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Problem with using source footage encoded in 1920i in FCP X without getting pixelation on export
I’m putting a demo reel together with footage from a variety of projects, including HD and SD footage, interlaced and non-interlaced. I’m combining everything into a 1280p sequence in FCP X, using square pixels and Apple ProRes 422 (HQ).
I have an animation sequence that was created in 1080i, Apple Motion JPEG A, 29.97 fps. I’ve scaled this footage down to 1280i, Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), 29.97 fps. When I import this footage into a 1280p project in FCP X (Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), 29.97 fps), it looks fine in the timeline, but when I try to compress it to H.264 for distribution, the text in the animation becomes pixelated.
Because FCP X doesn’t allow me to create a 1280i project, I’ve been going back to FCP 7 with an exported edit from FCP X, opening it up in a new project using 1280i, and then exporting that to Compressor. I get acceptable results, but I would like to avoid having to go back and forth between FCP X and FCP 7. Is there any way to set up a 1280i project in FCP X? I know this isn’t a standard, but it’s what I need to keep all of my footage looking nice. Thanks in advance…
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8 Replies
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Your explanation leaves me a bit confused.
HDTV formats are (WxH) 1920×1080 and 1280×720
That fact that you say you can’t create a 1280i project leads me to believe that what you really want is a 720 project if you want to properly scale down 1920×1080 footage.There is no such thing as 1280i.
Brian Mulligan
Senior Editor – Autodesk Smoke
WTHR-TV Indianapolis,IN, USA
Twitter: @bkmeditor -
Dear Brian,
Sorry for the confusion. Yes, I’m down scaling the original footage from 1080i to 720i. FCP 7 lets you set up a sequence that includes interlaced video, either upper or lower, when setting up a 720 project. I’ve set it up with square pixels, 29.97 fps, Apple ProRes 422.
There is no 720i option in FCP X. So I’ve had to go back to FCP 7 to finish a sequence where the 720i footage is involved.
I know 720i is non-standard, but I don’t want to loose any picture information in a transcode from the interlaced original footage to a 720p transcode. I suppose I could try to “blend” the two fields in a transcode, but I haven’t had a lot of success with that in the past. My main tool has been Compressor for all of my scaling, transcoding, etc.
Does this clarify my problem?
Thanks,
Michael -
Yes. I feel better. 🙂 I would just do a deinterlace upon export. This should work. I have taken 1080i footage to 720p before. Not in FCPX or Compressor…. I have never actually used those programs but the science should be the same.
Brian Mulligan
Senior Editor – Autodesk Smoke
WTHR-TV Indianapolis,IN, USA
Twitter: @bkmeditor -
Dear Brian,
Thanks for the advice. I will try de-interlacing while doing a new transcode to 720p.
Regards,
Michael -
First I help you on your task:
The only way to make a non-standard timeline is via Motion.a) create a project in Motion in 1280×720; upper/lower field first and your framerate. Drop in some generator and render that file.
b) in FCPX import this non-standard file and make a compound clip out of it. Now this compound-timeline should be 1280i and your graphics might look better.Second: I don´t think this is the way to go. It might look good with you, but since this is not a standard it won´t look good anywhere else!
Either you avoid the 1280i in FCP7 (probably the best idea) or in FCPX in the event you click on the 1280i clips, go to the settings view and set the field dominance to a setting that looks good (this is faster than de-interlacing with a filter).
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Can we please stop using 1280i? 1280i implys 1280 pixels high. Regardless of standards, what you want is 720i.
All formats are defined my their vertical resolution. 1080 or 720 or 480. Never is it 1920i or 1280i or 720i in SD.
This is largely due to many HD formats also being anamorphic where the horizontal resolution changes.
We barely have standards as it is in video anymore… can we at least hold on to this one? That way everyone can speak the same video language.
Brian Mulligan
Senior Editor – Autodesk Smoke
WTHR-TV Indianapolis,IN, USA
Twitter: @bkmeditor -
Dear Alban,
Thanks for your tips on creating a non-standard 720i timeline. I would never have thought of using Motion in that way. My concern all along with deinterlacing the footage was the possibility of loosing picture information. I will experiment with the techniques you described to discover which one is the least destructive to the content.
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Your point is well taken. There’s enough confusion already in this sphere without my being cavalier about how I refer the different HD formats. I originally thought the vertical pixel reference seemed a bit arbitrary, but we all have to speak the same language.
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