Mastering an NTSC DVD from a PAL DVD

[Gil T Remnant]

I have some PAL format DVDs the content on which I'd like to use to burn to an NTSC DVD. I recognise that the vob files will need to be re-encoded to 29.97fps and I intend to use Handbrake to do this. Could someone advise me on the best way to preserve quality, aspect ratio etc during this process, as in which settings to use? Thanks!

[Kerry56]

Use different tools.

Vob2Mpeg to combine the vob files and produce an mpeg2 file without loss of quality.

Then use AVStoDVD to convert to PAL standards. AVStoDVD can make a DVD-video with or without a menu, so if you do want a menu, you'll need to click on the menu editor within the program. As a general rule, you'll get best quality output with the HC encoder that comes with AVStoDVD in a two pass configuration.

[Gil T Remnant]

Thanks. I presume that you meant convert to NTSC standard when you typed "convert to PAL standards."?

[Kerry56]

Thanks. I presume that you meant convert to NTSC standard when you typed "convert to PAL standards."?

Yes, sorry about that. It was a little early in the morning for me, and not quite coherent.

[Gil T Remnant]

No problem, easily done. Another quick query that you might be able to help me with: I have 2 DVD compilations of clips (PAL format, FWIW) but I'd like to select certain clips from each and make one "super" compilation. This would seem to require re-encoding, so what would you recommend as the best software/settings to rip the individual clips and remaster them to another DVD?

[manono]

This would seem to require re-encoding...

It shouldn't if they're DVD-compliant to begin with. And you're not converting to NTSC as in the earlier part of your thread.

There are a number of ways to accomplish what you want. One would be to use MPEG2Cut2 to cut out the sections you want from the VOB files. When done you'll have several MPGs. Open them in AvsToDVD to be reauthored as a single DVD.

[Gil T Remnant]

OK so without re-encoding how can I get items 1,3 and 5 from DVD 1 and items 4, 8 and 10 altogether on one disk without any loss. Everything starts and ends in PAL btw.

[manono]

I already explained how. Using MPEG2Cut2 and its [ and ] buttons you isolate the sections you want and save them as MPGs. If these 'items' you mentioned correspond to cells/chapters, you can use PGCDemux or DVDDecrypter in IFO Mode to save out the chapters as VOB files. Then open them one after the other in AvsToDVD to have them authored together, with a basic menu if you like.

I don't use the AvsToDVD myself so if you have any problem joining all your separate MPGs using AvsToDVD, I'm sure Kerry56 will be along to help.

[Kerry56]

If you bring in six different clips into AVStoDVD, they will be treated as separate titles. Each one will play independently of the others, so you should make a menu in order to select the one you want to play. There should be a Play All button on the menu if you want them to play one after the other.

If you want to merge the mpeg clips into one title, there is a joining tool within AVStoDVD. You'll need to import all of the clips, then click on Tools-->Join Source Titles, which will make an AviSynth script for this purpose. I've only used it once, but I would think the clips would need to have the same specs in order to be merged. The resulting DVD-video should play seamlessly, but you will have no way of selecting individual clips this way.

[Gil T Remnant]

Good stuff, guys. I'll use that info. Cheers!