Burning U.S. DVD for Amsterdam

Paul Fierlinger wrote on 10/30/2007, 12:55 PM

At the end of November I have to give a masterclass at the IDFA festival in Amsterdam. I plan to bring along samples of my work which I would make from Vegas to DVD-A. The festival people have concerns about their ability to play properly my home-made DVDs -- a valid concern, I suppose. Does anyone here have any experiences of this kind between these two countries to give me some warnings about?

I imagine much depends on what type of DVD player they will make available to me over there, but I'd like to take into account the possibility that it would end up being a very common, consumer product -- the worst case scenario. They have suggested I bring my own laptop with appropriate cables, which I have in my office for the use of our secretary, but have never used myself. It is an Acer Aspire 30504594 with a Mobile AMD Sempron processor. What kind of cables should I get to be covered for all possible scenarios?

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 10/30/2007, 1:19 PM

Cabling is the same whether you're in Singapore, Amsterdam, or Jerusalem.
Carrying a DVI to SVGA connector is pretty smart to do, outside of that...it's all the same. A projector only has a different refresh rate, so whether you're showing NTSC or PAL content from your laptop won't make any difference at all.
I'd rely on your computer as a DVD player before I'd rely on a set top player. Most new PAL players play NTSC content just fine, but your laptop won't care one way or the other unless the DVDs are regionalized.

Coursedesign wrote on 10/30/2007, 1:43 PM

Just note that home electronics in Europe have long been using fist-sized SCART connectors to hook up anything video. If needed, you should be able to get a conversion cable locally (you certainly won't get it here.... :O).

The SCART connector must have been originally designed to carry 10 circuits of 380V 3-Phase 25A electricity...

Paul Fierlinger wrote on 10/30/2007, 1:44 PM

Thanks, Spot for the reassurance. I've never had to undertake the responsibility of doing this myself so I feel better asking around. I've also never had to play a DVD that I made for myself, so I'm worried about that too, but I'll just do a lot of testing before I go.

Paul

Paul Fierlinger wrote on 10/30/2007, 3:40 PM

Thanks, CourseDesign, I'll copy this to the festival technicians.

Terje wrote on 10/30/2007, 9:32 PM

You will be fine if the DVD player they have over there is newer than about 10 years. All European DVD players support playing NTSC disks. If you take your laptop with you, your best bet would be bringing a VGA to DVI adapter, since it is highly likely you will be connecting to a DVI equipped TV.

I don't think you have to worry at all, but if all goes pear-shaped, you can find a cheap DVD player in any electronics store that will play NTSC DVDs. I have't checked prices in Holland, but they are probably the same as everywhere, that is, very, very inexpensive.

Paul Fierlinger wrote on 10/31/2007, 2:07 AM

Thanks Terje,

Another thread here made me realize that I don't even need to burn a disk, carry a laptop, or carry anything at all, because I can save all my clips, which never run over 2 minutes, on a pocket size external drive or even flash drive as *.wmv or QT.mov files (or both).

Once there, I can copy these files into their computer which I presume is already setup to a video projector, since these masterclasses are conducted every year by a wide variety of filmmakers, and just run my files that way.

I can also upload these files onto my FTP as backups, or even ahead of time so that a technician at the festival can download them and copy into their computer. This way all will be tested and prepared before I even arrive and theoretically I could travel with my hands in my pockets.

Can you see a flaw in this plan?

ChristoC wrote on 10/31/2007, 2:14 AM

That's the way... now you have to justify going personally!!!!!

Paul Fierlinger wrote on 10/31/2007, 2:47 AM

I was invited at the festival's expense. :) That's why I am so cautious about having backups.

This is the world's largest festival of documentary films, thus an unusual event for me, an animator, to participate in. But this year's theme is Animated Documentaries, which sounds like a contradiction, but I've made a few of those so I've been invited to demonstrate the logic and process behind this. and to explain how I used animation to help solve certain problems live action documentarians can often run into.

Dave Jones wrote on 10/31/2007, 4:34 AM

With the greatest respect to everyone involved, this situation is ridiculous.

Surely the "world's largest festival of documentary films" that has the budget to bring you over, also has the capacity to play a NTSC disc properly!

You should simply brief the organisers that you will be showing a NTSC disc, bring it over and arrive with plenty of time to check it. Your other solutions would be adequate as a backup but if you really want to be safe, make a PAL version in DVDA (yes DVDA does it).

Dave Jones.

Paul Fierlinger wrote on 10/31/2007, 7:54 AM

Hmm, I just heard from them:
"thank you very much for thinking along with us. I've asked the technical staff, and they say your proposal suits them well."

I feel comfortable with the wvm clips as well (but avoiding CineForm) because I can make last minute changes on the spot and am familiar with the process. The setting is more like a classroom setting anyway so this fits well into what I am used to doing already.

Thanks all... I learned some new things again.

Spot|DSE wrote on 10/31/2007, 8:25 AM

I've yet to run into a SCART-only scenario, and have taught/presented in EU at least 25 times in the past 10 years. VGA out has always been fine from a laptop, along with composite out from a DVD player.
It's a point worth being aware of, but to purchase a 50.00 adapter,? particularly for a festival (which are generally *very* well equipped, I'm 110% certain you don't need one.

The Kid wrote on 10/31/2007, 12:13 PM

If its a up to date DVD player it should work in Amsterdam. I am doing work here in Ukraine, and all my work is done in NTSC and my DVD is in NTSC from Vegas 8a to 4.5a and into a Ukranian DVD player. No problems almost all european players play both formats. Trust me Amsterdam is way ahead in the game than Ukraine.

CorTed wrote on 10/31/2007, 1:48 PM

Paul, I have family in Holland. (Amsterdam) and I regularly send them DVD's made using Vegas and DVDA using the NTSC format.
They have no problem watching them.
Just burn a copy using DVDA and they will be able to play it.
I can give you my brothers phone number there so he can supply the festival with his DVD player....lol

Ted

Paul Fierlinger wrote on 10/31/2007, 3:35 PM

I believe you all, LOL. So there is no problem with burning an NTSC DVD in DVD-A! But what I really would like to hear now, is what's wrong with using Windows Media Viewer files? The ones I make from Vegas I always brilliant at 720p.

If I would have these files lined up on a computer's hard drive in a folder under my name, I can just double click on any clip I would need to run and it's up and running -- no slower (perhaps faster) than searching for a DVD's menu to selecting a chapter.

Why are so many of you trying to talk me out of this method? Is there some danger or risk involved that I am missing?

Coursedesign wrote on 10/31/2007, 3:50 PM

I'd take 720p projected from a hard disk over SD DVDs anytime.

That's a no-brainer, just bring backup.

Notebook disk drives are perfect for this, puts 250 MB in your shirt pocket

As I wrote above, the ridiculous SCART connector is thankfully only used for home electronics. I just wanted to caution you for the possibility of this appearing.