Anybody out there able to convert a PAL DVD to NTSC? There's a PJ Harvey live bootleg DVD out there that's tempting me, but I don't know if I can find anyone here to convert it.

Ace said:

Buy a region-free player. They're really cheap.

Ace said:

Buy a region-free player. They're really cheap.

applekisses said:

Isn't the PAL/NTSC thing a separate issue from the regions thing?

applekisses said:

Isn't the PAL/NTSC thing a separate issue from the regions thing?

applekisses said:

Exactly. Then you don't have to worry about these issues anymore.

applekisses said:

Isn't the PAL/NTSC thing a separate issue from the regions thing?

Ace said:

Dude...that IS the region thing

applekisses said:

Not really. NTSC/PAL has to do with technology format (don't ask me about the details) while the regions are just a way of "locking" the DVDs from other zones. But like I said, they do go hand in hand. At least this is what I've been told.

Ace said:

Dude...that IS the region thing

Not really. NTSC/PAL has to do with technology format (don't ask me about the details) while the regions are just a way of "locking" the DVDs from other zones.

retina said:

But NTSC and PAL existed long before DVD. Even if the disc is region encoded (which I doubt it would be, as it's a bootleg), wouldn't it still need to be converted to the proper video format to be viewed on American equipment?

But like I said, they do go hand in hand. At least this is what I've been told.

The MPEG video on a DVD is stored in digital format, but it's formatted for one of two mutually incompatible television systems: 525/60 (NTSC) or 625/50 (PAL/SECAM). Therefore, there are two kinds of DVDs: "NTSC DVDs" and "PAL DVDs." Some players only play NTSC discs, others play PAL and NTSC discs. Discs are also coded for different regions of the world

From dvddemystified.com (boldface added by me):

Ace said:

DUDE... REGION FREE PLAYER!

The worst that'll happen is that you may see a black and white image, but the sound will be fine.

applekisses said:

Can someone else confirm that a "region-free" player will automatically convert PAL to NTSC ('cause, Ms. applekisses, PAL format video will not play back properly on an NTSC television and all North American sets are NTSC)?

Ace said:

WHAT? You don't trust me?!

applekisses said:

Even those you trust can be misinformed.

Ace said:

Good lord...I think you just like to argue with me.

applekisses said:

No, it just doesn't make sense. There are two video formats, yet there are seven DVD regions. So a player that is "region-free" does not necessarily convert from one format to the other (some of them might, but I am still waiting on confirmation that all of them do).
[Edited 10/5/05 11:39am]

No, it just doesn't make sense. There are two video formats, yet there are seven DVD regions. So a player that is "region-free" does not necessarily convert from one format to the other (some of them might, but I am still waiting on confirmation that all of them do).

Thanks for the input, guys!