MPEG Encoder converts PAL to NTSC

[christopheramos]

I've been encoding/frameserving from Virtualdub into MPEG Encoder. My source file is .avi and is PAL. I use the drop down menu on the main screen of MPEG Encoder to convert the file to NTSC.

This appears to work, better than any other PAL to NTSC conversion program I have tried. But when I play the MPEG-2 file back in Windows Media Player or Windows Media Player Classic, the video appears smaller in NTSC format than it was when I played it in PAL format.

Is this normal? Will there be a problem with the display when I put these files on a DVD and play them on my standalone DVD player?

Thanks!

[manono]

Hi-

...the video appears smaller in NTSC format than it was when I played it in PAL format. Is this normal?

Yes, NTSC has lower resolution than does PAL. NTSC is 720x480 and PAL is 720x576. If 16:9, when resized, NTSC is 854x480 and PAL is 1024x576.

Will there be a problem with the display when I put these files on a DVD and play them on my standalone DVD player?

Not if you did it right, there won't.

[christopheramos]

Hmmmmm. Okay, I guess my next question is: in terms of quality, should I just leave the video in PAL format, so long as my standalone DVD player can play PAL DVDs? I want to shoot for the best quality possible.

By the way, the .avis are 4:3 and not 16:9 (if that makes a difference).

Thanks!!!
Chris

P.S. But in PAL, it seems that I have to deal with those crappy "padded" boarders around the video, which sucks. What do you do, crop them???

[manono]

Hi-

Oh, my mistake then. I completely overlooked that you clearly said the source was AVI. I assumed you were talking about PAL DVDs vs NTSVC DVDs. Then I have no idea why the NTSC DVD would have a smaller window than the source AVI, unless the AVI has a large resolution, or you've set your player to increase the default size. Some can be set to open at 200% and the like.

in terms of quality, should I just leave the video in PAL format, so long as my standalone DVD player can play PAL DVDs?

I don't know. Up to you. Usually you're increasing the resolution. when going from AVI to DVD. Even a large 640x480 AVI just keeps the 480 pixel height for NTSC, and doesn't gain anything by being encoded for PAL DVD. Such resolutions as 512x384 are much more common in my experience, and when going to full D1 DVD don't gain detail or sharpness whether for NTSC or PAL.

But in PAL, it seems that I have to deal with those crappy "padded" boarders around the video, which sucks. What do you do, crop them???

Not just PAL. The high end NTSC DVD company, Criterion, has started windowboxing their DVDs, saying that they'll play better on 4:3 TV sets because of overscan. No, I don't crop it away. The resolution is already lost. Cropping away the black and then resizing also incurs even greater quality loss when reencoding. No, I just leave them alone.

Sorry I wasn't much help with your initial question.