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PAL NTSC Video Converter
I am working in post at a production company. We are going to recive a small quantity of PAL mini DV tapes. We need to convert these tapes to NTSC mini DV. For us, it is not really worth it to send them to a transfer house, because of the number of tapes. So in my initial research i have found a couple of converters, but i would like to hear feedback from some people who have used them. Basicaly the good, the bad and the ugly of these converters. Also the ones that i have found only have video jacks, how does the audio sync up? Theoretically wouldnt there be more video than audio, but also the video, even though there are more frames, plays at the same speed so the audio should sync. Information on the converters themselves is what i am after, but if anyone can answer the other question as well please do.
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12 Replies
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some dvcam decks will actually play pal…..try playing it in a dvcam deck first, and then outputting them to new minidv tape.
-ben
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I am not having a playback problem. But we have to get the PAL footage into our show. I did try a deck to deck transfer, one set on PAL and the other on NTSC, but the NTSC deck acts like there is a copy inhibit(Even though there is not). It just does not let you record. That is why i am now looking for a converter.
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hmm, i work at harvard university part time and we have what is known as a time base corrector……….that does the job for us, but its not cheap. …… thats right, hmmm…..
rent a pal deck?
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How much, and what exactly do they do. See are DV decks will play both PAL and NTSC so i thought as a longshot i could record one playing PAL onto one set on NTSC. I know the decks are not converters, but i thought maybe i could trick it. but no dice.
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maybe you can get one of those cheesey radioshack converters or something?
time base correctors, least the one we had, cost at least, i think anyhow, like, 1500 dollars, and at that point, may be better to just get it transfered at a pro place.
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Thanks, yeah i think thats what im gonna have to do
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If I am not mistaken the Sony DSR-11 plays both NTSC and PAL.
Since you already claim that you have VTR that has a setting for PAL, simply capture PAL into FCP and get Nattress’s Standards Converter for $100.
https://www.nattress.com/standardsConversion.htmThere is realtime standard converter boxes, but they are very expensive–it would be like swatting a fly with a sledge hammer.
No brainer solutions…
KISS…
BrycePS This is a simple solution if all you want to do is use PAL in a NSTC project.
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thanks, this sounds like a good solution. In terms of time/people hours though would this be the best and most cost efficient option for, say 10-20 PAL DV tapes that need to be logged in excel and then captured. We are dealing with archival footage.
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Let’s do the math:
A
Capture PAL
10 to 20 hours
B
Transcode and render clip by clip PAL to NTSC
40 to 60 hoursC
Have the tapes professionally transfered
10 to 20 hours
D
Capture NTSC tapes
10 to 20 hoursThe Natress filters are fantastic, but I would use them on finished shows, not for a job tis large.
Now all you have to figure out is if a+b is actually is cheaper than c+d
David
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Your math did not include the variable of what percent (%) of the raw footage would be actually used.
At most they would probably only use 5% to 20% of the PAL at most.
Capturing 10 to 20 hours of raw footage is just plain lazy.
Log your tapes with the ability to import selects into FCP’s Bins. Capture your Best Take’s and Good Take’s and then convert to NTSC.
My 2
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