Converting 1920×1080 25p Prores LT to NTSC SD

[Paul Nevison]

Hi John

yeah the prores issues might have been an issue that I was having with my particular set up.

I’ve moved on in software versions since those issues so hopefully all is resolved now.

thanks

Macpro Dual core 3Ghz
8GB RAM
OS 10.6.4
QT 7.6.6
FCP 7.0.3
AE CS4
BMD Decklink HD Extreme 6.6
PAL Land

[Paul Nevison]

further to this discussion, I’ve tried doing the standards conversion in compressor and while the picture is clean the graphics are distorting and tearing after the conversion.

I tried the settings suggested by John and then did a second encode using all the “best” settings but am still getting the distortion on the graphics.

can anyone suggest settings that eliminate the distortion on the text?

thanks

Macpro Dual core 3Ghz
8GB RAM
OS 10.6.4
QT 7.6.6
FCP 7.0.3
AE CS4
BMD Decklink HD Extreme 6.6
PAL Land

[John Pale]

Try using “Better” or even “Good” instead of “Best”, for the Rate conversion or the Resize.

The Optical Flow algorithm, while creating very nice motion, when used on the Highest Quality settings can distort graphics, unfortunately. Best is not always the best choice.

Also be sure you are keeping everything progressive (set it to Progressive in Output Fields).

You can also use Cinema Tools to conform from 25fps to 23.98, then make an NTSC MPEG-2 with that. All NTSC DVD players play 24p discs and can add pulldown on the fly, for non-progressive displays.

Conforming with Cinema Tools will result in a small speed change and you may have to pitch correct your audio. The result should be visually very clean, though.

The best way to do a standards conversion is a hardware converter, unfortunately.

[Paul Nevison]

thanks John

using the “good” settings seemed to do the trick.

In future for productions that will be shown in both PAL and NTSC lands is it better to just shoot in 24p for ultimate compatibility?

Macpro Dual core 3Ghz
8GB RAM
OS 10.6.4
QT 7.6.6
FCP 7.0.3
AE CS4
BMD Decklink HD Extreme 6.6
PAL Land

[John Pale]

[paul nevison] “In future for productions that will be shown in both PAL and NTSC lands is it better to just shoot in 24p for ultimate compatibility?”

Yes.