View Full Version : Z1: Can I use Cineframe 25 over 24 for NTSC?


Elliot Smith
April 26th, 2006, 01:53 AM
I'm sure this will require a conversion, but what if I were to shoot in Cineframe 25 (which has gotten more positive feedback) in PAL, then convert to NTSC in post? Would this not give a close to 24p look? Or would I just lose resolution? Would people notice the extra frame?

I'm sure someone has to have thought of this, and there's probably a problem in the conversion that would make it less than the best way to go, but it couldn't hurt to ask.

Also someone mentioned that PAL has a better color pallette than NTSC. Would that be possible if one camera did both, as is the case with the Z1?

Dylan Pank
April 26th, 2006, 02:54 AM
Elliot, do a search, this is one of the most discussed issues on this board. I recommend a bit of reading and research.

Shortish answer(s)
yes, it would be close to 24p, people would not notice the frame as you'd slow the footage down 4%. you'd need to convert the speed of the sound and correct the pitch. NTSC is not 24p so you'd need to convert it to 2:3 pulldown 60i (unless making a progressive scan DVD), PAL does not have better colour than NTSC but has a different, not better, colour sampling scheme (4:2:0 rather than 4:1:1) but it does have higher resolution.


Even short answer - people have been doing it for years...

Elliot Smith
April 26th, 2006, 09:00 AM
My apologies, chalk it up to newbieness, that was my first post. Thanks for the info, looks like that may not be the solution I'm looking for, not with a 4% slow down.

John Rofrano
April 26th, 2006, 10:36 PM
You can read all about this (Z1 25p to 24p conversion) at the CineForm (http://www.cineform.com/products/SonyHDVSupport/CineFrame.htm) web site. Shooting 25p and slowing down by 4% is done all the time to convert PAL to 24p. It is a lot better than using CineFrame24 alone unless you have Connect HD which will reverse telecine the Sony CineFrame24 back to 24p for you. Connect HD will also do the 4% slowdown from 25p to 24p for you as well. It’s a great tool to have if you want 24p out of your Z1 because you have both options available.

~jr