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compressing native XD Cam HD to SD?
Can anybody clue me in on the right export method of exporting a native XD Cam sequence of 1440 X 1080 24P to a standard def 4:3 Quicktime file with letter box? Do I use Export using Quicktime Conversion or Compressor? What settings do I use to resize it to Sd with letter box? No matter what I try, I keep getting a stretched image.
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9 Replies
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What is your final product? DVD? If so, Compressor would be a great idea.
If it’s for broadcast, you could use the F70 deck to do the conversion for you.
There are all sorts of ways getting it to SD letterbox.
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Wayne Carey
Schazam Productions
http://www.schazamproductions.com
https://blogs.creativecow.net/waynecarey -
Sorry, don’t have the deck. The client shot the footage and gave it to me as files to edit. I will have to do both a DVD and exported Quicktimes. I’m most perplexed about the letter box thing most of all. It seems that even when I select export as standard def 4:3 with letter box cropping, I still manage to get a stretched image without letter box? What steps during the export (either using compressor or Quicktime conversion) am I missing?
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Ok…. that answers a few things.
One thing to keep in mind. Standard def video is always 4:3. HD video is always 16:9.
To get a 16:9 video into 4:3 letterbox, you’ll need to do this in Final Cut Pro. Your exported video that you have is actually anamorphic video. Import this into FCP and set your Easy Setup to an SD Anamorphic sequence, then drop your video into this sequence and render.
Another way would be to use Compressor and use the droplet under the Advanced Format Conversions folder called DVCPRO50 NTSC Anamorphic. This will make your video into a letterboxable format. Quicktime will not add the letterbox but you can force it to show a correct 16:9 SD video stream. From there you can make your DVD very easily. DVDSP will letterbox video for you, if needed.
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Wayne Carey
Schazam Productions
http://www.schazamproductions.com
https://blogs.creativecow.net/waynecarey -
This is so simple, just put your footage in a 4×3 sequence, FCP will letterbox it for you.
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Unfortunately, you will run into another issue. FCP does not add the proper pulldown cadence for an XDCAMHD 24p timeline and any motion footage is going to look strange on an SD timeline. I found this out the hard way on a recent project. The only way to get a good SD copy is going out through a Kona card to tape and letting it add the correct pulldown.
Regards,
ben
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Hmm, I didn’t know that, but then I have a Kona so when I’ve worked in 23.98 I guess I’ve taken what it does for granted.
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I have found this to be the case in general, myself.
It’s not only related to XDCAM HD, but I had this to happen with DVCProHD 720p23.98. My solution was to go through my Kona 3 card to the XDCAM HD deck (F70) and cross convert to 1080p24. The feature looked absolutely stunning when put to DVD and on the big screen (at full HD 1080p) at the local indie theater.
The reason this is a problem is because SD is not meant to be 24p. You’re combining two different formats into one, and this causes issues from time to time.
If I’m not mistaken… I thought I saw a post in the Sony CineAlta forum on this issue and the correct cadence for XDCAM HD. Do a search and see what you find.
By the way, I was told by a little bird that these issues will be fixed in the next version of the Sony Transfer software sometime in October.
_______________________________
Wayne Carey
Schazam Productions
http://www.schazamproductions.com
https://blogs.creativecow.net/waynecarey -
[Wayne Carey] “By the way, I was told by a little bird that these issues will be fixed in the next version of the Sony Transfer software sometime in October.”
Just in time for the XDCAM EX. Doesn’t sound like a coincidence, does it?
– Don
“Please take a moment to fill out your profile, including your computer system and relevant software.”
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In true Sony fashion…
I have never known Sony to release fixes and updates without an equipment release, with the exception of one… the XD HD update that brought back cache recording.
_______________________________
Wayne Carey
Schazam Productions
http://www.schazamproductions.com
https://blogs.creativecow.net/waynecarey
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