PAL VHS to NTSC DVD

[wheezer210]

I want to convert some non-commerical PAL tapes to NTSC DVD using a set top recorder.

Once I get the DVD onto the computer that is no problem, I know how to convert the video from there, but what I need to know is when I record the tape to my set top with a NTSC VHS in the only thing I need to worry about resolution? or will frame rate be a factor?

[victoriabears]

Ok, for questions like this it really helps to know eher you live, even just the country,be nice if that was mandatory on this forum.

Onward........
If you live in North America and want to convert them to ntsc , I could understand, as pal recorders difficult to get there. Although here is a link to a good priced idea:-

http://www.sunpowerusa.com/rj100dvrw.html

this will take pal or ntsc input and record onto a dvd in either format.

Cheaper than getting a samsung converter vcr which is about $500.00 but more reliable.

Give the forum more info when you pose a question.

Thanks

[lordsmurf]

If it's just a few tapes, in the long run, it'd be cheaper just to pay a service to do the conversion work.

[wheezer210]

If it's just a few tapes, in the long run, it'd be cheaper just to pay a service to do the conversion work.

1- I live in the US

2-LS I really don't understand why it would be cheaper? These tapes were recorded off PAL TV...so if I put them in my US based VCR what will I see? moreover what will my dvd recorder see? I have already converted commerical PAL DVD's to an NTSC compliant DVD...and no, I don't mean just make it "region free" converting the framerate and resolution once it is on DVD is not the issue...can I get it to DVD with a set top recorder and a NTSC VCR? is my question.

[victoriabears]

As a Brit now living in Canada, i always feel that those wishing to do pal/ntsc conversions make it too complicated, and Wheezer you have done something I have never and would never attempt, converting framerate and resolution-all blows my mind.

You must grasp the basics if I may say so.

1: Pal vhs will play in pal vcr's or multi standard vcr's

2: Ntsc vhs will play in ntsc vcr's or multistandard vcr;s

In both 1&2 they will ouput the same standard at the source.

VCR's like the samsung 5000W will CONVERT from/to pal/ntsc and output what you tell it to.

If you have pal vhs tapes and no pal vcr you have a struggle to begin with, the computer capture device (Mostly) will capture in whatever standard you feed it with, if you have a pal vcr, just capture it to your computer, and do what you have already done, covert it to ntsc and burn your dvd's.

I have a great deal of practical experience of this , as I have 100's of pal vhs tapes.

DVD's are a whole different aspect, and as many have said, the best/cheapest/simplest solution is to get a dvd player that is or can be made region free, and can play ntsc/pal dvd's and output in both for whichever TV you have. Keep it simple.

Very very happy to help.

[lordsmurf]

If it's just a few tapes, in the long run, it'd be cheaper just to pay a service to do the conversion work.

1- I live in the US

2-LS I really don't understand why it would be cheaper? These tapes were recorded off PAL TV...so if I put them in my US based VCR what will I see? moreover what will my dvd recorder see? I have already converted commerical PAL DVD's to an NTSC compliant DVD...and no, I don't mean just make it "region free" converting the framerate and resolution once it is on DVD is not the issue...can I get it to DVD with a set top recorder and a NTSC VCR? is my question.

No. Put the tapes in your player. You'll just see garbage.
Unless you have PAL equipment, no go.

Getting analog PAL conversion equipment will run, at minimum, about $325 US. Again, if it's just a couple of tapes, pay somebody. If it's copyrighted material, you're probably stuck paying the big bucks for equipment, as you'll have to do it yourself.

[CaZeek]

Just to make sure you understand the main problem, wheezer, it is getting a VCR to play your PAL tapes. An NTSC VCR will not be able to output a PAL VHS properly. It's great that you are able to do the conversion once the video is captured, but it's a lot easier (and cheaper) to play a PAL DVD in the US on a US-found DVD player than it is to play a PAL VHS tape on a VCR found in the US. That's why VHS tapes are so much more difficult to convert. Unfortunately you don't have a VHS-Drive in your computer, I'm assuming? =)

[lenti_75]

you have 2 options

1. buy a multi region VCR, play that tape and convert it into ntsc

2. capture that tape with a PAL vcr into your pc, convert, then burn it.

and NOOOO, you can not watch that pal tape with a ntsc vcr....NO WAY

[JamesyBHOY]

I too am having a similar problem, Ntsc Vhs to Pal Dvd, but I won't highjack the guy's thread, My question was regarding a Samsung Sv-5000W multi format Vcr that was mentioned by victoriabears does anybody have one or know if there are limitations on the size of the Tv the converted format Tapes can be watched back on, Just I was reading these reviews on it

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/reviews/475499183


The first one says about only being good for a 20/25" Tv, presumably after being converted from one format to the other, I am thinking of getting a 50 odd inch Toshiba Rear projection Tv, So that's over twice the size of what the reviewer says & don't want/can't afford to be stuck with a £350 Vcr that is of no use at all other than for watching on my portable, So hopefully someone can put me on the right track, Thanks..

[Justin42]

It's not like it won't work, it's just you do lose quality converting from PAL to NTSC. It's inevitable. The bigger the TV, the more obvious the flaws.

I will say the 5000W has been horribly unreliable in my experience, and in the experiences of a few other people I've spoken to. My first one was DOA (well, it worked for about 10 minutes). My second one seemed fine, and right after the end of warranty, the picture started developing a weird "streaking", like thousands of little comets shooting all over the picture. It came and went; I took it to a very reputable guy locally who made it work again, but after about 5-10 hours of use, it started doing it again.

I talked to someone else who said that his does the same, and his research led him to think it's some sort of head mistracking problem (beyond what the tracking controls can accomodate). It seems like if you pop a tape in and out about 5-10 times, you'll get lucky and maybe it will be usable. I did a LOT of digging in Google and finally found a bunch of further reports of exactly the same symptoms.

Worst $350(ish, after some gift cards) I ever spent on a doorstop.

Of course, I don't know a "better" unit, but I have been very unhappy with my 5000W.

[FulciLives]

Buy a multi-system VHS VCR. I suggest you get a 6-head Hi-Fi Stereo Toshiba.

Here is a website where you can get just such a Toshiba VCR for the low price of $149.99
http://www.world-import.com/

Now capture that to your computer. You will have a PAL capture. I suggest you do an AVI capture. Either use a PCI type card with the HuffyUV codec (or the PICVideo MJPEG codec) or use something like the Canopus ADVC-100 or DataVideo DAC-100.

Now you can convert that captured AVI file to a NTSC MPEG-2 DVD spec file using Avisynth and CCE (preferred by me) or TMPGEnc Plus.

It really isn't that hard ... just not for a newbie. But if you know how to capture and convert NTSC using AviSynth and CCE or TMPGEnc Plus etc. then you can do the PAL to NTSC conversion.

This method (play back as PAL and capture as PAL then convert to NTSC on the computer) works really well and will give you better picture quality in the end than using an external PAL to NTSC converter.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[lordsmurf]

but after about 5-10 hours of use,

Continuous use?

If so..... DUH! That's the max for pretty much any piece of consumer or prosumer equipment. It overheats after about 5 hours, and all hell breaks loose. This is usually when tapes get "eaten" by a VCR.

If not .... I don't know.

[Justin42]

No, not continuous. On and off over the course of about a month, converting an hour tape here, 30 minutes there, etc.

[Justin42]

Buy a multi-system VHS VCR. I suggest you get a 6-head Hi-Fi Stereo Toshiba.

Here is a website where you can get just such a Toshiba VCR for the low price of $149.99
http://www.world-import.com/

Hrrm, I had been thinking of doing this for quite a while but had never thought of just capturing it on the computer and doing the conversion. Is the Toshiba VCR pretty good? It's definitely a bit of a plus for it that you're the one doing the mentioning of brands. Why do you recommend that one in particular (versus other brands)? Just curious, for $149 it is very tempting to try.

[FulciLives]

Buy a multi-system VHS VCR. I suggest you get a 6-head Hi-Fi Stereo Toshiba.

Here is a website where you can get just such a Toshiba VCR for the low price of $149.99
http://www.world-import.com/

Hrrm, I had been thinking of doing this for quite a while but had never thought of just capturing it on the computer and doing the conversion. Is the Toshiba VCR pretty good? It's definitely a bit of a plus for it that you're the one doing the mentioning of brands. Why do you recommend that one in particular (versus other brands)? Just curious, for $149 it is very tempting to try.

Because I have an old 8-head (no longer made) Toshiba that is a multi-system Hi-Fi VHS and that thing kicks ass and the older model USA models were 6-head Hi-Fi VHS and kicked ass.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[studtrooper]

If it's just a few tapes, in the long run, it'd be cheaper just to pay a service to do the conversion work.

Gee. That sounds strikingly similar to the work I gave FulciLives almost 3/4 of a year ago... You know, I still haven't got my stuff yet? :P