Can I convert an NTSC DVD to a PAL DVD?

[Zippity]

I received two motor sport NTSC DVD's in the mail the other day which I would like to convert to PAL.

Unfortunately, one of the DVD's was not available in PAL format so I opted for NTSC, knowing that I could play both formats on my Sony Hard Disc/DVD Recorder.

When I attempted to play one of the DVD's on my desktop PC, my PowerDVD programme alerted me to the fact that I was about to change play zones and that by doing so, I only had 3 more changes left. Of course when I went to play a PAL DVD later in the day, I was told that I was down to 2 zone changes

First, can I change/over-ride the PowerDVD zone settings, and secondly, is it possible to convert DVD formats?

Any assistance or constructive suggestions will be very much appreciated.

I have DVD Patcher, TMPGEnc DVD Author v1.5, DVD Shrink 3.2 and 1Click DVD Copy Pro available for use if needed

[Baldrick]

1. Yep, you can use a software like anydvd, dvd43 to get rid of the region zone changes.

2. Yes, it's possible but it's not worth it if now your sony supports it... See http://www.google.com/custom?domains=videohelp.com&sitesearch=videohelp.com&safe=off&q...ORID%3A1&hl=en

[Zippity]

I use DVD43 to remove the region zones, but only when I am copying PAL DVDs.

But I cannot use that same programme to stop the zone changes being "clicked up"" when I use PowerDVD

The reason I want to copy/convert the 2 NTSC DVDs is because I want to add them to my extensive PAL DVD motor sport library.

[jman98]

Ripping a DVD removes ALL region checks. Yes, even for PowerDVD. Use another program if DVD43 can't do this. DVD FabHD Decrypter (free) can do this.

There might be firmware for your DVD drive that can restore the changes you already made, but you'll have to search.

Yes, it is possible to convert DVDs between PAL and NTSC in either direction, but I don't recommend it. You won't be able to convert the menus, just the video. We have many guides in our Guides section on doing this. Converting NTSC to PAL is almost never necessary as almost all DVD players sold in PAL countries can play NTSC video.

[jagabo]

Use a player that ignores DVD region codes. MPCHC, VLC, KMPlayer...

[Zippity]

Thanks jagabo - downloading the latest version of VLC resolved my playback issues. PowerDVD has been relegated to the back room

jman98 - isn't ripping the same thing as copying? I has not copied my DVD so that I could play it back on PowerDVD. I was playing an original NTSC DVD (I reside in a PAL user country) and was running out of zone change options.

Are you saying that I could/should have been able to use DVD43 to change the region zone of my player on my PC? If so, how?

[jman98]

"Ripping" means to copy from either CD or DVD media to your hard disk and decrypt if necessary for DVD copying.

I know absolutely nothing about DVD43 except to say that I have heard of it. I don't know what it does or how it works. All I wanted to say was that if you ripped/copied your DVD to your hard drive, you should not have had PowerDVD complain about the region. Your post was unclear as to what you did, at least to me. I'm not at all saying what your last question asks about. I am only saying that ripping removes region coding to the copy on your hard drive (the "ripped" copy). You can then, if you wish, reburn this copy to DVD and it will be region free.

[jagabo]

As I understand it DVD43 is a filter that sits between the DVD drive and Windows. It decrypts and changes the region code as it passes data from the drive to windows and/or an application. So a player never sees the real region code on the DVD and always gets unencrypted data.

[MysticE]

I have DVD Patcher, TMPGEnc DVD Author v1.5, DVD Shrink 3.2 and 1Click DVD Copy Pro available for use if needed smile.gif

Seeing as you have DVD Shrink 3.2 you could try it (although it may not work on newer DVDs). As was mentioned it will rip, remove protection schemes and Region coding.