Are broadcast television color systems even relevant for DVD authoring today? at DVinfo.net

Ali Jafri · October 28th, 2009, 10:43 PM

Hi, I have a pressing question. I have a DVD which I intend to market worldwide and was wondering if I need to encode it in different color systems like PAL and NTSC and SECAM for different regions worldwide. Isn't it true that almost all DVD players and televisions are multi-system these days, capable of automatically adjusting to the source colour system?

I'm looking to save some money by authoring it to one standard system (PAL) and going ahead with the worldwide distribution. Or would that lead to disastrous consequences?

Some advice would be most appreciated.

Michael Wisniewski · October 29th, 2009, 03:58 AM

Generally, PAL players are more likely to be able to also play NTSC, so encoding in NTSC is the safer bet. Vice versa, finding an NTSC player that can play PAL tends to be the exception to the rule.

But in the long run you are probably saving time & money by taking the time to encode in each format.

Geoffrey Cox · November 1st, 2009, 07:12 AM

Ali, love your tag line btw!!! So true...

Jim Snow · November 1st, 2009, 10:47 AM

Even when a player will play either PAL or NTSC, the TV to which it is attached is either one or the other. The player converts to the format that the TV supports. The resulting display in not as smooth as its native format. Converting frames per second (NTSC - 30, PAL - 25) and screen lines "hurts" the display quality. Since you describe your DVD as a commercial endeavor, it's appropriate to produce two versions.

Ervin Farkas · November 1st, 2009, 05:42 PM

You answered your own question when you said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ali Jafri

Isn't it true that almost all DVD players and televisions are multi-system these days, capable of automatically adjusting to the source colour system?

Do you want your DVD to play on ALL players or only on 'most' of them?

Richard Crowley · November 14th, 2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ali Jafri

Isn't it true that almost all DVD players and televisions are multi-system these days, capable of automatically adjusting to the source colour system?

No. While many (most?) PAL DVD players (in combination with agile TV sets) will convert NTSC to "PAL 60", even that is not a reliable thing to depend on across the planet.

And certainly, the number of customers in NTSC-land who can play native PAL DVDs is probably way less than 1% unless they play it on their computers, etc.

Recommended research:
PAL - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Eric Bakko · November 16th, 2009, 04:59 AM

Why not save yourselves the headache and time by doing both.....

October 28th, 2009, 10:43 PM	#1
Ali Jafri Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Karachi, Pakistan Posts: 135	Are broadcast television color systems even relevant for DVD authoring today? Hi, I have a pressing question. I have a DVD which I intend to market worldwide and was wondering if I need to encode it in different color systems like PAL and NTSC and SECAM for different regions worldwide. Isn't it true that almost all DVD players and televisions are multi-system these days, capable of automatically adjusting to the source colour system? I'm looking to save some money by authoring it to one standard system (PAL) and going ahead with the worldwide distribution. Or would that lead to disastrous consequences? Some advice would be most appreciated. __________________ People who say they don't care what people think are usually desperate to have people think they don't care what people think.

October 29th, 2009, 03:58 AM	#2
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 2,343 Images: 32	Generally, PAL players are more likely to be able to also play NTSC, so encoding in NTSC is the safer bet. Vice versa, finding an NTSC player that can play PAL tends to be the exception to the rule. But in the long run you are probably saving time & money by taking the time to encode in each format. __________________ Your instruments: your voice, your body, your imagination. For quick answers: Search dvinfo.net \| The best in the business: dvinfo.net Sponsors

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November 1st, 2009, 07:12 AM	#3
Geoffrey Cox Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Huddersfield, UK Posts: 78	Ali, love your tag line btw!!! So true...

November 1st, 2009, 10:47 AM	#4
Jim Snow Major Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 356	Even when a player will play either PAL or NTSC, the TV to which it is attached is either one or the other. The player converts to the format that the TV supports. The resulting display in not as smooth as its native format. Converting frames per second (NTSC - 30, PAL - 25) and screen lines "hurts" the display quality. Since you describe your DVD as a commercial endeavor, it's appropriate to produce two versions.

November 16th, 2009, 04:59 AM	#7
Eric Bakko New Boot Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: London, United Kingdom Posts: 8	Why not save yourselves the headache and time by doing both.....