Better To Shoot (HD) PAL OR NTSC FOR CONVERSIONS

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Level 6

12,387 points

Better To Shoot (HD) PAL OR NTSC FOR CONVERSIONS

I have looked and seen some discussion, but no answer that seems definative.

Basically the projects I have worked on are shot NTSC (and are primarily for NTSC/DVDs) though they are sometimes converted to PAL and it seems to be fine.

Have a project coming up where they want to shoot PAL and then I would convert as needed. I am not sure, but it would seem that going from NTSC with the higher FPS would be the proper way to go when editing HD. (Shooting on Canon 5D Mark III dSLR, either 30p or 25p)

I am going to do some A/Bing, but thought perhaps someone may have gone through this.

Thanks

Posted on May 28, 2013 4:57 PM

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Answer 1

Studio X

Level 7

27,229 points

May 28, 2013 5:51 PM in response to Drew13

I'd shoot PAL then at output use Compressor to convert to 24 fps for NTSC using Frame Controls.

x

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Answer 2

May 29, 2013 5:15 AM in response to Studio X

to be a nitpicker, Studio X means 24p not 24 fps. 24p is 23.976 fps second and can have pulldown added to make 29.97 fps, the ntsc standard. 24p material can also be used to author ntsc dvd's

24 fps is the speed film is generally shot at. It's usally sped up to 25 fps for PAL transfer and slowed down slightly to 23.976 with pulldown added to 29.97 fps for NTSC release.

Here's a user tip regarding working with different frame rates in fcp

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4731

some if it's pertinent to this discussion

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Answer 3

Studio X

Level 7

27,229 points

May 29, 2013 5:21 AM in response to Michael Grenadier

Michael,

Thanks for the clarification. Yes - 24p not 24 fps.

Also, if the person is going to DVD, he can use 24p directly (without adding pull down to get to 29.97).

DVD players marked "progressive" will add pull down if the TV requires it or send a straight 24p signal to the HDTV.

Cheers,

x

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Answer 4

Drew13 Author

Level 6

12,387 points

May 29, 2013 5:49 AM in response to Michael Grenadier

Michael/Studio X

Putting aside the workflow issue for a moment (and adding flags), I was wondering if there is a quality issue in terms of the conversion. In other words, bring frame rates down from 30p to 25p as compared to going from 25p to 30p.

Thanks

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Answer 5

Studio X

Level 7

27,229 points

May 29, 2013 7:34 AM in response to Drew13

Rather than have us tell you, test with your own material. Let your eyes be the judge.

fwiw - again, why do want to go to 30p when every DVD player in the world will play 24p?

If you are going to the web, 24p or 25p will give you a better image for a given data rate than 30.

x

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