http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Videomaker Community Forums » Tag: documentary. ntsc vs pal - Recent Topics en Sat, 18 Feb 2012 08:47:35 +0000 http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/nstc-to-pal-conversion-quality#post-35066 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:06:13 +0000 stevem 35066@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hi there,</p> <p>I'm new filmmaker, looking for a little advice.</p> <p>We're filming a three-part documentary in Asia over a long period of time and the first two parts have been filmed in PAL format where the cameras used had that standard.  In China I changed cameras to a NTSC model bought through ebay that was an absolutely fantastic deal.  I knew I was buying a different format, and friends and advisors helped convince me that it shouldn't be too much of a problem.</p> <p>However now I'm having second thoughts and the film's producers aren't happy.  I'm a new camerman/director myself and since we've only just begun the shoot in China, I don't want to continue down what might be a blind alley for a final edit.  After looking over other forums and the great NTSC v. PAL debate, it seems that PAL may offer better quality, but since I already now own an NTSC cam, I'm more concerned about the loss of quality in the transfer from NTSC back to PAL in the final edit.</p> <p>We're shooting on a solid Sony DSR-PD170 NTSC camera with a timeframe of two more weeks approx to solve this.  I see the following options available.</p> <p>1). Sell the NTSC Camera and buy a PAL version (thus minimising future damage)<br /> 2). Exchange for a PAL camera in Hong Kong<br /> 3). Restrict NTSC to PAL transfer time to the final edit (thus saving costs) and push ahead with what we have.</p> <p>Of the three, Option (1) may not be possible, if I can't sell the camera at the same rate I bought it, as my budget will be shot.  Option 2 is wishful thinking at best.  Option 3 seems the most sensible/logical, but will even the best transfer machines/algrothims result in a huge loss of quality?</p> <p>Eventually, I hope to sell this film to a TV network so quality is very important.  The film has not been pre-sold as yet.</p> <p>I would really appreciate any thoughts or expert opinions at this stage.  Option 3 seems sensible, but if the quality is a loser, then I don't want this documentary to be.</p> <p>Thanks.<br /> Steve</p>