NTSC to PAL

Yes but depending what you are wanting to do with the converted signal, your options may be limited.

There are converters available on eBay, the cheap ones ($30) only convert NTSC 60Hz to PAL 60Hz and this cannot be recorded by VCR or DVD recorders. For this same reason, most multi-format video machines are also unable to output a recordable converted picture.

If you're hoping to be able to record the converted signal, you'll need to get one of the more expensive ($130+) devices, unfortunately these will result in a drop in picture quality. The "RGB conversion headache" thread discusses these devices in more detail.

Another option would be to use a series 1 TiVo to perform the conversion, the "Input PAL output NTSC" thread discusses what you are hoping to achieve but in reverse.
 
Thanks Tivo :) Reckon it might end up cheaper to get a DVD player/Video machine that can do this kinda thing than Amazon goodies. Basically all I'm wanting is to convert NTSC signal and pipe it directly into my TV's RCA-IN. At the moment it comes up black n white as my TV is not so much with the goodness :D
 
AntiThesis said:
Reckon it might end up cheaper to get a DVD player/Video machine that can do this kinda thing than Amazon goodies.
Click to expand...
Most VCR and DVD players won't convert a piped (input) feed, they are only able to play video's and/or DVD's of either format.

AntiThesis said:
Basically all I'm wanting is to convert NTSC signal and pipe it directly into my TV's RCA-IN. At the moment it comes up black n white as my TV is not so much with the goodness :D
Click to expand...
The cheap ($30) eBay converts should be able to fix that, the colours may not be 100% but then they never are with NTSC :rolleyes:
 
I bought a DVD box set that was in NTSC - no worries because my DVD player can play it. Found out my TV can't display it. I tried to convert the DVD to PAL (with software) it worked, but inevitably playback is jerky because of the difference in frame rate.

I think it's less hassle to buy a TV that can display NTSC
 
Yeah but that's about a grand worth :D Won't be able to do that until at least next month ;)

Although, it appears that BidOrBuy has exactly what I'm looking for. Now if I can just find a local supplier I'll be happier than well... a very happy person.
 
koffiejunkie said:
I bought a DVD box set that was in NTSC - no worries because my DVD player can play it. Found out my TV can't display it.
Click to expand...
You may find that there is a setting on your DVD player that allows you to force the output to PAL rather then have it auto detected.

koffiejunkie said:
I tried to convert the DVD to PAL (with software) it worked, but inevitably playback is jerky because of the difference in frame rate.
Click to expand...
Many of the encoders (e.g. FFmpeg) are able to convert the framerate from NTSC (29.97) to PAL (25.00).

AntiThesis said:
Although, it appears that BidOrBuy has exactly what I'm looking for.
Click to expand...
I presume you're talking about the "PS2 NTSC-PAL CONVERTER"? Just in case you're not aware, that device is specifically for the Playstation 2. It's pretty much the same as the cheap converters I listed earlier so if you have an NTSC Playstation 2 then it should work fine.
 
TivoZA, my DVD player is one of those R300_at_Pic&Pay models :-)

I used mencoder to convert (which uses FFmpeg's libavcodec). The problem is when you go from 29.97 fps to 25 fps you're losing some frames - there's going to be a little bit of jerkyness. But it's also the time it takes to convert. It's simply easier to get kit that can do the job.
 
koffiejunkie said:
TivoZA, my DVD player is one of those R300_at_Pic&Pay models :-)
Click to expand...
It's often the cheaper ones that support the multi formats but this is very much a hit and miss affair.

koffiejunkie said:
I used mencoder to convert (which uses FFmpeg's libavcodec). The problem is when you go from 29.97 fps to 25 fps you're losing some frames - there's going to be a little bit of jerkyness. But it's also the time it takes to convert. It's simply easier to get kit that can do the job.
Click to expand...
I use a modified version of ffmpeg for converting files from NTSC to PAL format (including the framerate adjustment), these are then uploaded to my TiVo and play without hassle. Although mencoder and ffmpeg share some libraries, I've found ffmpeg to produce a better quality picture (no guarantees but it may be worth a shot).

Unfortunately the conversion isn't a quick process but begin able to automatically batch convert the files (and upload them to my TiVo) during a scheduled time frame (e.g. late at night) makes the whole process that much simpler :cool:
 
koffiejunkie said:
TivoZA, what syntax to do you use with ffmpeg?
Click to expand...
Well it depends what I'm converting from and what I'll be watching it with. To convert a ripped DVD vob to a new vob with a PAL framerate, you could use:
Code: 
ffmpeg -i "input.vob" -r 25 -vcodec mpeg2video -b 8000k -acodec copy "output.vob"
 
koffiejunkie said:
I bought a DVD box set that was in NTSC - no worries because my DVD player can play it. Found out my TV can't display it. I tried to convert the DVD to PAL (with software) it worked, but inevitably playback is jerky because of the difference in frame rate.

I think it's less hassle to buy a TV that can display NTSC
Click to expand...

Usually it isn't necessary to change the frame rate, as most TVs will sync at 60Hz (30fps), it is just the colour frequency that causes a problem. This is so-called "PAL60".
 
Hey sorry to resurrect this thread. I am wanting to play NTSC games but they display in Black and White on my TV, do I need one of those PS2 converters?
 
AntiThesis said:
Thanks Tivo :) Reckon it might end up cheaper to get a DVD player/Video machine that can do this kinda thing than Amazon goodies. Basically all I'm wanting is to convert NTSC signal and pipe it directly into my TV's RCA-IN. At the moment it comes up black n white as my TV is not so much with the goodness :D
Click to expand...

Fsck, how old is your TV as they have been auto pal/ntsc for like the last 10yrs.
 
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