Help converting and entire PAL DVD to an NTSC DVD (including menus, etc.)

[ElapheG]

I am looking for a way to convert the entire dvd, so it will play just like the original PAL DVD, menus, extras, the works, and play on a standard home DVD player that plays DVD-r.

To save time, I dont need to know how to rip the DVD or Shrink it to fit a DVD-r.

Nor do I need to know how to convert the VOB files to be NTSC compliant, unless it differs
from the standard method offered in the guides here.

I am also under the assumption that I would have to make all the VOB files NTSC compliant, not just the ones that contain the movie proper, and would use the same method as the main movie VOB files. If this is wrong, or another method must be used, I need to know that.

I have ifoedit096 so I can edit the ifo files, however there are some aspects it wont let me change. Like the frame rate in the program chain (see pic). So I am unsure how to proceed there.

I am not adverse to taking the converted VOBs and reauthoring the entire dvd as long as I can create a copy indistinguishable from the original pal video. I would need to aquire the relevent DVD authoring software, in most cases this is not a problem for me. Dont ask me how as I will plead the 5th on that. Either you understand what Im saying or you dont.

Any help is much appreciated.

Elaphe-G

[manono]

Hi-

The video portions, movie and extras, are pretty easy, if you have some knowledge of what you're doing, which you claim, but of which I'm dubious. The tricky part is the menu. If it's a static menu, and if you're willing to dismantle it and resize the BMPs, and then reuse them in something like DVDAuthorGUI or some other easy to learn authoring app, then maybe you can get the job done. NuMenu4U is supposed to be able to convert PAL menus to NTSC menus.

My own opinion is that if you have to ask how to do it, and don't know what's involved in doing it, then you're not ready to do it, and won't be able to do it, not with the requirements as stated. Just my opinion. Prove me wrong.

[ElapheG]

I never claimed to be an expert, I just told you what I already know how to do. Would you have prefered I let your waste you time telling me how to do what I already know how to do? For this particular project yes the menu is static, though it would be useful know both methods. Using a bitmap still is easy enough, the tricky part, or at least tricky for me, though in reality is probably simple, is how to make the selection buttons function like the original.

BTW
You wrote the following:

My own opinion is that if you have to ask how to do it, and don't know what's involved in doing it, then you're not ready to do it, and won't be able to do it, not with the requirements as stated. Just my opinion. Prove me wrong.

The problem with this argument is that it is a paradox. If I knew how to do it, and what was involved in doing it, I wouldn't need to ask, because Id already know the answer. How is it helpful to only ask questions you already know the answers to?

I may, or may not, be ready to do this. In truth, I believe in myself enough, and what I have done in the past, that if pointed towards water, I can figure out how to drink it.

Elaphe-G

[FulciLives]

You are better off just buying a region free DVD player that does PAL to NTSC conversion.

I consider myself an "expert" in PAL to NTSC but I don't dare try to redo the menu(s) ... in short it is just way too much of a pain in the ass.

I like the "look" of a PAL to NTSC done well using a computer ... despite the need to re-encode ... I think the results look a bit better than a DVD player doing the PAL to NTSC "on-the-fly" but again I only do the movie and sometimes the "extras" but never ever the menu(s).

So like I said ... for the whole 9 yards ... just buy a good region free DVD player that does PAL to NTSC conversion. Pioneer has the DV-393-S out now which can be bought for around $140 from a variety of on-line websites such as 220-Electronics

- John "FuciLives" Coleman

[ElapheG]

Thanks Fulci,

Only problem with that is the $140 I just bought a house, and between the mortgage and the loans to fix the central air (which cost 6Gs), and to buy appliances, and furnishings,and a Riding mower for mowing 3.4 acres, etc that $140 is meaningful. As I see it, and again Im no expert, if all the VOBs are compliant with NTSC, then the only thing left that has to be changed or redone would be the ifo files. I am thinking that therein lies the key to the whole thing. There must be somthing that would let you rewrite the entire ifo file. From scratch if necessary, using the original as a template or guide.

[FulciLives]

Well there is always IFOEdit ...

For a cheap region free DVD player that can do PAL to NTSC you might want to take a look at the Philips DVP-5140/37 which is being sold at WALMART for like $56 give or take. I think SEARS also carries it for around $60 or so.

It is a USA region 1 model but there is an easy-to-do hack in the DVD Hacks section of this website that will make it region free. It already has the PAL to NTSC ability built-in and to top it off it also plays DivX and XviD files.

Anyways that model Philips is about as cheap as it gets for something half way decent.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
That Philips does not have a S-Video output which some people are not happy about but it does have a standard composite output and even a component output and if your TV has a component input then that is better than S-Video anyways so really the lack of S-Video is no big deal unless you do not have a component input on your TV. You should be able to buy a component cable for $20 - $30 depending on where you buy it.