I need help in London, my brain is confused and i need info…please

[Andrew Yoole]

First thing to consider is that all terrestrial TV in the UK is widescreen, which means your 4:3 measurements are probably incorrect. Plus, your use of DV compression is not a good idea if your work is to be broadcast. But to break down your questions:

Will it be correct to create graphics in Photoshop 768 x 576 square pix

In 4:3, yes. In 16:9, use 1024×576 sq pix. If you are using Photoshop CS or CS2, you can choose to work with non sq pix at 720×576 in either 4:3 or 16:9. Personally, I prefer to work with sq pix stills anyway.

Import into After Effects (settings PAL D1/DV 768×576 Square pix)

Yes, whatever format you’ve used, just be sure AE interprets the footage at that same specification. Use compositions in AE that reflect your output. Use the PAL D1/DV presets that match your output requirements.

Do my magic

Of course.

Export as quicktime using DV-PAL compression, Field Render :Lower field, 768×576

A big mistake here. PAL DV is STRICTLY 720×576 non sq pix, whether 16:9 or 4:3. It’s at this point you must stop using square pixels.
Personally, I’d avoid compression at this stage, and export uncompressed, not DV.

Import into Final Cut (768×576 CCIR 601 PAL Square pixels 4:3) to sync with sound track

Import into FCP at your output resolution, which will either be 720×576 DV (4:3) or 720×576 DV (16:9). If you’re following my advice and using an uncompressed codec, make sure the sequence in FCP uses that same codec.

Export using quicktime conversion DV PAL 720×576

Export an uncompressed Quicktime to maintain the best quality. Animation codec at 100% quality is also lossless.

[Jamesworsley]

Thanks for the help. Greatly appreciated.
So…

Photoshop:
16:9 1024×576

After Effects:
768×576 square pix composition or
720 x576 widescreen?
You said when I export from After Effects I shoud stop using Square pix?
768×576 appears to be the default export setting if i use 768×576 as my comp setting(unless i stretch)….
So i take it i should use 720×576 comp setting which would enable me to render out as 720×576 uncompressed

FCP:
If i need to export as 720 x 576 16:9 Uncompressed what should my project settings be? Should they be 720×576 PAL 4:3, that seems to be my only relevant option, or should i click the 16:9 anamorphic button?

Sorry it’s long winded…
Many thanks again!

[Michael Szalapski]

Wouldn’t it be better to render to the Quicktime Animation codec at 100% quality? For all practical purposes it’s lossless and the file sizes will be a lot smaller.

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[Walter Biscardi]

[Michael Szalapski] ”
Wouldn’t it be better to render to the Quicktime Animation codec at 100% quality? For all practical purposes it’s lossless and the file sizes will be a lot smaller.”

No, that would create much larger files than using the DV PAL codec.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com

Director, “The Rough Cut”
https://www.theroughcutmovie.com

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[Andrew Yoole]

[jamesworsley] “After Effects:
768×576 square pix composition or
720 x576 widescreen?
You said when I export from After Effects I shoud stop using Square pix?
768×576 appears to be the default export setting if i use 768×576 as my comp setting(unless i stretch)….
So i take it i should use 720×576 comp setting which would enable me to render out as 720×576 uncompressed”

I’d forget sq pix once you reach AE. Use the PAL D1/DV presets to create your comps, either 4:3 or 16:9. Like I said, if your client is broadcasting on terrestrial UK TV you should be working in 16:9.

Clarify what you need to provide as your final output. If a Quicktime is fine, use a lossless format like Animation 100%, as mentioned above. Avoid DV compression at all costs – it is not an acceptable format for broadcast.

Determine what field order is required as well – only the output facility will be able to tell you this. (Generally, DV is always LFF, most broadcast PAL devices use UFF, but you need to check before your final render).

[Jamesworsley]

I’ve been told that my final output should be uncompressed quicktime and then ‘they’ will transfer it to beta tape.
Thanks for the info, you’ve been a great help.
Is there anything else i need to consider?
Thanks for everything.
james