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HD timeline question
I recently took on a project that will require me to incorporate great amounts of HD footage shot at 1080i with the new JVC Everio HD7 into the same timeline as standard DV footage. I only need to deliver in SD, so I was thinking about converting the HD clips to SD prior to cutting, so that I can cut the full project, DV and HD clips, in an SD timeline.
Any thoughts on the best export settings using quicktime, to preserve the greatest picture quality on the HD footage during the conversion? Compressor will not accept Everio’s TOD files.
Thanks.
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2 Replies
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File > Export
Export drop dowm menu = movie to quicktime movie
Click the options button.
Click the Video settings button.
Compression drop down menu = DV/DVCPRO – NTSC
Quality slider = High
Scan mode = Interlaced
Aspect ratio = 16×9 (you don’t mention the nature of the DV footage – I’m it is assuming 16×9)
Edit in a DV timeline.
The other option would be to choose 8-bit or 10-bit uncompressed. This choice would oblige you to convert all of the DV material as well, and take up 7 to 9 times as much hard drive space. The quality would not improve your DV footage, but your graphics and effects would render a bit more nicely, and the HD footage would hold a little bit more quality, however the difference will be subtle.
If you go this way, edit in a time line that matchs the format you choose. I recommend doing the DV conversion before starting to edit, as the timeline renders will drive you crazy.
I also recommend doing a test to determine how long the conversions are likely to take, and a test to compare both types of footage in both types of time line, with and without effects and graphics. View these tests on a reference monitor or at least the same type of TV or screen you viewers will watch. If you are going all the way out to DVD for delivery, and that is what your viewers will see, do the mpeg 2 compresssion and burn a disk of each of these tests to see if you can tell the diference.
This sort of testing, factored in with the edit schedule and the hardware you can bring to bear, is the only way to know if the upconvert of the DV footage is worth it.
Most times, it is not.
Tom
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The HD7 records onto an internal hard drive. Your best luck is to open the files using MPEG Streamclip (https://www.squared5.com) and export as QuickTime DV NTSC.
Steve Eisen
Eisen Video Productions
Director-At-Large
Chicago Final Cut Pro Users Group
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