Converting PAL to NTSC....
 

Okay, I'm completely ignorant of the techy stuff for this issue, because it's never come up until now.

I just bought a DVD that's region-free, but since it's from Norway/Germany, it's in PAL format. I have the .ISO ripped onto my computer for it, but I need to know if there's some relatively simple way to convert it to NTSC format. Because as it is now, none of my DVD players can play it, and I really don't want to buy a new player for one or two PAL DVDs. I would prefer the software involved to be freeware, but I suppose if there's no other solution I would be willing to pay. I just need suggestions on whichsoftware and whatnot, because I have no idea which to use. That and I'm hoping there's more of a simple solution to the conversion (unlike this guide).

I can watch it on my computer, but I really would prefer to see it on a regular TV screen, anywhere I want. Thanks in advance :).

Unfortunately, I was going to suggest something very similar to the article that you linked. :)

You might try to use DVD Shrink 3.2 to get the VOB files decoded onto your harddrive. Then you can try to use DVDx 2.3 to make a MPEG2/DVD/SVCD file that could burn right to DVD. I haven't used it in a while, but it's fairly easy to use and should be able to get the job done for you.

Would that allow me to burn the entire DVD or just the main movie file? Because there's a significant amount of extras and really interesting animated menus that I was hoping to keep intact...

... I mean, if there's no other way, then I guess I'll have to slog through one of those step-by-step things and hope that my brain somewhat decodes all the technical mumbo-jumbo >___>...

Just buy a Philips DVP642
http://www.dealtime.com/xPO-Philips_DVD_3_2_Proscan
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/produ...&cm_keycode=66

Well... I already have three DVD players, and two computers. I don't really want more hardware >___>. Especially since it would still cost me around $50 to get a new DVD player that is totally unneccessary. I guess I could sell one of them, but still. I'd rather not.

And I didn't see anything in the specs about that Phillips as being PAL-compatible?? Is it just something that they don't say? Or do you know from personal experience?

Well you said you made an ISO out of it right? As long as you're sure you ripped the DVD fully 100%, when you burn it the menus and extras should still be intact. Believe me I've downloaded .ISOs of movies before, and when I burned them using DVD Decrypter (decent program for ripping and burning DVDs, I recommend it) the menus were all there, scene selection, etc.

Oh yes and about the PAL > NTSC thing, go with what Dayvon suggested. Get DVD Shrink, which you should be able to make VIDEO_TS folder (.VOB) files out of, and when you're burning that (with either DVD Decrypter or something else you're comfortable with) it should automatically be region-free anyway.

To answer you question yes it it Pal compatible, because I can play region 2 dvd's from UK on this player fine.

Procedure:
- Open the trail
- Type 5,6,9,ok
Unit displayed:
"Model 642/37"
"Ver1223 642/37 01 E 1"
- Type 7,8,9,Ok,0
Unit displayed:
"0" on the downleft corner
Unit is playing region 1 and 4
Divx subtitles is also working fine, with a good character size and a grey background when superposes the image, with no firmware upgrade.
This is an excellent DVD/Divx player and the price is fare !

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks.ph...hilips+DVP+642


This works because my dvd player was brought 2 months ago.

Double Post:
It is region free and will play any type of dvd once the above procedures are followed correctly.

Well, I suppose that is the least headache-inducing way to go...buying the Philips DVD player. I can afford it, it's available at my local Circuit City on sale and maybe my roommates will want to use it back in Austin after I get it. Or something.

I really didn't want to spend more money, but oh well. I love this $85 Kaizers Orchestra DVD :(.

I was under the impression that those dont work anymore after a certain period. I saw reviews complaining about how some of those players would crap out in like a week.

The reviews on Circuit City's website are quite the contrary, for the Philips DVP642 -- which is what I got. Same story on Dealtime. I haven't read any completely negative reviews or comments, aside from people saying it's not user-friendly (and there are a lot of people who make DVD players more complicated than they really are).

I'm not too concerned.