 file is created (although no re-encoding is done) and this new MPEG-2 file will be 100% NTSC compliant while still being the same length (or running time) of the original PAL source which of course means you do NOT have to adjust the audio at all (although sometimes you may have to adjust the delay value).

If you feel you must go from 25fps to 23.976fps then the audio MUST be adjusted for the change in the length (or running time). The best way I have found to do this is to convert the AC-3 file into WAV files. If 5.1 then you get 6 mono WAV files. I use Soft Encode for this. Then I do the WAV length changing with GOLDWAVE and then put it all back together using Soft Encode. If done correctly the new AC-3 audio should sound just about as good as the original AC-3 audio.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[45tripp]

If you feel you must go from 25fps to 23.976fps then the audio MUST be adjusted for the change in the length (or running time).

He must, because he's pulling dubbed audio off a pal source to add to 23.976 hd dvd content.

I really need an easy conversion method that doesn't ruins the new streams

Besweet with ac3enc is rather old.
You might want to try avisynth with nicaudio and the aften encoder.
Use behappy.
You can get shon3i's latest behappy package here http://www.box.net/shared/nkihizx1dh
(required: net framework 2.0 and of course avisynth 2.56 or greater)
Open ac3 in behappy using ac3source(drc).
select timestretch,
select aften encoder

If you still get clipping you might consider uploading a source audio sample.

gl

[MrCleanAZ]

Hello to eveyone! Especially FulciLives and Manono.

I have been reading through the posts getting ready to attempt my first PAL to NTSC conversion, but before I do I have a couple of questions.

Has anyone done a conversion when there are subtitles and/or alternate language tracks involved? If so is the process very different?

I purchased some anime DVDs from China to watch with my sons, but we can only watch them on one of our DVD players. I would really like to convert them, but the audio and subtitles are pretty important.

I don't think I'll need a ton of hand-holding, just maybe tell me how far to go in the conversion process before I need to make an adjustment for my specifix situation.

Thanks for any and all help,

Mike - aka MrCleanAZ.

[manono]

Hi-

Has anyone done a conversion when there are subtitles and/or alternate language tracks involved? If so is the process very different?

I've done it with subs, but usually knock out any extra audio languages. If you keep the movie the same length by encoding at 25fps followed by DGPulldown set for 25->29.97fps, then no, the procedure is the same. The additional audio track and the subs can be used unchanged. You should be aware that the subs will be larger/taller when used for the NTSC DVD because they were originally for PAL (576/480=1.25), and therefore 25% bigger/taller when used for the NTSC DVD. It's probably not a problem for you. They can be made smaller, but the procedure may be more trouble than it's worth to you.

I don't think I'll need a ton of hand-holding, just maybe tell me how far to go in the conversion process before I need to make an adjustment for my specifix situation.

So you're sure these things are PAL, and not just NTSC for a different region? Hong Kong anime, for example, is almost always NTSC. And PAL anime is often converted from NTSC by field-blending. You had better make sure first that they're not field-blended and interlaced, before going through this, as this particular process won't work if they are.

[FulciLives]

I burn my subs in using the VobSub plug-in as illustrated in this thread: CLICK HERE

Of course manono will tell you never to do embedded subtitles 8)

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[MrCleanAZ]

Hi Manono and FulciLives,

Thank you for the information on the subtitles. It's cool with me if they are a little bit bigger - as long as I can read them and they are in synch. Again This is mainly to make it easier for when I am reading the subtitles to my kids, or watching with English audio turned on instead of Japanese (I bought the DVDs from China, but the content in Japanese).

Yes, I am sure the DVDs are PAL. I checked them using Nero InfoTool. Don't worry - I don't plan on using Nero for anything other part of my burning. From what I have read in everyone's posts it doesn't seem to have very good results in the end.

After FulciLives post my interest is piqued. What is the difference between embedded and non-embedded subtitles? Pros and cons?

Thanks!