• Apple Final Cut Pro Legacy

  UPRESING SD to HD using compressor

  Posted by Jason O’hara on January 30, 2010 at 12:03 am

  I am trying to figure out how to upres some SD footage using compressor and am confused. The majority of our footage (75%) is HDV 1080/60i and so will be our final output. The remaining footage is mostly SD – some is anamorphic, some not. I understand that final cut’s scaling is not very good and been advised to use compressor instead to upres of SD footage. I’m aware of more expensive options but looking for optimal free upres solution.
  I assume this means converting all the footage in a batch in compressor vs. scaling in a final cut timeline, and export using compressor? Could I not just work with the SD footage in my 1080/60i timeline and do the conversion with compressor on final output? I think no, but appreciate clarification.
  Also, I have also been advised that I should upres the SD to ProRes422 1080/60i vs. HDV 1080/60i. I am wondering how easily this ProRes footage will mesh with all the HDV footage on the timeline? I’ve heard editing HDV on a ProRes timeline is a nightmare, how about editing ProRes footage on an HDV timeline?
  Your answers and general advice are much appreciated.

  Michael Sacci replied 16 years, 3 months ago 2 Members · 1 Reply
• 1 Reply

• 

  Michael Sacci

  January 30, 2010 at 12:27 am

  First don’t upres to ProRes if you are going to use it in an HDV timeline, it will be rendered to HDV in the end so you are not gaining anything and will require a lot more rendering. It would make sense if your workflow was to convert everything to ProRes (HDV footage also) at the start.

  But for the best quality you would need to use compressor and turn on the Frames Control, you need to play with all the settings to get the results you are happy with, these are not quick conversions so test and be prepared to let things work over night. The manual explains what all the settings do.

  Now if you want to just drop the footage in an HDV timeline then you will have to spend some money. Natress makes filters and Red Giant does also, not very expensive (not quick either) but you end up only waiting on the sections of clips you use verses converting everything.

  As for the 4:3 I want upconvert as pillbox which means there are black bars right and left to get 4:3 to 16:9 HD is twice the enlargement.

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