Converting PAL to NTSC (and Vice-Versa)

The VEGAS Pro timeline supports any combination of media types. You can mix and match NTSC or PAL video in your project, and the software will perform any necessary conversion based on the template you choose when you render your project.

If you want to convert individual files, perform one of the following procedures.

Basic conversion

  1. Create a new project.

  2. On the Video tab of the Project Properties dialog, choose the template that matches the desired output format. For example, choose NTSC DV if you're converting PAL video to NTSC, or choose PAL DV to convert NTSC video to PAL. For more information, see Setting project properties

  3. Add the file you want to convert to the timeline.

  4. Render the project:

    1. From the File menu, choose Render As. The Render As dialog is displayed.

    2. Choose the folder and file name you want to use to save your file.

    3. In the Output Format box, choose Video for Windows (*.avi) and then choose the rendering template that matches the desired output format.

    4. Click the Render button.

Converting NTSC 24p DV into 25p PAL video

If you want your project to be the same length, just render to the PAL DV template with no changes as described in the previous procedure. VEGAS Pro software will perform field rendering and frame blending, which will look just fine.

If you want to match the way feature films are transferred to PAL, follow these steps.

  1. Render your 24p project using the NTSC DV 24p (inserting 2-3-3-2 pulldown) template. For more information, see Rendering projects (Render As)

  2. Start a new project using the NTSC DV 24p (720x480, 23.976 fps) template. For more information, see Creating a new project

  3. On the General tab of the Preferences dialog, select the Allow pulldown removal when opening 24p DV check box. For more information, see Preferences - General Tab

  4. Add the NTSC 24p DV rendered clip to the VEGAS Pro timeline.

  5. Right-click the clip, choose Switches, and then select Disable Resample.

  6. Set the ruler format to Absolute Frames. For more information, see Time ruler

  7. Press Ctrl+End to move the cursor to the end of the clip.

  8. Copy the cursor position to the clipboard:

    1. Press Ctrl+G to select the cursor position in the status bar.

    2. Press Ctrl+C to copy it to the clipboard.

    3. Press Esc.

  9. Change the project format to PAL DV (720x576, 25.000 fps).

  10. In the Project Properties dialog, choose None (progressive) from the Field order drop-down list. For more information, see Setting project properties

  11. Return the cursor to the previous position:

    1. Press Ctrl+G to select the cursor position in the status bar.

    2. Press Ctrl+V to paste the value you copied in step 8.

      The cursor should move to a location about 96% of the way through the clip.

  12. From the Options menu, select Enable Snapping.

  13. From the Options menu, deselect Ignore Event Grouping.

  14. Hold Ctrl and drag the end of the clip until it snaps to the cursor.

    You’ve just sped up the clip by about 4%, exactly matching the 24p material to 25p frame locations and stretching the audio to match. 

  15. Verify that the audio event's pitch shifting is tied to its stretching length:

    1. Right-click the audio and choose Properties from the shortcut menu to display the Event Properties dialog.

    2. Verify that Classic is selected in the Method drop-down list.

    3. Verify that the Pitch change: Lock to stretch checkbox is selected.

    4. Click OK.

  16. Render the project:

    1. From the File menu, choose Render As. The Render As dialog is displayed.

    2. In the Output File box, choose the folder and file name you want to use to save your file.

    3. In the Output Format box, choose Video for Windows (*.avi) and then choose the rendering template that matches the desired output format.

    4. Click the Customize Template button.

    5. On the Video tab of the Custom Template dialog, choose None (progressive scan) from the Field order drop-down list.

    6. Click the Save Template button and save this template as PAL 25p DV for future use.

    7. Click the OK button to close the Custom Template dialog.

    8. Click the Render button to render your file.