Convert m2v from NTSC to PAL (help)

[derekz]

I want to convert a .vob Ntsc format in a .m2v/ac3 Pal format.

Which software and which procedure advised to me?


thx

[MvB]

let's hope i don't forget anything...

make a dvd2avi - project file to feed in avisynth (i think dvd2avi will send a 23.976 fps stream if you have a non video dvd source, otherwise you have to deinterlace or remove the interlaced pictures from the stream in avisynth).

use avisynth to resize the movie to 720x576 (bicubic) and set the Framerate to 25 fps (AssumeFPS(25,true))

Use CCE or tmpgenc to create a PAL MPEG2 video stream. (Maybe you can strip the the original vobs before and load the m2v stream directly into tmpgenc using a template for PAL DVD, i don't know).

Use besweet to convert the NTSC-AC3 into a PAL-AC3 (works directly)

Use your favourite DVD Mastering software to create the PAL DVD.

That should do it.

[derekz]

with tmpgenc the result is flickering.
For Ac3 don't need conversion.

I've had a good result with Can0pus Pr0coder.

thx

bye

[Arky]

Personally, my take on this would be to avoid doing the NTSC-PAL conversion altogether. This is a classic problem in video-editing circles, and is absoluteley fraught with problems. The main problem is finding a frame-interpolation algorithm which can create a convincing conversion which does not flicker or 'jump'.

The only way to do this utterly convincingly is to use hardware costing a hundred thousand dollars or so. Not really an option. So what's your best bet if you are determined to tackle this conversion? Well, the best methods that I am aware of (although I have never used either of them myself (see my first sentence...) are the high-end motion interpolation plugins for Adobe After Effects (e.g RealViz stuff etc.), OR... Canopus ProCoder. ProCoder is probably the most viable for you, and while it ain't perfect by a long shot, it does have a reasonably good reputation for accomplishing the conversion acceptably. Mostly, the biggest problems occur where you are using fast action scenes. Anyway, try ProCoder and see how you go.

Good luck (you'll really need it, I'm afraid)

Let us know how you get on.


Arky ;o)

[Xesdeeni]

If your NTSC source was originally on film (i.e. is truly rogressive):

The first step is to reclaim the 23.976fps of video. Unfortunately, all DVDs are not created equal. In the best case, the video was encoded as progressive 23.976fps, and then the pulldown flags were added. In the worst case, it may have been completely telecined (i.e. 3:2 pulldown), and you will have to reverse this process to get back to the 23.976fps. There are a number of ways to do this, including plugins for AVISynth (see the AVISynth forum), and a built-in inverse telecine in TMPGEnc.

After the 23.976fps source has been reclaimed, the best process is to convert this to PAL the same way actual 24fps films are converted for the PAL market. In this case, they actually speed up the film to 25fps. The audio is also sped up. You can feed the video through AVISynth with an AssumeFPS(25), use VirtualDub "Source rate adjustment" section of the "Frame rate..." item in the "Video" menu to "Change to 25.000 frames per second," or you can use the "Do not frame rate conversion" checkbox in TMPGEnc. You will also need to scale the video (more than likely from 720x480 to 720x576).

BeSweet will allow you to speed up the audio. Use one of the GUIs, AC3Machine or BeSweetGUI.

If your NTSC source was originally on video (i.e. is truly interlaced):

Use the script I wrote to convert the video from NTSC to PAL (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35387). As Arky points out, it won't be perfect. However, the quality of this conversion is very close to the low-end ($10K) professional converters (and the price is right :D ).

You don't need to touch the audio at all.

Once you have created your video and audio, you can author your PAL DVD.

Xesdeeni

[derekz]

compliments for the script but it's difficult for me to use avisinth.

which is for you the best commercial software/plug-in for ntsc>pal converting ?

[Xesdeeni]

I actually created the scripted conversion because I didn't want to pay for a commercial piece of software to convert 1 or 2 videos for my own personal use. I don't have any of the commercial products, but from what I understand, my script is not quite as fast. However, the feedback I've gotten is that it is about as good as Canopus ProCoder.

I certainly wouldn't discourage you from buying a commercial product if that will work for you, and if you will be getting your money's worth. But if you will post what problems you have with AVISynth, I'm sure we can help you use that extremely useful tool (it's daunting at first, but once you get your first script in the bag, you'll love it!).

In some cases, whatever would keep you from using AVISynth (plus some other freely available tools) may keep you from using a commercial product as well.

For example, let's say your problem is that your MPEG encoder won't take an AVISynth script as an input. If a commercial product provides "frame serving" capabilities (I don't know if any commercial products do), your MPEG encoder wouldn't accept that input either. In both cases (and with the commercial product, you may not have a choice) you will need to write out an intermediate file that you will then encode.

So before you go buy a commercial product for a one-time project, give the script and AVISynth a try. We'll be happy to provide assistance.

Xesdeeni