View Full Version : PAL to NTSC DVD conversion information
BayAreaLondoner
8th Jul 2003, 05:52
I have a bunch of Region 2 PAL DVDs and since I live in the US, they are unplayable except on my PC. I finally got around to documenting (http://www.groovelicious.org/mt/david/archives/000134.html#more) a conversion method to NTSC that gives acceptable results, so that I can play them back on my standalone DVD player hooked up to my TV. You need some software (freeware and/or shareware), a DVD burner and plenty of disk space.
Hope it helps out others.
Note - I assume that you own the material you will be converting and am in no way trying to condone illegal copying of copyrighted materials.
reynoldsno1
8th Jul 2003, 07:34
Wouldn't it have been easier to buy a multizone DVD player and multisystem TV? There relatively inexpensive and readily available in the US (on the Net)
Keygrip
8th Jul 2003, 10:56
Bay - code free DVD - will play any region DVD into any system TV.
$119 from here (http://www.codefreedvdmart.com/detail.aspx?ID=34)
If it were legal in the USA, which it isn't, this machine would also let your record your DVD's to video through a standard VCR.
BayAreaLondoner
8th Jul 2003, 12:11
reynoldsno1 is correct - it is a complicated way, but it does mean that I end up with DVDs that play on any US machine, and that's just more convenient for me.
Also the conversion technique is useful because I have a number of PAL VHS videos that I am in the process of burning to DVD - less cumbersome, doesn't need a multistandard VCR, etc.
The biggest issue with conversion is getting the motion right - you can see this on older UK programmes that are shown in the US with horizontal scrolling titles - they jump a lot. The technique I describe addresses that reasonably well.
Also, I came across a fantastic deal ($40!) on a DVD player that can be very easy to deregionalise. You can read about it here (http://www.groovelicious.org/mt/david/archives/000120.html).
Buy a plasma screen - problem solved :-)
spannersatcx
13th Jul 2003, 05:40
Buy a plasma screen - problem solved :-)
Sorry you've completely lost me there, how will having a plasma screen tv enable you to play region 1 and 2 DVD's?:confused:
Plasma TVs are multi-system. PAL, NTSC, SECAM, they play them all. If you have a multi-region DVD with PAL and NTSC output you play what you like in native format....
spannersatcx
13th Jul 2003, 19:11
Most decent TV's are multiformat these days, trouble is if you haven't got a multi region dvd player then it makes no difference what your tv will play, cause the player won't play it. Wasn't that why BayAreaLondoner started this thread in the first place!
:)
In the UK you can get DVD players which have either both PAL and NTSC output or which convert NTSC into PAL or "pseudo PAL" (50Hz) output. The first allows you to play back NTSC on a TV which is both PAL and NTSC capable, the second on any PAL TV.
The problem arises when you get to the USA. As usual, they find it difficult to believe any other system exists. :hmm:
In the USA you can only get DVD players with NTSC output. Fine for playing back your NTSC tapes, but not for PAL. There is no DVD available which has a "pseudo NTSC" mode for playing back PAL tapes.
Since you can't translate the PAL into NTSC in the DVD you have two options. Buy an external decoder or PAL/NTSC TV.
You can get real-time decoders, but they're expensive, BAL has taken a slightly cheaper option to do it non-real time.
As with DVDs, you can't get dual PAL/NTSC TVs in the USA. Taking a European one runs into other problems.
The answer is a Plasma screen as they have to convert all systems for display using an internal scaler. You can buy a good 42" for under $3000 (see here) (http://www.1800plasmas.com/plasmas/panasonic/42pwd5.html). Add a multii-region DVD with both true NTSC and PAL output and you're home and dry. (or buy one one of each, they're cheap enough these days,and you don't have to worry about region codes and compatibility)
Keygrip
13th Jul 2003, 21:46
ORAC, I have a VCR bought and paid for in the USA - it will play (at the touch of a button - if not left in automatic) any NTSC, PAL or SECAM tape into any format of TV.
It will also deduce - and then tune in all stations - whether the input signal is cable, terrestrial or an A/V feed.
It will also receive one signal from the input source but record it in the format of your choice.
I have a DVD, bought and paid for in the USA, which will play any region of DVD onto any format of TV.
When did you invent the idea that In the USA you can only get DVD players with NTSC output. Fine for playing back your NTSC tapes, but not for PAL. There is no DVD available which has a "pseudo NTSC" mode for playing back PAL tapes.
Keygrip, because I tried for over a year.
What's the make and model of the DVD player?
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Doing a bit of newer searching, Sampo DVD players, will do both PAL-pseudo NTSC conversion as well as NTSC-PAL. They are also 110-220 volt and 50/60Hz. At the price they seem worth a look.
They are also re-labelled as Reoc players (Safeways), the Wharfedale M5 and others. See the Area 450 site, link below, for details.
Unofficial support site (http://reoc.keyservice.co.uk/a6/home) (with firmware upgrades and hacks).
Official suppor tsite (http://reoc.keyservice.co.uk/) - with multi-region hacks. ;)
REOC A5 review 1 (http://www.totaldvd.net/reviews/DVDPlayers/Reoc/ReocA5DVD.php). Review 2 (http://www.home-entertainment.co.uk/firstlook_read.asp?ID=2098)
Area 450 - TV type (http://www.area450.com/hacks/tvhack.htm). Quote: (http://www.area450.com/thesampozone/players/dve360clones.htm): "DVE320/360 clones (Digitron DVS360, Wharfedale M5, Tokai 823/825/838dts Will convert NTSC output to PAL 60 or PAL 50 format and vice versa".
reynoldsno1
14th Jul 2003, 06:52
I got my multi-format, multi-power audio/video gear in the USA from
http://www.mindlogic.com/index.shtml
Excellent service. The gear is now 5 years old, has moved two continents, and still delivering...
R1, thank you for that. I note that they repeat what I say above:
"If you already have a regular NTSC television you can also use a Tenlab video converter to convert any PAL DVD discs into NTSC format so they'll display on your television.
An exception to this are the codeless DVD Players from Sampo. With these DVD players, you can watch DVD discs from any region on any television set, thus saving the need for additional video components! To learn more about these unique DVD players, click here." ;)
Keygrip
14th Jul 2003, 19:33
ORAC - read the first post I made here - there is a link in it.
Keygrip,
Tried to buy one (The Daewoo 5000N - $99). Everything went fine till I gave my present address in the UK. A mnimum of $187 shipping charge!!!
So if there's anyone out there in the USA willing to do me a favour......