I plan to pitch documentaries both to U.S. (NTSC) and European (PAL) buyers and wondered if somebody could suggest what the least expensive method would be to transfer between the two norms. I want to have the least quality loss possible due to the transfer itself. I was told that it was probably a better idea to record on PAL material and then transfer to NTSC rather than the other way around. Is that true? What do I need to transfer? Isn't there a device that could "just do it" without any loss at all (since it is all digital?). Your answers are much appreciated. Lars

-- Lars Kessler (LarsKessler@prodigy.net), December 02, 2000

Answers

To stay in DV i would first recommend the new Sony DSR11 dual record \ play NTSC \ PAL vtr,takes DVCAM & Mini DV cost approx inc vat £1650 to £1850 dependent where you shop.You would then need a conversion unit \ vcr either Samsung or Panasonic for a vcr or try www.lektropacks.co.uk or www.keene.co.uk for stand alone units. Your other options are to try video service providers like myself to do the conversions for you,you do have to depend on the post but will work out a lot cheaper. Regards Charles www.avsvideo.co.uk

-- Charles Higgin (charles@avsvideo.co.uk), May 27, 2001.

THE DSR 11 IS A NICE IDEA, BUT YOU HAVE TO BE WACKED TO USE ONE OF THOSE LOW END VCR'S TO CONVERT, THE QUALITY IS TERRIBLE! IF YOU USE ONE OF THOSE CONVERTERS YOU MIGHT AS WELL SHOOT IN VHS! FOR QUALITY WORK YOU NEED A FOUR FIELD CONVERTER WITH COMPONENT 601 OR FIRE WIRE IN AND OUT. A GOOD QUALITY CONVERTER WITH THESE FEATURES IS AROUND 12,000, THE BEST CONVERTERS WITH "MOTION VECTOR" COMPENSATION IS OVER $100,000, OUR COMPANY HAS BOTH. ACCORD VIDEO SERVICES IN MIAMI, FL OR IN FT. LAUDERDALE, FL CAN PROVIDE THE HIGHER QUALITY SERVICE 800 833- 1245 OR 305 856-1245

-- MAX WYLER (MAX@ACCORDVIDEO.COM), August 09, 2001.