Encoding & Downscaling in Compressor for DVD

[Rafael Amador]

[Sascha Engel] “3.) Export HD film from FCP, importing it again into FCP and exporting it from out a PAL SD Timeline and then encoding the SD Film in Compressor.”
No, avoid the downscaling with FC.

[Sascha Engel] “1.) Export as HD from FCP and then doing the downscaling in compressor in the same run than encoding it to MPEG2.

2.) Same as one, but doing Downsizing, Encoding to MPEG 2 in 2 different steps in Compressor.”
It won’t be much no difference, but always make the downscaling with the “Frame Control ON” and best for the filter.

[Sascha Engel] “4.) Downscaling in After Effects, and then encoding SD result from AE in Compressor to MPEG2.”
I remember making some tests in AE, and was not much satisfied, but I may have missed something because I have no much experience with AE.
Why don’t you make a short test downscaling the same clip with FC, AE, Compressor and MOTION (Lanczos)?
Then use the one you think is better for the downscaling and make the MPEG-2 with Compressor?
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Sascha Engel]

Hi Rafael,

I made following test, very short, since I am under deadline pressure before leaving for shooting to the States:

1.) with MPEG Streamclip since some said it’s very good. It is very fast, and in terms of Moire and aliasing it does the BEST job, but makes the footage a lot darker and shifts colors too much.

2.) Direct in Compressor with Frame Controls seems to be best, but in terms of Moire and aliasing less good than Streamclip. Only if you switch anti-aliasing on, but then it takes till the dawn of time, and it’s not working when you have long footage and little time.

3.) I mentioned a special script somebody wrote and posted it on COW (see above this post)…I still have to try that one.

One more things is sure: I had some sharpening done in my DSLR footage since it was shot flat, this I had to remove, since it made a big difference later in the SD version of the footage.

Sascha

[Rafael Amador]

Never used, but I wouldn’t hesitate to give it a try.
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Miriam Lefkowitz]

[Rafael Amador] “[Sascha Engel] ” But I assume the learning curve of Shake is rather steep. ”
Not for such simple task. Is just like applying a filter and setting the size you want.”

I finally found a copy of Shake and have quickly browsed the manuals, online tutorials, etc. Is there a specific section of Shake I should focus on in order to teach myself how to compress our footage for DVD?