DVX PAL footage

[shirazj]

New to the board, hello to all.

I am a filmmaker based out of Texas and I just got contracted to cut together a documentary. All the footage has been shot on the DVX, the problem is all the footage I am getting is in PAL.

I have never worked with PAL, I don't even know if my system (standard G5 Mac with Final Cut 2) can export the footage once done. So I have questions.

1) Do I need to convert the footage or can I start cutting footage and export the final cut without converting it to NTSC?

2) If I do need to convert footage, does anyone in Austin or Houston, know of someone or company that will do it for a good price?

3) Is there equipment I can rent that would be cheaper than sending it to a third party for the conversion?

4) I will be getting all the footage on DV tapes. Is there a better storage medium it should be sent to me on? And yes, the DV tapes are PAL tapes.

Thanks and sorry if these questions have been answered.

 

[David Jimerson]

I don't know of any NLEs which can't handle PAL footage without having to convert it first.

You might have a problem, though, capturing the PAL tapes if you don't have a PAL (or switchable) camcorder or deck. If possible, perhaps you should have whoever's sending the footage to capture it there and have them send you the DV files on HDD. For best results, have them do the capturing in FCP.

 

[shirazj]

Thanks for the info

Thanks for the info

Found a switchable deck.

Thanks for the advice David.