Converting NTSC to PAL

[camcorderlover]

Hello, I would like to know if anyone can tell me how exactly a VCR can convert the signal from NTSC video tapes for display on a PAL TV?

I have 2 VCRs which are capable of this, one an AKAI model and the other a later JVC model (which gives a great picture - I have it hooked up to my DVD recorder).

The interesting thing is, 2 problems with tapes and playback were solved by converting them from NTSC to PAL.

I'll spell them out clearly to avoid confusion the best I can.

1) I played an NTSC tape on NTSC equipment I have (a TV and a VCR) and the top of the picture was Skewing - I mentioned this in a previous post, what I didn't mention was that when I tried the same tape in a PAL VCR which can play NTSC, this problem was mostly solved.
could the conversion have solved the skewing problem at the same time? That's interesting.

2) I played a PAL tape on a VCR capable of PAL and NTSC. The playback gave me faint diagonal lines on the picture WHEN the VCR was directly under the TV. But...when an NTSC tape was played on the same vcr in the same position, there was no problem at all in the picture.

The conversion of NTSC to PAL seemed to solve the problem.


I suppose what I am asking here is what is the process of converting NTSC to PAL and is there any way doing so could solve problems with the playback?

Sorry again if that's complicated, but I would love to know if anyone's got any knowledge of this.

Yours sincerley
Jack

[DB83]

The VCR does NOT convert the signal from NTSC to PAL other than the colour carrier. That is no frame rate conversion.

It outputs a quasi NTSC signal commonly known as PAL60

The tv has the circruitry to allow for a steady picture.

[newpball]

Converting NTSC to PAL is generally it not worth it, and real time conversion is one step above absurd. Furthermore most of the time it is totally unnecessary.

Even a perfect VCR performs sub standard SD quality, going from 30p to 25p is not trivial and will introduce a lot of mess.

Best thing to do is to simply capture the video lossless, deinterlace it to 60p, render it with a good bitrate and be done with it.

[camcorderlover]

The VCR does NOT convert the signal from NTSC to PAL other than the colour carrier. That is no frame rate conversion.

It outputs a quasi NTSC signal commonly known as PAL60

The tv has the circruitry to allow for a steady picture.

Thanks for the information.

Please can you tell me what is the difference between the PAL we normally use and PAL60?

Sorry, I'm new to this.

[DB83]

The difference is basically as you quoted me. For more clarity here is an extract from the wiki artictle

'A "PAL 60" signal is similar to an NTSC (525/30) signal, but with the usual PAL chrominance subcarrier at 4.43 MHz (instead of 3.58 as with NTSC .'

Another way of quoting it is NTSC 443 whereas pure NTSC (the US version) is NTSC 358

Playing the tape back on to a UK tv, you do not have to worry about it. It only matters when you come to, or attempt to, capture the NTSC tape on to your PC since many capture devices do not support PAL60.

The full article is here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PAL

[Skiller]

Even a perfect VCR performs sub standard SD quality, going from 30p to 25p is not trivial and will introduce a lot of mess.

I don't know of any analog tape format that stores frames rather than fields but you're the expert.

[newpball]

Even a perfect VCR performs sub standard SD quality, going from 30p to 25p is not trivial and will introduce a lot of mess.

I don't know of any analog tape format that stores frames rather than fields but you're the expert.

Good point, should of course be 30i to 25i.