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How to get better quality stills from video?
I am using FCP 6, and have followed the manual directions for exporting a still image using File/Export/Using QT Conversion, and have saved it as a .tiff file. I know it only exports it in 72dpi.
Then I go to Photoshop CS2, and resize the image to 300 dpi, but the quality does not look as high as the video. I shoot with a Sony F900, and have tried both compressed (DVCPRO HD) and uncompressed, but see no difference in the still image’s quality. I use a Sony deck to capture thru an AJA card to FCP. Please advise, thanks.
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12 Replies
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If you are converting your picture in PHS from 72 to 300 dpi, you are blowing-up your image more than 4 folds. From each of the original pixelx Photoshop is generating more than 16 new pixels. You can never get a picture of quality with such a process. To get something printable, If you increase the dpi, you must reduce proportionally the size of the picture. So you will end-up with a very small picture (like two inches) with 300dpi. This is the most you can get from a frame of a movie. We start with very little definition, and Photoshop can not make miracles.
You can resize a little bit without much loose of quality and there are some plugins that helps too (ie, Resizer), but not for such big resizing.
Rafael -
If you need to print up the video, here is a technique. This assumes NTSC, DV video. If you understand pixel aspect ratio and know the resolution of your format, you can tweak these instructions to fit.
Also important to note: DPI is irrelevant to video, primarily because monitor size is not standard. DPI is completely relevant to print because work is produced to fit a certain size of paper.
Paper is to print as monitor is to video.
Anyway, here is the way to get this done with DV:
PART ONE
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Thank you both very much. I will try it tomorrow and post results.
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One of the re-sizers available is PhotoZoomPro, which I have been using for several years, it can blow up these things more than 8 times without any problems.
Have a wonderful day.
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You forgot to say that is FREE. I’ve just download it. Thanks Chris.
Rafael -
I think that’s a demo version. It costs $150.
All the best,
Tom
Class on Demand DVDs “Complete Training for FCP6,” “Basic Training for FCS2” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy”
Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 3.5 HD Editing Workshop” -
You’re right Tom. To good to be true. However, if is so good for re-sizing, is not a big spending. I’ll try the demo.
Rafael -
Yeah, it’s not free, but it’s worth every penny. Mine has paid for itself many times over.
Have a wonderful day.
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I tried the demo version of PhotoZoom Pro, but the results looked identical to the Photoshop uprez. I’ll try the longer instructions now. Thanks.
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Hi Chris, have you noticed that Ben Vista just released PhotoZoom Pro 2 on October 8th.?
It looks like a $49.00 upgrade but if you look at the trial download it says it will upgrade older versions automatically.
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