I have an avi file I created from some digital camera film clips with Virtual Dub, to a specified frame rate and size. The finished clip should also be PAL format, not NTSC. How can I discover if it is or not? OR: does that simply not matter/signify at this stage? I can't find anything in Virtual Dub to set for PAL or NTSC and that makes me think it must be irrelevant at this stage. In which case maybe I haven't finished the job. Because the job is to produce an Avi file at 720 x 576 @ 25fps for submission to a home video outfit in PAL format. Seems to me, in my ignorance, that maybe the PAL bit doesn't matter until it is written to a DVD and then it's in a VOB, not an AVI. But they seem to specify AVI and they specify PAL and I'm confused. Can anyone help? regards, ab
the quick answer is: pal = 25 frames per second, higher resolution ntsc = 29.97 frames per second, lower resolution for more detailed info read thru the afterdawn glossary.
Ah... thanks... so the quick answer seems to be 'I've already got it into Pal format' ? Here's the bit in their specs that's throwing me: "Please ensure your computer editing programme's project settings are PAL (625/50) upper field first and not NTSC (525/60). " And that's because my 'computer editing programme' (virtual dub) doesn't offer such a thing. AND I can't find any way of checking my AVI file for those features.
I use GSpot for checking the PAL/NTSCness - i expect there are others... in fact under windows xp and up you can just right-click the file and see this info in the properties...
GSpot never highlights PAL or NTSC with AVI's, but it should tell you this (maybe): upper field first Which means Interlaced (most Xvids floating around are progressive but GSpot doesn't always report that). Look for I/L and TFF. Try this app instead. http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net/en Choose View-> Tree
Thank you very much, MysticE, what a beautiful little tool. Problem solved. It is PAL. I'm a happy chappie once more. And my respect for this invaluable tool - Afterdawn.com - has risen even higher.
Sounds good (I think). Actually an AVI (Xvid/Divx) of the type floating around aren't really PAL or NTSC. Although PAL does use 25fps there is more to the spec. Scan this article. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PAL Under Technical details/PAL vs. NTSC nothing really applies to AVI's e.g. 576i vs. 480i, 50hz vs. 60hz. These AVI's are identical, except for the fps. Note they are always progressive, the spec says interlaced, and neither spec talks of mp3 audio.
Hi, yes, I noticed that 'progressive' thing and thought it jarred with the requirement. And the 'upper field first' thing, that's remains not understood and unresolved for me. I really don't understand the whole thing it all. I read the wikipedia page you pointed me to and copied it because I am interested but I think it'll be a long time before I understand it properly. Probably never. But I mean probably quite a while before I get a clear grasp of what's essentially going on. A clear overall picture maybe you could say. In particular I don't understand why there's a problem showing my avi files on a t.v. If I burn them to dvd as I've often done with Nero then I can play that DVD on my tv any time. I'm talking my original AVI files here, the ones made by my camera. The ones that I have used Virtual Dub to convert into a required size and frame rate. If I could burn them and show them why can't the tv people simply broadcast them? And I assume these new files, the conversions, would be acceptable to Nero and burn and play just the same. Well I just tested it, partly, I got Nero to accept the file all ready for creating a DVD and it did it okay. It all seems too easy. So what the problem is that the tv station has I don't know. I've submitted the file to them and heard nothing back from them as yet. Might know more when they do get back to me. They might explain things a bit. thanks for your help and interest. regards, ab
