720 scaled to 4K???

[Alex Vargas]

Hello Terrence,

Huge thanks to you and much appreciation for your work.

I am in post for my first feature, to be sent out to international festivals in about six months after I complete the edit, subtitling three languages, color correction, 5.1 Surround sound design and score (after which, a long holiday will be due). I am about 20% done with all post as mentioned above. I plan to test a 5 minutes scene into the different delivery requirements for festivals to be as ready as I can when all post is done.

I hope it is OK to ask, here, what may seem obvious to most, but not to me. This will be my first DCP work.

My timeline in FCP7 is set to Prores (HQ) 1080p 30fps. All my XDCAM (EX) footage is being transcoded, one scene at a time into Prores (HQ).

I will end up with an approximately 90 min movie in Prores (HQ) exported from FCP7 and 5.1 Surround sound edited in Logic 9. I will probably choose to crop it and then blow it up to fit the DCP Flat 2K (1998×1080), or maybe I’ll check out how it looks chopped on the sides, which you mentioned most won’t notice. I guess I’ll meet some projectionists either way. 🙂

Being that the transcode will turn my current 30p into 24p, I would simply like to know if you think this will maintain the original quality or degrade it. I know I have to try myself and I will, but a word from your experience would be very appreciated.

However, a million thanks go in advance go for OpenDCP.

Alex Vargas
filmmaker/composer
Macpro 5,1 12 core 48GB RAM – 16 Bay RAID – ATTO
Macbookpro 15″
FCP 7+/Logic 9

[Nick Meyers]

“Being that the transcode will turn my current 30p into 24p”

that’s about the worst possible combo for a frame-rate conversion, as you have to drop one frame in every 6
there’s no neat way to do it, AFAIK

“All my XDCAM (EX) footage is being transcoded, one scene at a time into Prores (HQ). ”

you’re not doing this frame-tate conversion while you transcode your footage are you?
are you transcoding original footage or edited scenes?

your best bet would be to transcode your original footage, maintaining the original frame-rate
when your film is completed, do the frame-rate conversion through the best hardware you can get your hands on.

nick

[Alex Vargas]

Thanks Nick,

I am transcoding my footage to Prores (HQ) with the Media Manager in FCP 7, one scene at a time, without changing the frame rate. I chose to do this to only transcode to Prores what I know I will use. When the edit is locked and all sound and color is finished, I’ll transcode for different delivery destinations.

I normally shoot to match delivery needs, but in this case I have to go 30 to 24. I believe that OpenDCP can transcode from various frame rates, including 30 fps, which is why I am asking here if transcoding from Prores 1080p 30 fps to DCP (which must be 24fps) will degrade the quality.

The poster’s footage is already at 24fps, so there has been no talk about frame rate changes made with OpenDCP. This is where I am “hacking” the thread, in need clarification, both about it being possible to go 30 to 24 with OpenDCP and if it will degrade quality.
I believe it is a relevant question, but only if I understand right, that OpenDCP is able to transcode and change frame rates while at it.

Am I wrong?

Alex Vargas
filmmaker/composer
Macpro 5,1 12 core 48GB RAM – 16 Bay RAID – ATTO
Macbookpro 15″
FCP 7+/Logic 9

[Terrence Meiczinger]

OpenDCP deals with image frames, so there is no transcoding. You tell OpenDCP how to interpret those image frames. So, if you have a 20 second clip at 30fps, you’d have 600 frames. If you then tell OpenDCP it’s 24fps, you’ll end up with a 25 seconds picture track (600frames/24fps = 25s). It won’t magically rate convert your video. You can make a 30fps DCP (not 29.97) and most series 2 equipment will play it. However, some of the earlier digital systems may not. You’d have to check with the venue where your content would be playing. You could always make both.

[Alex Vargas]

Thank you for the clear explanation Terrence,

I have to rate convert 30 fps to 24 fps before creating a DCP. There is no other way.
I am glad I got that clear now.

I’ll figure out what alternative delivery requirements other festivals will have and continue testing.

Thanks!

Alex Vargas
filmmaker/composer
Macpro 5,1 12 core 48GB RAM – 16 Bay RAID – ATTO
Macbookpro 15″
FCP 7+/Logic 9