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Transcode SD to HD timeout
I’m attempting to transcode SD clips to HD in our Avid Adrenaline. Most of the SD is 2:1 29.97. The HD project is 720p 59.94. Any attempts to transcode the SD to HD DNxHD 145 stop at exactly the 50% mark everytime. Is this because the frame rates don’t match? If so, is there a way to deal with this? I also attempted to transcode a clip that was 1:1, but the result was the same – the process stops at the 50% mark and does not continue no matter how long I wait. It doesn’t crash the machine – I can easily cancel the transcode. Any help is much appreciated.
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9 Replies
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Update on my problem: When working in a 1080i 59.94 project, the transcoding works just fine. So, apparently, the interlacing is causing the issue. So I guess my question is: can SD 29.97 interlaced footage be transcoded to 720p in Avid?
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Stan,
I haven’t done that exact transcode, but it likely is because of the frame rates.
Avid just dropped a new update you can download that works with multiple framerates on the same timeline.
Other than that, I would suggest going this route: https://www.24p.com/conversion.htm
Regards,
Joe Womble
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Thanks – I’ll check into the update. The conversion method you linked to looks a little cumbersome for the amount of clips we’re going to need to convert here, but if that’s what we gotta do…
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This is going to be extremely easy as soon as you can get your hands on MC4….
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You were on the right track in the first place. You have 30 frame material going into 60 frames. So it is half as long.
When you went up to 1080 59.94i, you were still at 30 frames. When you see the i after the frame rate in HD, it means it’s counting the fields. Yeah I know, stupid as hell, don’t tell me about it.
You can use fluidmotion in your 30 frame project to make the clip twice as long then export as QT and reimport into the 720P project.
You will have to turn on “ignoreqtframerate” True in your console commands.
And as was previously mentioned, this is about to go away in MC4. YEAH!
Terence Curren
http://www.alphadogs.tv
http://www.digitalservicestation.com
Burbank,Ca -
Thanks – because I’m working with a ton of SD material and MC4 can’t get here soon enough, I think my best bet is to simply work in 1080i, then let the Avid convert the final output to 720p (which is the format it will be broadcast in) using the video output tool. Do you see any potential problems with this? I just can’t see going through fluidmotion and a quicktime export/import for every SD clip. I’m working on a series of 30-minute shows, with about half the content being upconverted SD material.
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[Stan Fracker] ” I think my best bet is to simply work in 1080i, then let the Avid convert the final output to 720p (which is the format it will be broadcast in) using the video output tool.”
This was the conclusion I came to many years ago. It is why I came up with the saying “Friends don’t let friends edit 720P in Avid.”
I have personally finished many shows in 1080i with a 720P output at the end. It is a problem free workflow.
Terence Curren
http://www.alphadogs.tv
http://www.digitalservicestation.com
Burbank,Ca -
Thanks – your input is helping me out alot. Now that I’ve settled on 1080i for editing, perhaps you can suggest the best composition setting for any After Effects projects that I may need to do. Should I just go 1920×1080 with a 29.97 frame rate? Is there any need to go 59.94? In an effort to save on render times and file sizes, could I go 1280×720 without any noticeable dropoff in quality (still importing it to a full 1080i size in Avid)? For the most part, I would be working with high res photos, though there are times I’ll have some HD 720p as well as 4×3 SD quicktimes.
Thanks again for any advice you can offer here.
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[Stan Fracker] “Should I just go 1920×1080 with a 29.97 frame rate? “
Yes.
[Stan Fracker] “Is there any need to go 59.94?”
No, as you would just lose half of those frames on import and it would probably look choppy. Just render out of AE to match your Avid settings. For example, DNxHD220 1920×1080 59.94i (29.97 frames) and 601 color space. This will make for the fastest imports into Avid. If whoever is doing the graphics doesn’t have the DNxHD codecs, have them download from the Avid website.
[Stan Fracker] “In an effort to save on render times and file sizes, could I go 1280×720 without any noticeable dropoff in quality (still importing it to a full 1080i size in Avid)?”
No, what happens is Avid has to resize on import. A: It will take a VERY long time. B: It will look terrible as Avid does a bad job on resizing in import. Going 1080 takes more drive space, but not if you are working in DNxHD. Make sure the GFX are DNxHD 220X. The “X” is for 10 bit which will help in the graphics world.
Since the output is resized through the Nitris hardware, it does a very nice job of it. Technically you aren’t “Down Converting” when you go out 720 you are “Cross Converting”. This is really just a clever marketing thing to make you think there is no quality difference.
[Stan Fracker] “For the most part, I would be working with high res photos, though there are times I’ll have some HD 720p as well as 4×3 SD quicktimes. “
The photos will be fine but you can also use “Moving Picture” from StageTools to make moves while using all the resolution of the original photo. The advantage is not having to go out to AE. This makes changes much easier.
The 720P source stuff I would convert in the deck and take the 1080 out to your Avid.
Terence Curren
http://www.alphadogs.tv
http://www.digitalservicestation.com
Burbank,Ca
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