NTSC playback on a Sony PAL camera. True or False? at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Open DV Discussion
Register FAQ Today's Posts Buyer's Guides

Open DV Discussion
For topics which don't fit into any of the other categories.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old April 1st, 2008, 08:51 AM   #1
New Boot
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Urumqi, China
Posts: 15
NTSC playback on a Sony PAL camera. True or False?

Hi there,

We have a bunch of NTSC footage on mini-DV tape in India, that we wish to transfer into FC Pro on the Mac, but the problem is we had no way of getting there. However, recently I read on this forum (below link) that

"A PAL canon A1 will not play NTSC material. Most if not all Sony camcorders will play PAL and NTSC material (but only record in their format of choice)."

Can anyone confirm if this is true? Or if they've had experience doing this in the past?

If this is true then it seems almost too easy: Hire/buy a cheap Sony Camcorder, playback NTSC footage and transfer by firewire to MAC for edit. Job done?

Cheers,
Stephen

http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.ph...ack+pal+camera
Stephen McCutcheon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 1st, 2008, 09:05 AM   #2
Go Go Godzilla
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Posts: 2,788
Images: 15
Ask the moderator to move this question to the Sony forum where Sony users can answer this.
Robert Lane is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 1st, 2008, 09:12 AM   #3
New Boot
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Urumqi, China
Posts: 15
Sorry, I wasn't sure where to post this as it's also really a general question about NSTC transfer onto a Mac. Thought perhaps there might be other ways also??

I'll ask the mod to transfer it though. Cheers!
Stephen McCutcheon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 1st, 2008, 11:52 AM   #4
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: currently in Kigali, Rwanda
Posts: 144
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen McCutcheon View Post
"Most if not all Sony camcorders will play PAL and NTSC material (but only record in their format of choice)."

Can anyone confirm if this is true? Or if they've had experience doing this in the past?

If this is true then it seems almost too easy: Hire/buy a cheap Sony Camcorder, playback NTSC footage and transfer by firewire to MAC for edit. Job done?
True.

I've been doing this for about 5 years now, and just bought an HC9E to replace my old VX2000E that I've been using as a deck.

A tip if you're using FCP: to capture NTSC footage using a PAL camera, be sure to have the camera playing the NTSC footage when you open the Log/Capture window (otherwise FCP thinks the footage is PAL and will give you error messages every 5 seconds while capturing).
Tom Vandas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 1st, 2008, 11:52 AM   #5
New Boot
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Urumqi, China
Posts: 15
Great tips. Thanks Tom.

So can this be done even with a PAL PD150/170 also? It's a relief to hear it's so easy. Is it also then possible to do this with other camera makes then?

Cheers.
Stephen McCutcheon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 1st, 2008, 12:16 PM   #6
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: currently in Kigali, Rwanda
Posts: 144
Hey Stephen. While I can't remember if I ever tried this with a PAL PD150/170, the tape drives are the same as the vx2000/2100 so it should be fine.

I've never tried it with other camera makes, but I suspect you could do the same with the Panasonics. Maybe someone else knows more?
Tom Vandas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 1st, 2008, 01:17 PM   #7
Major Player
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Woods Cross, Utah
Posts: 310
The Sony Z1 will record/playback in PAL and NTSC, and convert between the two.
Chris Luker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 1st, 2008, 01:17 PM   #8
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta/USA
Posts: 2,515
While most camcorders "could" play the other format, most of them do not.

The reason is in local laws/regulations - some countries want stuff manufactured only for them. Most manufacturers make basically one camcorder, that has all of the functions for both systems, but block "the other" system via software. So if you could go inside and know what you do, you could probably unblock any camera.

The same applies for other electronics (TV sets, DVD players).

Sony is famous for silently leaving open the playback function on some camcorders (undocumented "feature").
__________________
Ervin Farkas
www.AtlantaLegalVideo.com
Ervin Farkas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 1st, 2008, 04:56 PM   #9
Major Player
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Hillsborough, NC, USA
Posts: 968
I think it is a stretch to say *all* Sony camcorders. Some of mine do (e.g., PDX10), some don't. Some will appear blank on the LCD but send the DV via FireWire just fine. Note, NTSC DV runs at a very slightly different tape speed than PAL.

However, *all* of them play DVCAM.
John Miller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 6th, 2008, 07:12 AM   #10
New Boot
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Sweden
Posts: 7
my PD-150 PAL-camera wont play NTSC via firewire...
__________________
---
My business page: www.bgavideo.com or www.bgavideo.com/English
Bjorn Andersson is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Open DV Discussion


 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:01 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network