Conversion Tools

Conversions: Any way you want it

So you shot on NTSC DVCPro, but your post house in London is working in PAL. Or maybe your newly finished program on HDCAM (1080i/59.94) was just picked up to air in Hong Kong. We all dream of a post-production future where the entire planet can agree on one standardized tape format, line rate and frame rate. But until that day, you’ve got us to accomplish the various types of conversions to meet your production needs.

Standards Conversions with the Alchemist Ph.C-HD

At Henninger, standards conversions (converting from NTSC to PAL and vice versa) are a daily task for our highly trained Duplication staff. Our Alchemist Ph.C-HD provides a smooth, motion-compensated conversion for both standard and high definition material. Our main goal when executing your program dub conversions is to ensure that your show is broadcast-ready when it ships either domestically or internationally. That means getting your program to hit on the hour mark and making sure your video and audio are within legal broadcast limits. With conversions, we recommend legalization of your video, which is also a feature in our Alchemist Ph.C-HD. We dub a wide variety HD tape formats, from HDV up to HDCAM-SR. So really, no matter where you start, we can get your program to the standard and tape format you need it in. Here, high definition needs no definition.

Cross-conversions with our Ukon HD converter

Additionally, we have the Ukon HD Converter in our arsenal to dub both HD line conversions (changing 720p to 1080i and vice versa) and aspect ratio changes (i.e., letterboxing an anamorphic image). We also use the Ukon when dubbing to 1080psf/23.98 material. Because of the Ukon’s expansive list of conversion modes, we are able to select the best method for your particular conversion. We examine the blurring and ghosting that can result from changing frame rates and we find the right approach to eliminate as many artifacts as we can. We aim for the highest quality video possible and we have the tools in-house to do just that.

Conversions with our HD Decks

Everyday we straddle two worlds in Duplication: the world of HD and the world of SD. And our Duplication staff has the resources and the knowledge to travel seamlessly between both worlds. While we utilize our HD decks for line conversions, we also use them for down conversions as well, when dubbing from HD to SD. We monitor timecode changes (say your HD master is 24p) as well as aspect ratio. We dub to all types of SD tape formats from BetaSP to Digital Betacam and everything in between. We are also equipped to run DVD screeners with timecode burn-in. Our variety of decks and their vast capabilities help to decrease our delivery time and increase our productivity. In our Core, SD means Smooth Dubbing.

Even More Tools: Legalizers and Limiters

When we’re your last stop before your show goes to air, we can ensure your program is within legal broadcast limits with the use of our legalizers and limiter. Our machine room includes both HD and SD Legalizers that are set to broadcast specifications. We can also use our audio limiter to catch anything that may exceed legal limits. These are great assets to have when dubbing your finalized program.

Around the clock duplication

With our expansive list of resources, not only are we are able to guarantee the best quality conversions for an international market, but a fast turnaround time as well. As either your first or last stop in the post-production chain, Duplication at Henninger aims to keep you on, if not, ahead of schedule. We are staffed 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday, with weekend duplication scheduling available. In other words, your project becomes our project, no matter how small or large your job may be.