Is there a better way of making PAL VCDs?

[aknox]

I use this method to make PAL vcds. But it's very long-winded. Can anyone tell me a way to make it quicker, e.g. can any tools do several of these steps at once?

1. Decompress the audio using the tool that comes with AVI2CD
2. Extract the audio with virtualdub.
3. use WLA.exe (wave file length adjust) using ratio 23976 25000 to shorten the audio
4. Use AVI Frame rate changer to make it play at 25fps instead of 23.976
4. Use TMPGEnc to encode using my doctored AVIs and WAV file

[Mavrick]

I’m converting home videos to CD. I have managed over time to get it down to 4 easy steps.
I didn't want to buy more software, well at first anyway...

I just thought; “There HAS to be an EASY way to convert my VHS/Hi8 videos to CD, without using ump-teen programs and 1000 steps...”

So I made it a mission to capture, edit, and render all in one program with quality results; and without worrying about 1000 settings and filters.

After 3 Months of downloading and trying allot of programs I found the EASY way with Ulead’s Media Studio 6.5 DC! And to me it was worth every penny. After all I done dropped a few bucks for all the hardware to make it work.



Step 1: Capture the video as uncompressed AVI (this gives you the best quality to work with) as close to the final output resolution as you can. This will save encoding time if it does not have to resize it. In my case 480x480 or 640x480

Step 2: Edit the captured video. I use Media Studio Pro 6.5DC for this.

Step 3: Save the edited video in Media Studio as an MPEG2 480x480 with a VBR of 4000. Field order B first. (Make sure your player can play this).

Step 4: Burn the MPEG file(s) to CD with DVD Movie Factory. Make your menus etc…

That’s it!!



Works every time and I get video as good as the original… I would say its DVD quality. The Sound is ALWAYS in sync, and I never get micro-blocks, etc.

The down side is I can only get 20-30min per CD with a bit rate that high… but with this quality, I’ll take it! And for most home videos 20-30min is enough time for one "Theme".


You can use these steps for PAL, and for VCD, SVCD, CVDs as well
(just change the resolution and frame rate)


Software Used:

You can download a trial copy of Media Studio Pro from
http://www.ulead.com/msp/runme.htm
They also offer upgrade offers from other editing software – so you can get it as cheep as $129.00 for the DC version.

You can download a trial copy of DVD Movie Factory from
http://www.ulead.com/dmf/runme.htm
It’s about $45.00

[vitualis]

I wouldn't give up on your method aknox. It is still the best way of converting NTSC-FILM framerate video to PAL.

Most other "no-brainer" generalised methods (i.e., just plug it into "X" program's black box and hope for the best) will usually just do some sort of frame duplication / decimation for framerate conversions and some people (well, I certainly can) will see this as annoying regularly skipping / jerky motion.

I'm sure that the Ulead program is a fine program, but as they say, "jack of all trades, master of none". However, if you are happy with the compromise in functionality, then go for it.

Regards.

[bugster]

aknox, as vitualis said, your method looks fine, but the quastion has to be asked, do you REALLY need to convert to PAL. In Europe, nearly all DVD players will happily play NTSC disks ((S)VCD or DVD). They either output true NTSC signals, in which case you need a NTSC compatible TV (which many European TV Sets are) or they will output in PAL 60 (PAL signal but at 60 fields or 30 frames per sec). Again, you will need a TV that can handle this but most if not all European TV's will. I suggest you take a look at the capabilities of your player and maybe try a short test encode to see what it can handle. Could save you an awful lot of time.

I am in the UK and NEVER bother with NTSC->PAL conversion, well, not anymore, once I realised I could play NTSC disks without problems. How else could we play all those region 1 imported DVD's otherwise!

[Spaceboy]

I used to use the same method. Now I just use DVD2SVCD in combination with CCE encoder and select NTSC to PAL. Used it with loads of NTSC movies and it's worked perfectly for everything I've encoded. Smooth playback and no audio/video sync problems so far.