NTSCFilm question

[sundi]

okay, i had a divx file in ntscfilm format. At least i assume this is the format it should be encoded in since it was in 23.9 fps. Now i encoded to to MPEG1 in this format. I did this at 1500 kb/sec first, but the audio was always out of sync and the picture kept speeding up to fit the audio (i'm guessing this is why the dvd play sped up the video). However, my computer played the disc fine. I have an APEX AD-703 dvd player. Now, i then encoded at the standard kb/sec rate for a VCD thinking that my player might not like higher bitrates. Once again, the player couldn't keep the audio and video in sync, but the computer could. i'm wondering what the problem is, i have made vcds successfully out of divx files before. Why does this one skip? I'm wondering if it is the NTSCFilm format that messes it up, i've never tried this before, maybe my player doesn't like that format. Is is okay to encode a file that is 23.9 fps to a file that's 29 (NTSC format). Would that help maybe. Any ideas would help a lot. Thanks.

[sundi]

After reading more, i've found that some of the guides do mention NSTCFilm issues. I use TMPGEnc to encode my divx files to vcd. I'm wondering, if i have a NTSCFilm file, how should i go about encoding it. First, which template do i use (NTSC or NTSCFilm). Next, what frame rate should i set it too, 23.97 or 29. Do i set the video source type to interlaced of non-interlaced? Also, do i check the 3:2 pulldown box. I really would appreciate it if someone would shed some light on these questions i have. i have read all the guides on the site and none of these options are outlined very much at all. Thanks

[mh2360]

When i'm doing a Divx conversion, I find that just using the appropriate template (29.9 = NTSC, 23.9 = NTSC Film) usually works out fine...

[sundi]

i know, i do select NTSCFilm for my template when i encoded the divx file to vcd. The problem is that my dvd player won't play the disc without messing up the auio/video sync constantly. (APEX AD-703) I was wondering if the 3:2 pulldow filter would help. The "TMPGEnc Exlplained" guide mentions that this plays back a 23.97 fps file at 29 fps. They say this is the best way to play a FILM file on a VCD. It also mentions using the Interlaced/Non-Interlaced opion, but i wasn't sure i understood which one to use. I have always used Non-Interlaced, but then again a lot of my VCDs won't play the audio and video in sync.

[pet_head]

Sundi,

The problem you are having lies with the Apex 703 and not your procedure. I have one of these players and they just do not seem to be fully compliant with NTSC film. No matter what I have tried, a Mpeg-1 stream at 23.97 fps always has that speeding up problem to sync the audio back with the video. Best advice is to either encode at full NTSC (29.97) or check out one of the guides on this site on how to convert to PAL. PAL may actually be your best option since it's frame rate (25 fps) is closer to NTSC Film and will waste less space generating interpolated frames like a full NTSC film conversion.

[adam]

I was wondering if the 3:2 pulldow filter would help.

The 3:2 pulldown flag is only used for mpeg2 and I do not even think its possible to use it on an mpeg1 stream.

Unfortunately not all dvd players can correctly play ntscfilm vcds, even though they are compliant. I've never heard of this happening on an Apex player though.

In order to test that your vcd is synced correctly play it in a software vcd, NOT Media Player. Only a software dvd player will perform the telecine on the video the same way your dvd player would. If you need a free program that can do this use STHVCD in the tools section, otherwise WinDVD is a good player. If it does play correctly than the problem probably does lie with your dvd player.

If this is the case you have 2 options. Either encode to pal like someone else suggested or encode to mpeg2 instead and make a SVCD. NTSCfilim SVCDS with the 3:2 pulldown seem to play on all SVCD compatible dvd players even though ntscfilm vcds don't.

[sundi]

thanks, all you information was very helpful and i will get right to exploring those options. Thanks again
Sundi