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HD video encoding for SD DVD
Our company produced a video in native DVCPRO HD. Post production was done in HD. We eventually need to create standard definition DVDs of the video. What is the best workflow to create compressed files that will retain the best quality for use in DVDSP?
Our current plan is to down convert to standard definition via our AJA card on the FCP edit system and create a D1 master tape (uncompressed SD). Then we will issue that D1 master to a business that has a hardware based encoder (Sonic SD 2000 or Spruce) to create m2v and ac3 files.
Any suggestions as to how our workflow should be altered to retain the highest quality as we downconvert a HD video for use on a SD DVD?
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2 Replies
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This workflow sounds fine. My only recommendations are that you make sure to make an anamorphic D1 and that if your material is 23.98 to use standard 3:2, not Advanced because a lot of hardware encoders do not support it.
Josh
http://www.indiemaster.org -
bantonj, Our footage is anamorphic 16×9 NTSC on the D1 tape.
We followed through with our workflow described above and have encountered an odd issue. It seems that our software-based encodes (Apple Compressor) have more detail than the final encodes received from the hardware-based encoder–the hardware encodes appear softer with some slight distortion in areas.
I thought the hardware based encodes should have better quality. Any ideas why our m2v files created in Compressor have more detail than those files created via the hardware encoder? I spoke with the engineer at the post production facility and he stated that their Spruce hardware encoder should create top of the line results.
We used the preset ‘best quality 90 min DVD’ in Compressor.
Thanks
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