-
Rendering
Just bought a Canon XF300 and was excited to get it into post. I know this camera is capable of producing high end pic quality as the BBC has approved it for production use.
That said, I have used multiple internal camera settings and worked a lot with different color grading in post. I am real satisfied with the look of the shot while shooting, BUT have been disappointed when actually rendering it out. Im left with a file that doesn’t look that much different then a simple consumer HD camera from Best Buy.
It leads me to believe my render settings or project settings may be off? Don’t have a ton of experience in post but I was certain when I got this camera the pic quality would really “POP” when I rendered it out.
Can anyone shed any light on different render settings or project settings I should be using. It seems like I have tried most of them and get a similar result. Ultimately, much more “grainy” and pixelated then I thought.
Thanks for any help!!
-
15 Replies
-
Way too much missing information.
What resolution did you shoot? What is your editing workflow? How are your viewing the final output?Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com -
Along with Stephen questions, if you know what you are
doing when rendering, you have nothing to worry about.
But you need to provide better info…Where is your media destined?Steve Rhoden
(Cow Leader)
Film Editor & Compositor.
Filmex Creative Media.
https://www.facebook.com/FilmexCreativeMedia
1-876-832-4956 -
Appreciate the response! Im shooting 1920×1080 resolution. 60i frame rate. I have went back and forth using both automatic and manuel settins as it relates to the shutter speed, aperture, and white balancing. I use the zebra lines at 80% to try and stay away from over-exposure etc. When filming outside I tend to get a “crisper” shot, yet the indoor footage is just ok. I was especially disappointed when doing interview style shots with a green screen. Alot of the reviews said this camera would be great for that, yet I don’t feel like its any easy keying out. Ultimately I simply don’t see a huge difference btwn the canonxf300 film and my old xha1.
Not sure what you mean by “work flow” but Im viewing the final output file in Windows Media player.
Hope that answers your question or at least some of it.
Again, thanks for the time!
-
Since this camera shoots 4:2:2, you should get pretty good chromakey results. But we have no clue to your workflow: How you get from camera to finished product.
Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com -
Ok. Here is my basic process.
I import video files from cf card via usb cable provided. I open a new project with the following project settings.
“width: 1920 height: 1080.” “field order: upper field 1st.” “pixel aspect ratio: 1.0000 (square).” “output location: 0 deg (original).” “frame rate: 29.970 (NTSC).” “pixel format: 8 bit.” “full-resolution rendering quality: best.” “motion blur: Gaussian.” “deinterlace method: blend fields.” “adjust source media to better match project or render settings. box checked.”
When I go to render I typically use “Main concept MPEG-2”. “Template: HDV: 1080-60i.
Thanks again. Hopefully this answers your question.
-
You didn’t answer the last question – how are you viewing the output? DVD, PC, Projector?
Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com -
My fault, right on the PC via windows media player…
-
I forgot that you mentioned it in one of the earlier posts.
But you went from good to bad in most steps.HDV is 4:2:0 colorspace, so you’re throwing out some data right there. And Windows Media Player is simply crap. I don’t know what they do to the video, but try using the free VLC media player. That’s what most of us use.
As Steve Rhoden said above, what is your final delivery?
Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com -
Ok cool, think I’m starting to get it. I’m ultimately starting to do some video marketing for some friends and want to put some nice looking stuff on their website home pages. It will obviously get uploaded to Youtube or Vimeo.
That said, sounds like your suggestion there is different rendering settings for putting stuff on the web? Also, you mentioned that HDV is 4:2:0…what can I use that is 4:2:2 like my camera?
And do the “project settings” matter in the final delivery? Or does the render simply override those settings?
Thanks!!!
-
YouTube likes Sony AVC and Vimeo likes MOV files. I use the free Avid DNxHD codec for Vimeo.
I am pretty sure that anything but HDV will keep the 4:2:2 colorspace.
Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up