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PAL or NTSC
Ok… I appreciate this post is not strictly for help on FCP so my apologies. I was looking up standards conversion tools (Nattress) for FCP and work in post… so that’s why I’m here. Plus I think those with expertise in editing etc are prob best equipped to answer my slightly off-topic question.
I’m planning to buy a new DV camera for personal use. I’m originally from Canada but have lived in London (England) for several years. There’s a good chance I may move back stateside in the next year or so… however, it’s also possible I may stay here in the UK.
I’m trying to decide whether to buy a PAL camera here or order an NTSC model from the US?
What my concern is with a PAL camera from here is how difficult it would be to use the footage if I moved to the US?… ie., Can most newer TVs and DVD players play PAL DVDs (assuming they’re not region coded)… I know most players here can read both PAL and NTSC… or would I need to convert all the footage? How good is a Standards Convertor like the one from Nattress? Or would I actually need to get it all professionally converted?
My main concern is if I move back I don’t want to be stuck with a camera that isn’t much use and a real headache of transferring all the footage. But at the same time, if that isn’t the case, it seems more logical to just buy a camera here…
Any thoughts and advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Shane
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3 Replies
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PAL is very difficult to use in North America. I moved from England to Canada, and when I got here I had an awful time finding a multi-standard TV and DVD player for instance – something I could have got on any high street in England.
I’d suggest getting a dual standard camera, like the Sony HDV Z1 which is PAL / NTSC switchable. That would solve most of your problems.
Although all european DVD players and most TVs, say those made in the last 15-20 years or so can play NTSC, very few North American DVD players can play PAL, and practically no televisions!
As for quality of conversions – they’re good, they’re quick compared to anything else, and you can try the demo to see for yourself!
Graeme
– http://www.nattress.com – Film Effects and Standards Conversion for FCP
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Graeme, thanks for your reply.
I have your film effects software and was very impressed… that’s what made me think the Standards Conversion might be an option.
I actually have a broadcast camera I use for the occasional prod and otherwise rent equipment as and when needed. I’m just looking to buy a consumer camera… a la
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[Shane O’Brien] “moving back to N America with a lot of home videos on PAL might be a headache. “
Shane,
the DVD’s play on either systems DVD players but not on the lowend models. I have a Toshiba DVD player / recorder that plays out PAL DVD’s to my NTSC TV set. IT cost about $400 US (230 UKP?)Gary Adcock
Studio37
HD and Film Consultation
Chicago, IL USA
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