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Mixing DVX and DSLR Footage in FCP7
Hey Creative Cow Folks…
So, I am editing a documentary in FCP 7. I’m mixing HVX and DSLR footage, and would appreciate some advice.
3/4 of my footage is HVX footage, which has already been brought into FCP at 960×720, 23.98.
The other 1/4 of the footage is raw H.264 files from the DSLR at 1920×1080. Half of this is at 23.98, and half is at 29.97.
How would you guys advise mixing these? My instinct was to set up my FCP timeline at 960×720 23.98, and then covert my 23.98 H.264 footage in Compressor to DVCPro HD (960×720). Then take the 29.97 H.264 footage into Twixtor for a frame rate conversion, and back out to DVCPro HD (960×720)?
Then upon final delivery I could upres everything to 1920×1080? This will screen at festivals, etc, so I want to have the most robust finishing format.
Anyway, I would appreciate your thoughts!
Thanks–
Kate
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2 Replies
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[Kate Hackett] “I want to have the most robust finishing format.”
Then don’t use a DVCPRO HD timeline. Use a ProRes timeline…1280×720, 23.98. Most of your footage is 720p 23.98…so stick with that. Convert the DSLR footage to ProRes 1920×1080. If it is Canon 5D Mark II…or 7D or T2i, you can use Log and Transfer. If not, then Compressor is your best bet.
Frame rate conversion? Twixtor might work for that…I haven’t heard of it used for anything other than making super slow motion…but if it does frame rate conversions from 29.97 to 23.98 and keeps the same running time…sure, why not?
[Kate Hackett] “Then upon final delivery I could upres everything to 1920×1080? This will screen at festivals, etc,”
I’d only do that if you are going out to HDCAM tape, and use a Kona 3G to output…that’s a hardware conversion. Software conversion will make it softer. But it depends on what festivals can play back…can they take 720p? If not, then you’ll need to go 1080. Then that other 1/4 of the film shot at 1080 will have been downconverted, and then upconverted…so might not look all that great.
Might be best to bring things over to a 1920×1080 ProRes 23.98 sequence, resize the 720p and try that. It’ll be softer than if you used a hardware converter, but not too far off. PPro does a better upscale, but you aren’t using that.
Shane
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This is super-helpful, Shane! Thanks so much!!! Kate
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