PAL VHS to DVD

[vidblue]

Hello,

Does anyone know a region free combo recorder to copy PAL VHS to DVD?


Thanks

[DB83]

Do you mean that the VHS is copy-protected ? No combo recorder can handle these.

PS There is no such thing as a region-free combo.

[vidblue]

No the VHS is not copy protected. I guess region free is not applicable for VHS tape? If that's the case, I think I would need a combo recorder to copy the vhs to a DVD. Can someone suggest a good recorder to do this?

Thanks

[manono]

Combo recorders produce pretty crappy DVDs. You'd get better results with a good VCR feeding into a DVD recorder.

You're in a PAL country with PAL tapes wanting to produce PAL DVDs, right?

[vidblue]

Ah didn't know that about combo recorders. NTSC format here but I want to create a DVD out of PAL VHS

[orsetto]

There is no "easy" one box solution for PAL vhs to NTSC dvd dubbing. Combo recorders only do a straight-across dub to the same format (PAL>PAL or NTSC>NTSC).

You would need to connect a PAL vcr to a PAL>NTSC signal converter box, and the box to an NTSC dvd recorder or PC with video inputs.

Or, if you can find one of the old multi-system VCRs with built-in PAL>NTSC conversion made by Samsung or Panasonic, you could connect such a VCR directly to an NTSC recorder or PC.

Or, you could connect a PAL vcr to a PC with video inputs, and use various software tools to do the NTSC conversion.

The links above are for info purposes only, to give ideas of what to look for. Better prices are available if you hunt around, but you'll spend at least $100 on a converter box + PAL vcr, or $200 for a converting vcr. If you only have a handful of PAL tapes to convert, you might want to just hand the job off to a service such as this (there are many others).

[manono]

NTSC format here but I want to create a DVD out of PAL VHS

That's what I do, but not with combo recorders or even DVD recorders. Your best bet may be to capture the PAL VHS tape to the computer and then use a different program to make the DVD, one such as AVSToDVD.

Converting PAL vhs to NTSC was never pretty: don't expect fantastic quality.

I don't know why you say that. The results should be as good (or better, given you're beginning with the higher resolution PAL VHS tape) as doing a straight NTSC tape to NTSC DVD.

A decent conversion box or converting vcr will do an adequate job, but there's usually some loss of detail and some added artifacts.

While investigating this I actually wasted good money on a conversion box. The results were horrible. Maybe there are good ones out there but, in spite of the claims that it was the best (but not as good as the one to which you linked), I'd never go that route again. This is the one:

http://www.world-import.com/cmd1500.htm

[vidblue]

[QUOTE=manono;2269610]

NTSC format here but I want to create a DVD out of PAL VHS

That's what I do, but not with combo recorders or even DVD recorders. Your best bet may be to capture the PAL VHS tape to the computer and then use a different program to make the DVD, one such as AVSToDVD.


Thanks manono. Would you mind me to refer me an info link to understand how to capture VHS to the computer?

[hech54]

Or, if you can find one of the old multi-system VCRs with built-in PAL>NTSC conversion made by Samsung or Panasonic, you could connect such a VCR directly to an NTSC recorder or PC.

The VCRs in these links WILL WORK....but they are not "multi-system" VCRs....they are "converting" VCRs.
PAL VCRs are multi-system VCRs. You still need an in-line converter with a VCR listed as "multi-system".

[hech54]

That's what I do, but not with combo recorders or even DVD recorders. Your best bet may be to capture the PAL VHS tape to the computer and then use a different program to make the DVD, one such as AVSToDVD.

There is nothing wrong with a good DVD recorder. Your problem is going to be a PAL tape in NTSC-Land.

[manono]

That's what I do, but not with combo recorders or even DVD recorders. Your best bet may be to capture the PAL VHS tape to the computer and then use a different program to make the DVD, one such as AVSToDVD.

There is nothing wrong with a good DVD recorder. Your problem is going to be a PAL tape in NTSC-Land.

Hehe, a quotation of mine but with vidblue's name on it.

I don't understand. He needs a PAL (or maybe a multi-system) VCR and a way to capture the signal to the computer. No different from doing it all in NTSC. If ncessary he can buy what he needs on UK's Ebay if he doesn't already have a PAL-playing VCR. That said, I know nothing about any PAL DVD recorders as I never had any intention of using one.

I'm in the US and have two PAL VCRs and all that was needed to get them to work was to change the plug. I'm using a Canopus ADVC-300 to capture although any Canopus box will work. Or he can get a USB capture device or a capture card, making sure they'll capture from PAL sources. An early mistake of mine was thinking they all capped from both kinds of sources.

[hech54]

I don't understand. He needs a PAL (or maybe a multi-system) VCR and a way to capture the signal to the computer. No different from doing it all in NTSC. If ncessary he can buy what he needs on UK's Ebay if he doesn't already have a PAL-playing VCR. That said, I know nothing about any PAL DVD recorders as I never had any intention of using one.

Yes but you said "multi-system VCRs with built-in PAL>NTSC conversion". VCRs listed as "multi-system" do not convert. That is what I was addressing.

Hehe, a quotation of mine but with vidblue's name on it.

My fault. I fixed the original post.

And as far as PAL DVD recorders goes....quite a few DVD recorders will record either PAL or NTSC(via any other connection besides the tuner of course) to a blank DVD. My old Philips DVDR-985 had that capability.

[orsetto]

hech54 brought up a good point which I should have been more clear about: the two distinct types of "multi-system" PAL/NTSC vcr.

The "converting" models made by Panasonic and Samsung have buil-in circuits that will convert any tape to any output signal: you can play a PAL tape and it will output as NTSC, or vice-versa. This comes in handy to do simple conversions directly to another VCR, or to a standalone DVD recorder, because the connection flow is analog and the formats must match for that to work. However, you pay more- often a lot more- for the built-in converter.

Standard "non-converting" multi-system VCRs are simply "PAL vcrs," as hech54 posted. Most ordinary PAL vcrs can also play NTSC and some forms of SECAM. The difference is they cannot convert their signal outputs, so they are much less expensive: a PAL tape played in an ordinary PAL vcr outputs a PAL signal. In order to dub PAL from such a vcr to an NTSC recorder, you would need to add an external conversion box between the two. This makes sense if you already own a standard PAL vcr and just need to add the conversion feature. Unfortunately many of the affordable conversion boxes perform poorly, which is why I said such conversions often come out disappointing. If you can borrow, rent or buy one of the pricier self-converting VCRs, you'll get better results than from most of the >$200 external boxes.

There was some discussion above about using PAL dvd recorders, but these would not necessarily help if a NTSC dvd is needed. Its true most PAL-oriented dvd recorders can play and record in NTSC as well, but they cannot internally convert the incoming signal to a different format (line input from a PAL vcr will result in a PAL dvd using i.e. the Panasonic EH59 or Pioneer DVR-550). If you have the unit set to NTSC mode and attempt to record or pass thru a PAL signal, it will usually flash a "line input system mismatch" warning.

To manono's comment: Doing the conversion directly on the analog signal like this usually degrades it, because the circuits soften the video and tend to leave a few lines of junk video at the bottom of the NTSC frame. I have seen this many many times during the years I was converting PAL tapes from Scandinavia and Italy to NTSC for friends. Professional grade converter boxes minimize the artifacts, as do the more expensive converting vcrs, but all I had access to were the $250 boxes from B&H, etc, typical of the '90s (and today): barely adequate.

You are using a completely different workflow, manono, which captures the unadulterated original PAL signal directly to your PC as digital PAL, then using AVStoDVD to create a converted NTSC dvd. This results in *much* better quality dvds, but requires more work and is not as idiot-proof as using a converting vcr + dvd recorder. There is also the risk of AVStoDVD gagging on the conversion process, which has happened to me more times than I can count. When it works, its fantastic, but with some PAL files on some computers, AVStoDVD just hangs when it tries to create an NTSC dvd. If or when that happens, if you're clueless about how to troubleshoot the issues, you'll wish you had gone the analog route instead.

Each solution has its pros and cons, depending on the skills and hardware available. Ordinary PAL vcr connected to a decent PC video system will yield the best results if you know your way around the files and software. If you'd prefer self-contained automated consumer boxes, get a converting vcr and connect it to a dvd recorder. And don't overlook the option of just paying a service instead: DIY conversions only make financial sense if you have dozens to do and already own a PAL vcr and video-capable PC or dvd recorder. If you don't own any of the gear, and this is more of a one-time task involving less than a dozen tapes, avoid the headaches and hand them off to a video conversion service in any big city @$ 20 per tape-to-dvd.

[manono]

Yes but you said "multi-system VCRs with built-in PAL>NTSC conversion".

Now you're attributing something to me that orsetto said.

[vidblue]

Thanks for your detailed information and clarification guys. I think tape-to-dvd option wouldn't work as the tape I've is a copyright movie ( rare one and no DVD I could find ). So I'm looking for an easy and simple option if possible.

[manono]

You are using a completely different workflow, manono, which captures the unadulterated original PAL signal directly to your PC as digital PAL, then using AVStoDVD to create a converted NTSC dvd. This results in *much* better quality dvds, but requires more work and is not as idiot-proof as using a converting vcr + dvd recorder.

Your post has been heavily edited now but I wasn't under the impression you were referring to the results of doing the conversion with a standards converter box in the chain, but all PAL to NTSC conversions, even if done 'right'. If I misunderstood then I apologize. I suggested AvsToDVD as a good program that does the conversion correctly, but don't use it myself and nothing has ever 'gagged' while converting.

[manono]

Thanks for your detailed information and clarification guys. I think tape-to-dvd option wouldn't work as the tape I've is a copyright movie ( rare one and no DVD I could find ). So I'm looking for an easy and simple option if possible.

Then you've upped the difficulty and expense. I think now you'll need a full-frame TBC in the chain, something that'll cost $200 or more. Others will know more about that as the PAL tapes I work with aren't macrovision protected.

Perhaps if you identified the film the detectives on the site could get to work tracking down another source for it.

[hech54]

Yes but you said "multi-system VCRs with built-in PAL>NTSC conversion".

Now you're attributing something to me that orsetto said.

Wow. One bad quote on post 8(?) and everything turns to shit.
WTF happened? I'm going back to bed.

[vidblue]

My apologies guys for the confusion.

I'll give a shot to capture if I could and if it doesn't work then just live with what I've.


Appreciate your time and replies.