Author Topic: what sells better, NTSC or PAL (Read 9079 times)

leaf · « **on:** May 07, 2008, 04:17 »

I am looking at buying a camera and trying to figure out wether to buy a NTSC camera or PAL camera. I am thinking of buying the Canon HV30. Since I am back and forth betwen Norway and Canada I don't think either format has a 'what you use at home' advantage.... so i am thinking sales potential has the biggest weighing factor.

From what I have gathered so far from shutterstock forums and such.
-some poeple say NTSC sells better (so far)
-others say PAL outsells NTSC by a ratio of 5:1
-some say that NTSC is most popular now, but PAL may be in the future since more countries in the world use PAL.

or maybe.. it doesn't matter since the end user will find what he wants and want THAT exact video and just convert it himself.

stokfoto · « **Reply #1 on:** May 07, 2008, 06:12 »

I mainly sell PAL files but I don't know if I loose any sales because of the format that I use . I am also thinking of a buying a new video camera as well but perhaps I'd stick with PAL but as you say people often say most buyers were from the US thus NTSC could be more popular,I don't know?

dbajurin · « **Reply #2 on:** May 07, 2008, 06:58 »

I suggesting for to buy PAL camera because you can easily convert PAL to NTSC and NTSC can't convert to PAL without image quality losses.

So buy PAL, convert to NTSC and upload both.
Dario

dbajurin · « **Reply #3 on:** May 07, 2008, 07:00 »

And I forgot to mention.

NTSC is selling much more than PAL. For me rate is aprox. 3:1

leaf · « **Reply #4 on:** May 07, 2008, 07:14 »

Quote from: dbajurin on May 07, 2008, 06:58

So buy PAL, convert to NTSC and upload both.
Dario

I have read a fair bit on the shutterstock forums that it is strongly advised NOT to convert the video. The buyer can do that if he wants another format, but if we start converting ourselves, we might convert PAL to NTSC, then the buyer buys the NTSC but wants the PAL and converts it again ... bad new.

I read many times that you should just upload the ORIGINAL format.

dbajurin · « **Reply #5 on:** May 07, 2008, 08:50 »

I am telling you from Istock perspective. They have joint function for putting all versions on the same page and buyer can choose what they want.

But, as I am editor and director for long time now and with Istock from video begining (2 accounts - 1 private and 1 for company) this statement is true and it is not true.
In 99% cases, every clip you can convert from PAL to NTSC with just converting resolution but without resampling frame rate, just renumbering frames to NTSC frame rate. In that case NTSC clip is little bit speed up but you don't loose quality. And this speed variation is not visible to common buyers.
In fact when you convert from PAL to NTSC with proper tool you reduce noise and sharpen image also.

So If you shoot PAL and convert to NTSC you attract all buyers. But if you shoot NTSC you loose all PAL editors and producers because NTSC to PAL conversion can't fulfill broadcast standards (In some cases such documentaries can).

I can tell you that buyers who don't understand difference they are buying web and HD web resolutions because that is what they need. Editors and producers know the difference and they are buying exact type witch is very easy to choose on Istock.
Istock have also policy to refund of money for buyers who download wrong version.

I think that IS has very nice HD, PAL, NTSC page for video and I read on the web that Istock has more than 80% of video business in microstock video. I can't confirm that because I am exclusive to Istock but if someone can tell something about earning on both sites it will be very nice. Thnx!

dnavarrojr · « **Reply #6 on:** August 05, 2008, 06:08 »

If you are shoot HD and putting it up, no conversion is necessary.

I submit everything as HD 1080 at 30 fps. The customer can easily convert it to 25 fps if they want.

From my personal experience (and extensive research) 1920x1080 outsells all other formats nearly 3:1 as it can easily be downconverted to other formats, but upconverting from SD or even 720p doesn't always work well.