DVCPro HD 720p50 or p25??

[Shane Ross]

The DVCPRO format is based on a TAPE format. That format is a 720p60 or 720p50 format. Meaning that it runs at 50fps or 60fps, depending on where you are shooting. Now, that is just the COMPRESSOR type, because that compressor can contain a few frame rates…especially with P2 tapeless recording.

If they shot 720p 25PN, then they recorded 25fps, using the DVCPRO HD 720p50 compressor. That just refers to the format type.

[Karim Daire] “if you are going for a dual use on progressive computer monitors and interlaced DVDs. Which format would you rather choose to record in to achieve maximum quality and workflow in FCP… 720p50 or 1080i50?! “

Well, DVDs can be progressive. Most are. Hollywood films…European films…shot 24fps, 25fps. They aren’t interlaced…and when put on a DVD, they STILL aren’t interlaced. They are progressive. So if you shoot progressive, you can make a progressive DVD…or interlaced and an interlaced DVD. If you want to shoot progressive, do. Know that it will work on DVDs just fine.

[Karim Daire] “We will record on XDCam HD.”

Pardon me? I thought we were talking about P2 here. That’s DVCPRO HD or, with some higher end cameras, AVCIntra. Panasonic P2 cameras don’t shoot XDCAM. Sony cameras do, and a couple JVC ones.

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
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[Karim Daire]

Hi Shane,

thanks for clearing up the DVCPro question!

“Well, DVDs can be progressive. Most are. Hollywood films…European films…shot 24fps, 25fps. They aren’t interlaced…and when put on a DVD, they STILL aren’t interlaced. They are progressive. So if you shoot progressive, you can make a progressive DVD…or interlaced and an interlaced DVD. If you want to shoot progressive, do. Know that it will work on DVDs just fine.”

I know you can put progressive material on DVDs… but we want to use the smoother motion of interlaced footage with 50 frames or fields per second. Thats why I habve been asking about 720p50 or 1080i50… which is better to achieve both interlaced with 50 fields and progressive with 25 frames best quality.
I am asking because 1080i to me is just 540 pixels height when carrying 2 fields. Therefore I was thinking using 720 pixels height AND 50 frames per second should be theoretically the better quality.
I always get mixed information on that subject.

“Pardon me? I thought we were talking about P2 here. That’s DVCPRO HD or, with some higher end cameras, AVCIntra. Panasonic P2 cameras don’t shoot XDCAM. Sony cameras do, and a couple JVC ones.”

Oh sorry for the mixup … the DVCPro question was about material I got from an external company. We are shooting on XDCam HD with a Sony camera of course. the 720p50/1080i50 question is rather a general one.

Karim

-Karim-
Freelance Cutter, Compositor and Animator from Hamburg/Germany

[Shane Ross]

Well, since DVDs don’t play at 60fps or 50fps, it would be wise to shoot 1080i50 if you want smooth.

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

[Bret Williams]

However, when you compress the 50p for to 25i, it should map each frame to an individual field. But still, shoot 1080i. It’s higher res unless you have a lot of motion.

[Miodrag Ristic]

Does the recommendation changes to 720p25 (vs 1080 i) if the
output was the web (YouTube, Vimeo or website)?

Mio