PAL or NTSC?

Z

ZzBog

Active member
Hello,

HVX200 looks like a serious investment and I've come to a problem, I've to solve before clicking "purchase".


I'm living in PAL Region (Russia). But I've heard (read), that PAL HVX200s are lacking some features of NTSC ones.

I need a camera only for feature filming, no TV-work. Is it mad to buy NTSC Hvx200 here, in PAL-country? Will I face some problems, I won't be able to overcome?


Need your advices badly.

P.S. Shipping doesn't concern me here, I can get the any camera delivered.
 
Ok... Good general rule. If you live in Pal land, get a Pal. If you live in NTSC land get an NTSC.
The problem will not be with the camera, but with your viewing equipment.
If you absolutely know that everything you are going to make is destined for film, then it probably doesn't matter too much which one you went with. I am sure there is some debate over which is better for film out. But if you've got things that people are going to see in your home country, that are straight to DVD and whatnot, then you need a pal camera. You don't want the headache and extra step of converting from ntsc to pal.
Some might say Pal is better for film out, but this is probably debatable, and I haven't done any research on it, as I am in NTSC land.
my .003
Jason
 
Ok... Good general rule. If you live in Pal land, get a Pal. If you live in NTSC land get an NTSC.
The problem will not be with the camera, but with your viewing equipment.
If you absolutely know that everything you are going to make is destined for film, then it probably doesn't matter too much which one you went with. I am sure there is some debate over which is better for film out. But if you've got things that people are going to see in your home country, that are straight to DVD and whatnot, then you need a pal camera. You don't want the headache and extra step of converting from ntsc to pal.
Some might say Pal is better for film out, but this is probably debatable, and I haven't done any research on it, as I am in NTSC land.
my .003
Jason
 
Thank you. Is it really that hard to convert NTSC into PAL? Never did that before...

Can't I "shoot and edit in 24 and later transfer to PAL, as if I was using 16mm"?
 
I can't tell you for sure how hard it is, cause I have never tried it. Many NLE's will let you do it in the software. But it just seems like an un-needed extra step. You are having to convert the image, the frame rate, and therefore also the audio speed.
Jason
*sorry about the double post, don't know how that happened.
 
get a PAL camera.

The NTSC camera is lacking some features of the PAL camera too! - for example all the ways of you handling your footage!

- Mikko
 
mikkowilson said:
get a PAL camera.

The NTSC camera is lacking some features of the PAL camera too! - for example all the ways of you handling your footage!

- Mikko
Click to expand...

Mikko, this is not right to say. Each camera is fully suited to their respective market. neither is better suited to the other. For this original poster I would sy if they only worrk in 24P, the the NTSC camera would be better. But the minute it gets mixed, then PAL.

Hope this helps.

Jan
 
Jan, I agree, although I think Mikko was mostly referring to the downstream handling of the 60Hz footage. Yes, it's true that one can successfully use 60Hz in 50Hz country, or 50Hz in 60Hz country (as I do), but considerations have to be made so that ALL equipment is capable of handling the non-country specific footage; be this the tape deck or the monitor, etc.

So, ZzBog: yes, you can successfully run an NTSC/60Hz HVX for 24p acquisition in a PAL/50Hz country, but just make sure all your ancillary equipment is able to handle it too.
 
And what about the case, in which I use the camera in both PAL & NTSC regions? I'm not speculating here, back speak of the real danger.

Which is best? For both Europe and USA?
 
It will depend not in which country you shoot, but how (and where) your final production will be shown at.
You mentioned "I need a camera only for feature filming" that would lean towards a NTSC/60Hz cam.

In the end, if you shoot mainly 720p or higher and travel across the globe, and have final output to both PAL and NTSC, it really doesn't matter too much which cam you pick.
 
Go for PAL ZzBog, i really dont see what the PAL version lacks? 24p? well 25p is as "filmic" as ever, really, i cant tell the difference. Even if you do a film out, the 25p is slowed slightly to 24 i think, so there isnt a problem there either, also if u shoot SD u have the slightly higher res of PAL. My opinion.. stick with PAL since u live in a PAL region.. also there is really nothing PAL lacks from the NTSC version.
 
Jan_Crittenden said:
Mikko, this is not right to say. Each camera is fully suited to their respective market. neither is better suited to the other. For this original poster I would sy if they only worrk in 24P, the the NTSC camera would be better. But the minute it gets mixed, then PAL.
Click to expand...

Jan, All,
I was replying slighty synicly to the stament of the original poster...

ZzBog said:
[...]But I've heard (read), that PAL HVX200s are lacking some features of NTSC ones.
Click to expand...


I agree with Jan, Each camera is well suited for it's environment. In teh general case I'd recomend a PAL camera in a PAL reagion, and an NTSC camera in a NTSC region - just becuse of compatibily (why there are 2 different cameras). If you really need it for a VERY specific use, then that of course will dictate. But neither camera lacks any "features" of the other one, or rather, they both lack the incompatible fomats of the other.

- Mikko
 
i'm also hesitating between the ntsc and pal models.
ntsc hvx is a lot cheaper (in US or japan). 30-40% less expensive.
ntsc get 2.5x slow down, 2x for pal model.
24p (like film) for ntsc.
IRE settings for ntsc model (not pal).
for 720p, same resolution.
all new tv/dvd in europe are pal/ntsc.
 
Delaro,
Be sure to look at the flip sides to your thoughts too..
A NTSC HVX won't have a Warranty in Europe. If something goes wrong, you are on your own.
True about the speeds, though consider how important that really is?
25p is just as film like as 24p, except without all the headaches of pulldown, etc...
IRE is a nanalog video setting, it has very little importance in todays digital production world. And you shouldn't ever turn on 7.5%IRE setup in Europe as it will mess with the picture standard.
What about all teh other modes, where the PAL camera has more resolution?
How about old TVs? Also remrbe that you can't shoot a PAL monitor or it will flicker, as can many lights too as teh frequencies are off.

Just some things to think about. :thumbsup:


P.S. Do you guys use SECAM much over there anymore?

- Mikko
 
mikkowilson said:
Delaro,
Be sure to look at the flip sides to your thoughts too..
A NTSC HVX won't have a Warranty in Europe. If something goes wrong, you are on your own.
True about the speeds, though consider how important that really is?
25p is just as film like as 24p, except without all the headaches of pulldown, etc...
IRE is a nanalog video setting, it has very little importance in todays digital production world. And you shouldn't ever turn on 7.5%IRE setup in Europe as it will mess with the picture standard.
What about all teh other modes, where the PAL camera has more resolution?
How about old TVs? Also remrbe that you can't shoot a PAL monitor or it will flicker, as can many lights too as teh frequencies are off.

Just some things to think about. :thumbsup:


P.S. Do you guys use SECAM much over there anymore?

- Mikko
Click to expand...

no, no more secam ;)
thanx for your answers.
warranty is a risk, but i can take it.
light problem is a good point.
i've never seen any side by side comparison of 25p and 24p. is it really not noticeable? or is there some kind of unconscious feeling that something is a little bit different?
 
goog topic..now I am confused also. I am living in Pal region..but I might need to make both programs for broadcasting in Asia and USA. And howcome Pal version not have 24p..? I didnt realize that before..:(

well friends..what should I do in this situation..?

thanks
 
Say you have a PAL cam and you want to make an NTSC DVD, everyone says slow it down 4%, well...what with? What software will slow it down by stretching the time - holding the frames longer, instead of blending frames or fields? Will Premiere Pro do this, will After Effects?

If after you've slowed it down 4% and taken care of the audio, can you just make a straight to 24P DVD (NTSC) without some kind of PAL conversion to NTSC? Will it look just like a 24Pcam to 24P DVD or will it be slightly softer or something a little off? What's the process, it'd really like to understand. Thanks.
 
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