NTSC Menu on PAL DVD? (TMPGEnc DVD Author)

[Swan]

I've assembled a DVD with various (25) music videos with TMPGEnc DVD Author, latest version.
When I open VIDEO_TS.IFO in Ifoedit, I see that the menu is NTSC, even though all the videos are PAL and PAL is what I want:

VMG Overview:

Video Manager Menu attributes:
Video: MPEG-1 720x480 (NTSC) (NTSC 525/60) (4:3) (pan-scan & letterboxed)

Number of Title Play Maps: 1 (VMG_PTT_SRPT)
Title 1: VTS_01_*, TTN_1 (Angles: 1) (Chapters: 25) (Start Sector 8)

Number of Video Title Sets on this DVD: 1 (VMG_VTS_ATRT)
Title Set 1:
VTS_1 Video: MPEG-2 720x576 (PAL) (PAL 625/50) (4:3) (not specified perm.display)
VTS_1 Audio 1: Not Specified (Dolby AC-3) 2ch 48Kbps DRC


First play PGC: (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)

Menu Language Units: 1
Language Menu Unit 1: []

Language Menu Unit 1: []
Menu 1: [Title-Menu] (entry PGC) (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 2: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 3: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 4: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 5: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 6: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 7: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)

When I open VTS_01_0.IFO

VTS overview:

Menu attributes:
Video: MPEG-2 720x576 (PAL) (PAL 625/50) (4:3) (not specified perm.display)
Audio 1: Not Specified (Linear PCM) 2ch 48Kbps 16bps
SubPicture 1: Not Specified (2-bit rle )

Title Set (Movie) attributes:
Video: MPEG-2 720x576 (PAL) (PAL 625/50) (4:3) (not specified perm.display)
Audio 1: Not Specified (Dolby AC-3) 2ch 48Kbps DRC (ID: 0x80)

PGC_1 (program chain): [Title(TTN): 1] [01:40:42.04 / 25 fps] (Programs: 25) (Cells: 25) (uses VOB-IDs: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25)
[Ch 01] [Pg 01] [Cell 01] [V/C Id: 1/ 1] : time: 00:03:00.13 / 25 fps [Pos: 00:03:00.13] [Frames: 4513]
[Ch 02] [Pg 02] [Cell 02] [V/C Id: 2/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:03:53.13 / 25 fps [Pos: 00:06:54.01] [Frames: 10351]
[Ch 03] [Pg 03] [Cell 03] [V/C Id: 3/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:04:37.12 / 25 fps [Pos: 00:11:31.13] [Frames: 17288]
[Ch 04] [Pg 04] [Cell 04] [V/C Id: 4/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:03:57.12 / 25 fps [Pos: 00:15:29.00] [Frames: 23225]
[Ch 05] [Pg 05] [Cell 05] [V/C Id: 5/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:03:47.22 / 25 fps [Pos: 00:19:16.22] [Frames: 28922]
[Ch 06] [Pg 06] [Cell 06] [V/C Id: 6/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:03:57.18 / 25 fps [Pos: 00:23:14.15] [Frames: 34865]
[Ch 07] [Pg 07] [Cell 07] [V/C Id: 7/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:03:59.00 / 25 fps [Pos: 00:27:13.15] [Frames: 40840]
[Ch 08] [Pg 08] [Cell 08] [V/C Id: 8/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:03:53.00 / 25 fps [Pos: 00:31:06.15] [Frames: 46665]
[Ch 09] [Pg 09] [Cell 09] [V/C Id: 9/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:04:23.10 / 25 fps [Pos: 00:35:30.00] [Frames: 53250]
[Ch 10] [Pg 10] [Cell 10] [V/C Id: 10/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:04:23.08 / 25 fps [Pos: 00:39:53.08] [Frames: 59833]
[Ch 11] [Pg 11] [Cell 11] [V/C Id: 11/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:04:38.14 / 25 fps [Pos: 00:44:31.22] [Frames: 66797]
[Ch 12] [Pg 12] [Cell 12] [V/C Id: 12/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:04:02.09 / 25 fps [Pos: 00:48:34.06] [Frames: 72856]
[Ch 13] [Pg 13] [Cell 13] [V/C Id: 13/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:04:05.24 / 25 fps [Pos: 00:52:40.05] [Frames: 79005]
[Ch 14] [Pg 14] [Cell 14] [V/C Id: 14/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:03:52.16 / 25 fps [Pos: 00:56:32.21] [Frames: 84821]
[Ch 15] [Pg 15] [Cell 15] [V/C Id: 15/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:04:33.24 / 25 fps [Pos: 01:01:06.20] [Frames: 91670]
[Ch 16] [Pg 16] [Cell 16] [V/C Id: 16/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:04:30.12 / 25 fps [Pos: 01:05:37.07] [Frames: 98432]
[Ch 17] [Pg 17] [Cell 17] [V/C Id: 17/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:03:45.21 / 25 fps [Pos: 01:09:23.03] [Frames: 104078]
[Ch 18] [Pg 18] [Cell 18] [V/C Id: 18/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:03:20.02 / 25 fps [Pos: 01:12:43.05] [Frames: 109080]
[Ch 19] [Pg 19] [Cell 19] [V/C Id: 19/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:04:11.11 / 25 fps [Pos: 01:16:54.16] [Frames: 115366]
[Ch 20] [Pg 20] [Cell 20] [V/C Id: 20/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:03:53.00 / 25 fps [Pos: 01:20:47.16] [Frames: 121191]
[Ch 21] [Pg 21] [Cell 21] [V/C Id: 21/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:03:59.02 / 25 fps [Pos: 01:24:46.18] [Frames: 127168]
[Ch 22] [Pg 22] [Cell 22] [V/C Id: 22/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:03:44.05 / 25 fps [Pos: 01:28:30.23] [Frames: 132773]
[Ch 23] [Pg 23] [Cell 23] [V/C Id: 23/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:03:24.05 / 25 fps [Pos: 01:31:55.03] [Frames: 137878]
[Ch 24] [Pg 24] [Cell 24] [V/C Id: 24/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:04:34.02 / 25 fps [Pos: 01:36:29.05] [Frames: 144730]
[Ch 25] [Pg 25] [Cell 25] [V/C Id: 25/ 1] Layer Br.: time: 00:04:12.24 / 25 fps [Pos: 01:40:42.04] [Frames: 151054]

Menu Language Units: 1
Language Menu Unit 1: []

Language Menu Unit 1: []
Menu 1: [Root-Menu] (entry PGC) (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 2: [Chapter (PTT) Menu] (entry PGC) (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 3: [entry only] (Programs: 1) (Cells: 1) (uses VOB-IDs: 1)
Menu 4: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 5: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 6: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 7: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 8: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 9: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 10: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 11: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 12: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 13: [entry only] (Programs: 1) (Cells: 1) (uses VOB-IDs: 2)
Menu 14: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 15: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 16: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 17: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 18: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 19: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 20: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 21: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 22: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 23: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 24: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 25: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 26: [entry only] (Programs: 1) (Cells: 1) (uses VOB-IDs: 3)
Menu 27: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 28: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 29: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 30: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 31: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 32: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 33: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 34: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 35: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 36: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 37: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 38: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 39: [entry only] (Programs: 1) (Cells: 1) (uses VOB-IDs: 4)
Menu 40: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 41: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 42: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 43: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 44: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 45: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 46: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 47: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 48: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 49: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 50: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 51: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 52: [entry only] (Programs: 1) (Cells: 1) (uses VOB-IDs: 5)
Menu 53: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 54: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 55: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 56: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 57: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 58: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)
Menu 59: [entry only] (Programs: 0) (Cells: 0)

I know it's illegal to mix PAL and NTSC on a DVD.
Is this a known bug in TMPGEnc Author or is it OK?
If not, is there anything I can do to save the DVD, ot do I need to reauthor using a different software?
I didn't find anything here or on the TMPGEnc DVD author forums.

/Maria

[echooff]

Probably a dumb question but, when you started to author did you select pal or ntsc in dvd author?

[Swan]

Hmmm.. I didn't set whether to use PAL or NTSC at all. :)
I clicked "Create New Project", then, in the next window, clicked "Add file" and imported my PAL videos.
I see nowhere where one can set whether to make an NTSC or PAL DVD in TMPGEnc author. I think it detects what standard you want to make by what standard the videos have that are imported and that's it.
Perhaps it complains if one tries to add both PAL and NTSC clips? I don't know, because I can't try. But please tell me where you select to make a PAL or NTSC DVD.

[echooff]

It's been awhile since I've done a original install, lately just upgrades. Maybe I'm not remembering correctly but.... I seem to remember being prompted for a choice on install. Maybe it was another program. I'm not at home so I can't check.

[oddyseus]

I am experiencing the same thing even on originals. I suspect its a glitch in the authoring programs, assuming the whole of the world is NTSC :). Never gave me any trouble at all though.

[Swan]

oddyseus, it hasn't given me any trouble either, but what happens if one tries to play a PAL DVD with an NTSC "Video Manager Menu" in a strict PAL-only DVD player?
I am authoring something for a friend and I have no idea if his player can handle NTSC (although it is likely, as most players seem to be NTSC-capable).

In Ifoedit, would it be wrong to select VIDEO_TS.IFO, double-click on the "Video Manager Menu Attributes" and then, in the "Video Attributes"-window that pops up, change from NTSC to PAL and then save a new VIDEO_TS.IFO?

[Kika]

but what happens if one tries to play a PAL DVD with an NTSC "Video Manager Menu" in a strict PAL-only DVD player?

Did you ever see such a Player? I haven't and i guess, a "strict PAL-only DVD player" doesn't exist.

Even my Denon DVD3000, which is not a Region Free Player (it has a kind of Firmware-Selector for that) does not have any Problems with DVDs from TMPGEnc DVD Author.

[Swan]

Kika, you're probably right (as usual).:)
But even so.. Would it be OK to change from NTSC to PAL in the "Video Manager Menu" using Ifoedit? I mean, if one is really, really picky, would it be harmful to change it or would the resulting DVD be more close to the spec than before?

[Kika]

@Swan

Since i started working on DVDs, i have seen things like this often: PAL-DVD with NTSC-Parameters for Menus in the IFO's. But i never discovered any problems.
I also tried to change the IFOs for correct PAL-Settings, and it worked, but i've never seen any difference in playing the DVDs. The Menus are always shown in PAL - even if they are announced as NTSC in the IFO's.
I don't know it for sure, but i guess, the Players (or MY Players ;) ) will ignore this Part of the IFO's.

[oddyseus]

I would suggest to, not to change anything. All the players I am using have no problem handling these type of structures and there is nothing that indicates that this isn't the standard behaviour in Greece and the rest of the Europe, at least.

[Swan]

Kika, oddyseus, I appreciate your suggestions and kind sharing of experiences to a DVD authoring newbie like me.
I believe you both that this isn't an issue, so I have now sent off the DVD I authored, as it came out of TMPGEnc DVD Author, to my friend who lives in the U.K. and has a DVD Player with unknown capabilities. Many thanks to you both.

/Maria

[Lord of the Discs]

It is meaningless in your case, for it looks like you don´t have
a Video_ts.VOB, so it´s just default entries in a menu without a
video-stream.

LotD