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Using 23.98 ProRes 422 Footage in 29.97 DV/DVCPRO NTSC Timeline
Hello!
I am working on a project in FCP 7, primarily shot on Mini DV tapes (720×480, 3:2 NTSC DV), with some 1920×1080 ProRes 422 23.98 B-Roll edited into the sequence. I am ready to send it to compressor to create the DVD file, but am now nervous that there would be a better option then just rendering out 23.98 footage, exporting, and hoping for the best. I have done some test runs, burning the DVD and whatnot, and it doesn’t look too bad, but I am still curious if there is a better option, and I am not finding much on this topic elsewhere. Here’s a summary of the specifics:
– Working FCP7
– Sequence is in 29.97, field dominance lower (even), 720×480, default for the mini DV footage
– All Mini DV footage is 29.97 DV/DVCPRO NTSC, field dominance lower (even)
– Working with ProRes 422 23.98 footage, field dominance none, 1920×1080 scaled to 50% to fit the 720×480 frame.Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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2 Replies
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FCP doesn’t mix frame rates well. It’s pretty bad at it. Always best to convert the footage in compressor before you import. And since you are running a 29.97 interlaced project, converting 23.98 to 29.97i is easy, and makes for smooth footage.
23.98 to 29.97 via Compressor:
1. Drop clips you want to convert into Compressor
2. In Compressor, select your video then right click and choose NEW TARGET WITH SETTING > APPLE > FORMATS > QUICKTIME > APPLE PRORES 422 (HQ). Or pick whatever codec you like to work with.
3. Click on that newly created compression setting to open it in the Inspector window. Click the Encoder tab. Click the Video: (Settings…) button. Make the frame rate 29.97. Check the interlaced box. Set it’s drop down menu to Bottom field first. Click OK.
4. Click the Frame Controls tab. Set Frame Controls to On. Set Output Fields to Bottom first. Leave Deinterlace on Fast. Leave Adaptive Details checked. Leave Rate Conversion set to Fast. Leave the Set Duration to: on 100% and make sure it’s radio button is selected and NOT the “so source frames play at 29.97 fps” button.
5. Make changes to the Filters or Geometry sections as needed. Those settings listed above are the ones critical to getting the proper 3:2 pulldown added.
6. Submit the compression, then bring the resulting video back into Final Cut Pro. Place it in a 29.97 timeline and make sure you watch it on an NTSC monitor to verify that it looks good. If you step through it frame-by-frame you should see the familiar pattern of 2 split/interlaced frames followed by 3 whole frames. This is a very important step. I tried many solutions that looked OK playing back on the computer monitor, but looked terrible on the NTSC monitor.
Shane
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