7 Replies Latest reply: Mar 4, 2013 5:03 PM by JSS1138 RSS

    horizontal lines when converting PAL to NTSC

    bravedog Community Member

      I've imported PAL mpeg files into Premiere where they have pronounced "combing" or horizontal lines strongly visible especially during motion when viewing both fields in Premiere Program window and in export, but NOT for same clip in Source window or when viewing the files, before import into Premiere, in Media Player etc.. I've read a number of posts and info on field order, but no changes in the field options dialog box seem to remove them.  I

       

      It seems to be a defect introduced in Premiere through my Sequence settings and not simply a field settings problem.  I have not set Sequence settings to match clip settings, but to my intended output settings [clips are PAL and I'm exporting to NTSC]. Apparently Premiere in its conversion is introducing these artifacts.

       

      If I set the Sequence settings to match the clip settings it fixes the problem - but then when I move to Encore and build, won't this just reintroduce the problem [in a way I won't see till I try to watch the dvd]?

       

      Is it good or bad policy to set Sequence settings to desired output settings [what I've been assuming to now]? Any suggestions on how to avoid creating these "combing" artifacts converting from PAL to NTSC, which seems to be the problem? thanks

        • 1. Re: horizontal lines when converting PAL to NTSC
          joe bloe premiere Community Member

          Is it good or bad policy to set Sequence settings to desired output settings [what I've been assuming to now]?

          How do I choose the right sequence settings?

          • 2. Re: horizontal lines when converting PAL to NTSC
            bravedog Community Member

            Thanks for your reply. But my reading of this FAQ is that when using multiple file types, it's best to use the primary file   type  for the sequence because then there is less conversion in sum within the Premiere project.

             

            The problem of the final conversion to output type still exists as a separate step. Certainly the possibility of artifacts being introduced when outputting an NTSC sequence to PAL still exists.

             

            In my particular case, all used files are of the same PAL type, so there is no question of differential conversion within the Premiere project. The problem being discussed is in the conversion to NTSC; if this isn't done in Premiere it will occur in Encore without me being able to preview quality. So isn't it preferable to set the sequence to NTSC in Premiere? Or are you implying if files look ok in Premiere settings, Encore will deal with conversion better than Premiere would have?

            • 3. Re: horizontal lines when converting PAL to NTSC
              JSS1138 CommunityMVP

              Premiere Pro may not be the best tool for PAL>NTSC conversion.  See the link below.  The process was originally designed to covert 30i NTSC into 24p, but the ability to convert between PAL and NTSC is also there.

               

              http://bellunevideo.com/tutdetail.php?tutid=15

              • 4. Re: horizontal lines when converting PAL to NTSC
                bravedog Community Member

                ok, for the benefit of anyone who finds this thread looking to solve similar issues, here's what I've learned.

                 

                Premiere introduces or can introduce strong "combing" or horizontal lines in PAL video which is placed in an NTSC sequence. These artifacts are related to field dominance issues, but are genuine artifacts introduced to the file which cannot be solved by changing field order etc. [It's unclear if they would arise with similar strength if the Premiere sequence was left in PAL format, then Encore was left to do the NTSC conversion later - since this is quite possible it seems preferable to create the Premiere sequence in NTSC so it can be previewed for artifacts [must set to view both fields in Premiere program window or may miss artifacts till outputting]].

                 

                The problem can be largely solved by converting the PAL files to NTSC using another program better at performing this conversion, before importing into an NTSC sequence in Premiere. Adobe Media Encoder works satifactorily, as does AVS Video Converter, and presumably other programs supposedly including Procoder. Hope this helps

                • 5. Re: horizontal lines when converting PAL to NTSC
                  JamminJG

                  is there anything current on this topic?  in seveal forums, its mentioned that premier is not the best tool for converting pal files to ntsc and links to thrid party companies that supposedly "do a better job" but none are still in existance.  So, does CS6 do a better job of this?   thanks...

                  • 6. Re: horizontal lines when converting PAL to NTSC
                    John T Smith CommunityMVP

                    From what I have read, it is better to use a different product

                     

                    Convert NTSC <--> PAL http://forums.adobe.com/thread/995779

                    • 7. Re: horizontal lines when converting PAL to NTSC
                      JSS1138 CommunityMVP

                      none are still in existance.

                       

                      Jeff's tutorial is, and all the tools are free (and probably better than anything you'd pay for anyway).