NTSC to PAL

[loopyloops]

I'm going to Cannes on Friday for a convention and some folks from our office have a presentation they're bringing with them on DVD. They're concerned the players available will only be PAL and have asked me to make them some copies - a few NTSC, a few PAL. Is there an easy way to convert NTSC to PAL? Among other software, I have Nero 7.

Update - actually - though I wouldn't mind knowing how to convert - I have both a pal version and an ntsc version. So, I guess my question is how do I copy a pal DVD?


I just imaged it with image tool classic - can I just burn that and, voila, I have a pal DVD?

Yikes, really strange, but I get no sound from the DVD or the image - and it works on my co-workers Mac. Also, mp2, divx files, etc. are up and running sound wise on my comp. There wouldn't be a reason a pal DVD wouldn't produce sound on my comp., is there? Actually, upon further testing, the sound issue is only with WMP 10 - Nero Show time is fine, so is MP Classic.

Just found that this problem is specific to my laptop - what could be missing/corrupt? It's only a problem with PAL DVDs - others play fine. On my desktop, no PAL sound prob.

Found out another thing. If I try to play the DVD or mounted image, no sound - but, if I unmount the image, and then navigate to the iso with wmp10 and open it, I get a message re: how I might be able to play it but it doesn't recognize the format, etc. Anyway, it plays fine.

[setarip_old]

This seems to be the only residual question from your post:So, I guess my question is how do I copy a pal DVD?
I just imaged it with image tool classic - can I just burn that and, voila, I have a pal DVD?Yes...

[Sir Didymus]

Also, please consider here in Europe the large majority of standalone players AND tv sets are perfectly able to reproduce NTSC DVDs... under the condition that the discs are enabled for region 2...

So, my suggestion (apart exceptions, of course, due to specific circumstances) is never converting NTSC --> PAL

[loopyloops]

Also, please consider here in Europe the large majority of standalone players AND tv sets are perfectly able to reproduce NTSC DVDs... under the condition that the discs are enabled for region 2...

So, my suggestion (apart exceptions, of course, due to specific circumstances) is never converting NTSC --> PAL

As this is not a commercial DVD, does the region matter?

[bcn_246]

Dont convert NTSC<>PAL unless you have to. Not only will you make jerky playback due to framerate convertions, you will also lose clarity as you will have to resize the video's height (480<>576). I only convert framerates/resolotions when I have to produce a video to be played back on a player in the UK that may not have NTSC playback, for example when I give DVDs to my friends.

If the DVD has a region set it will still matter, home made or not. I suggest you read/burn the DVDs with DVD Decrypter on ISO mode to remove any region codes.

Ben :)

[loopyloops]

Dont convert NTSC<>PAL unless you have to. Not only will you make jerky playback due to framerate convertions, you will also lose clarity as you will have to resize the video's height (480<>576). I only convert framerates/resolotions when I have to produce a video to be played back on a player in the UK that may not have NTSC playback, for example when I give DVDs to my friends.

If the DVD has a region set it will still matter, home made or not. I suggest you read/burn the DVDs with DVD Decrypter on ISO mode to remove any region codes.

Ben :)


Thanks!! Are you saying that some media actually have the region set?

[jshumate]

Sir Didymus' answer isn't quite correct as region 0 DVDs (this means there is no region coding) will play fine on a region 2 player. So, region coding is not necessary. Region coding is not a requirement. I've seen DVDs from all over the world that didn't have any region coding on them. Every Criterion DVD I've ever seen had no region coding on it.

[Rockas]

Thanks!! Are you saying that some media actually have the region set?
Not that I know of... any way... there are multiple tools you can use to change or add a region to your DVD... I guess the easiest way will be IfoEdit - just load the Ifo files and click the "Region Free" button and then burn that baby :)

[Sir Didymus]

@jshumate

I wrote enabled for R2, not just "set to". It was intentional, and exactely for covering the condition you described. Anyway thanks for pointing it out.