PAL tapes on NA NTSC GL2? at DVinfo.net

Chris Simpson · February 22nd, 2006, 02:09 AM

I have a friend who just came back from India who shot a bunch of video in PAL. I need to transfer them to the computer and I'm curious if my GL2 will playback the PAL tapes over the firewire link, or if the GL2 will only support NTSC even over firewire?

Thanks

Boyd Ostroff · February 22nd, 2006, 08:39 AM

Unfortunately you're going to need a PAL camera or deck for that job. The only camera which can handle both formats is the Sony Z1. And you will also need to convert the PAL to NTSC if you want to view it in the US on NTSC televisions and DVD players. This can be done with several different software packages.

Monte Comeau · February 24th, 2006, 01:06 AM

Is there different PAL and NTSC blank tapes?

I recently bought some Sony Premium tapes from eBay that are in an Orange celephane wrapper compared to the blue wrappers I have been buying...is there a difference?

Chris Simpson · February 24th, 2006, 11:40 AM

As far as I know, MiniDV tapes are universal. Only the signal being recorded makes a difference (PAL vs NTSC).

Boyd Ostroff · February 24th, 2006, 05:12 PM

Yes, the tapes are all the same. But Sony Premium tapes manufactured for different parts of the world may look different. I got some in Argentina last summer and the packaging was different plus the labeling on the cassettes was slightly different as well. Of course, if you buy from eBay you also need to be wary of counterfeit merchandise. There are evidently a bunch of bogus Sony batteries out there.

February 22nd, 2006, 02:09 AM	#1
Chris Simpson New Boot Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 22	PAL tapes on NA NTSC GL2? I have a friend who just came back from India who shot a bunch of video in PAL. I need to transfer them to the computer and I'm curious if my GL2 will playback the PAL tapes over the firewire link, or if the GL2 will only support NTSC even over firewire? Thanks

February 22nd, 2006, 08:39 AM	#2
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	Unfortunately you're going to need a PAL camera or deck for that job. The only camera which can handle both formats is the Sony Z1. And you will also need to convert the PAL to NTSC if you want to view it in the US on NTSC televisions and DVD players. This can be done with several different software packages.

February 24th, 2006, 01:06 AM	#3
Monte Comeau Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 71	Is there different PAL and NTSC blank tapes? I recently bought some Sony Premium tapes from eBay that are in an Orange celephane wrapper compared to the blue wrappers I have been buying...is there a difference?

February 24th, 2006, 11:40 AM	#4
Chris Simpson New Boot Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 22	As far as I know, MiniDV tapes are universal. Only the signal being recorded makes a difference (PAL vs NTSC).

February 24th, 2006, 05:12 PM	#5
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	Yes, the tapes are all the same. But Sony Premium tapes manufactured for different parts of the world may look different. I got some in Argentina last summer and the packaging was different plus the labeling on the cassettes was slightly different as well. Of course, if you buy from eBay you also need to be wary of counterfeit merchandise. There are evidently a bunch of bogus Sony batteries out there.