A friend has some rare tv programs on dvd only problem they are in pal format. He asked me if I could convert them using my dvd burner(Nero system) and I thought it wouldn't be a problem now I'm not so sure. He is mailing the dvds next week and I was wondering if you can convert pal to ntsc and if so what is the simplest way?

I've never even relised you could do this...This link should help you...

http://www.videohelp.com/convert#4;41

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Such conversions are not as easy & clearcut as converting to another video format such as avi, etc. It really depends on the quality of the converter codec. I have never tried it with nero so I can't say. I did do a trial of some ntsc to pal vids with roxio toast that worked out reasonably well. So if possible, trial it out with a DVD-RW if possible. And hoping your set top dvd player can play dvd-rw's. If you're happy with the quality then go with it.

PAL to NTSC standard format means 25 fps to 29.9x fps, 576 pixels height to 480 for ntsc. But a compressed pal file might be re-encoded at a smaller size when you receive it. If there's problems, check the audio & video synch as well. This is one of the areas such converters may go wrong.

Edit: I believe it's easier to convert from ntsc to pal than pal to ntsc. ie: less quality loss & potential side-fx.

Thanks I wish I hadn't told him I would do it bit since I did I'll get it fixed somehow.

Nero7 will automatically convert to NTSC at the final option before actually transcoding and burning...it has worked every time for me....

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It always asks if you are doing a project but does it ask if you are coping a dvd which is what I'll be doing?

Well, how about trying and if it doesn't press cancel

I don't have a dvd in Pal

The thread that Wondering Why linked to has alternatives in case it doesn't do it. I never tried it, I must admit, since there has really not been a need to do it.

May take a bit longer if Nero doesn't work, but are you on a timelimit?

I've had to do this in the past after receiving a dvd from a friend in the UK. I found http://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=300144 as an excellent guide on what to do. There are a few programs needed to do the job (most are freeware). Everything is explained very well step by step. The process took 8-10 hours to strip the audio, render the video to convert frame rates and screen size, and then mash the audio back into the movie file. All in all I'm happy with the way it turned out even on my first attempt.