OT: PAL-->NTSC w/o PAL equip??

kingsfan wrote on 7/30/2006, 8:46 PM
Hi,
An off topic question - I have a PAL VHS tape that I need to convert to NTSC DVD. I do not have a PAL VCR. Is anything possible in this scenario with an NTSC VCR and an NTSC DVCAM?

I know of services that do this conversion but I am hoping to do this myself if I do not have to purchase a multi-system VCFR for starters.

Any guidance is appreciated. Thanks.

Comments

corug7 wrote on 7/30/2006, 9:25 PM
No, you can't use an NTSC VCR to play back a PAL tape (in most cases). The DVCAM camera may be able to pass the PAL signal through firewire into your computer, but it won't convert it on the fly. No worries there, as Vegas does a fine job on format conversions.

My advice would be to farm it out to a dupe house, or buy a cheap PAL VHS deck and try to use it with your DVCAM camera.
kingsfan wrote on 7/30/2006, 9:36 PM
So I see a little glimer of hope. What would happen if the signal flow is like this -

PAL tape in NTSC VCR --> NTSC DVCAM -->PC.

Since the signal flow from the VCR to the DVCAM is analog (I assume), will I end up with anything useable on the PC?.

I am leaning towards a dupe house, but want to exhaust exploring this option.

I appriciate the continued guidance of this forum. Thanks.
jrazz wrote on 7/31/2006, 7:46 AM
If you hook up your vcr, pop in the pal tape and hook it up to a TV what do you see? That is the same thing you will get when you go NTSC VCR-->NTSC DVCAM-->PC.
IF you see rolling and b&w images and that is acceptable to you, then use it. More than likely, all you will get is sound.

j razz
corug7 wrote on 7/31/2006, 8:34 AM
Consider your choices exhausted.

VHS decks that convert NTSC to PAL are realatively common on the other side of the pond, we don't see too much of that here in NTSC land without paying a premium for the deck. The conversions are usually cruddy, anyway.

Jrazz is correct. You will probably get a rolling B/W picture with sound that is too fast.