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Activity Forums Apple Final Cut Pro Legacy Help me work in PAL – in a NTSC world.

  • Help me work in PAL – in a NTSC world.

    Posted by Godfrey Pye on August 1, 2005 at 2:33 pm

    Hello everyone,
    I’m soon about to receive material for a PAL documentary. It will be shot on PAL DV and will end up on PAL DV.
    I intend to capture on a DSR-11 and edit, via FCP5 in PAL.
    I’m sure it’s easy when you know how, but even though I’m originally a Brit, now living in LA, I haven’t done any PAL work since computers were invented and I wonder if some kind soul could guide me to the definitive ‘how-to’.
    Many thanks in advance.

    Godfrey Pye
    Mulholland Bays – in the Hollywood Hills

    Jeremy Garchow replied 20 years, 9 months ago 4 Members · 4 Replies
  • 4 Replies
  • Andy Mees

    August 1, 2005 at 3:27 pm

    Hey Godfrey

    you know theres really nothing to tell …

    1. use the “PAL DV’ easy setup in FCP

    … and thats about it.

    your footage is PAL,
    you capture in PAL (make sure your DSR-11 is a PAL capable deck)
    you edit in a PAL timeline
    and you playout your PAL edit back to tape (using the PAL capable deck).

    I dare say I’m missing something (or over-simplifying), but there are plenty here, myself included, who will be happy to help if any particular problems do crop up.

    cheers
    Andy

  • Duncan Craig

    August 1, 2005 at 4:31 pm

    Welcome to a world with no ‘setup’ IRE weirdness, and no .97 at the end of your FPS.
    Never Twice the Same Colour begone.

    Seriously though, I don’t think you’ll should expect any quirks, as stated above use the PAL preset all the way.

    It the job is for broadcast in the UK (you’ve not said where it is going), it will want to be 16:9 unless special agreements are made with the broadcaster. And you might want to check if your text needs to be 14:9 safe (use 30% horizontal if you want to be 14:9 safe). Also generally in the UK programmes start at 10:00:00:00 before that put down a minute of 100% bars if poss, and tone (stereo if required) at 4PPM. Peak at 6PPM BBC scale etc. Also use a proper simple clock. But the likelyhood is you know all this, if not get the broadcaster to send you their delivery guidelines.

    Bye Duncan.

  • Godfrey Pye

    August 1, 2005 at 5:01 pm

    Duncan and Andy, thank you very much for your tips and encouragement. Incidentally, I didn’t know that 16:9 was the regular UK aspect ratio these days (I’ve been away from that sceptered isle for 15 years).
    In fact this job is going to Italy and the PAL part of the middle east, but your encouragement is greatly appreciated. It does no harm to be prepared and now I feel I’m ready to rock.

    Godfrey Pye
    Mulholland Bays – in the Hollywood Hills

  • Jeremy Garchow

    August 1, 2005 at 11:06 pm

    Make sure you have a PAL or Multi-format monitor. As I’m sure you know, don’t rely on your computer monitor for your critical monitoring.

    Make all of your titles/graphics form various programs at 720×576.

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