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mastering 720p23.98
First time working with DVCProHD, and although I’ve scoured the previous threads, I still haven’t worked out a comprehensive workflow. Here’s where I am:
shot Varicam at DVCProHD 720p23.98 (Vast majority)
2 rogue tapes at DVCProHD 1080p29.97
an extra interview at HDCAM 1080p23.98
archive at PAL + NTSC
One pickup shot at DVCProHD 720p25 (from a P2 camera)Delivering to US client, ultimately in 1080i59.94, but European client is reversioning (extending) our cut for a 1080i50 delivery.
By far the majority of the material is 720p23.98. So, captured native through firewire, and have offlined in a 720p23.98 DVCProHD timeline.
So far all good (and my aren’t those file sizes small). About to enter the online stage, and from what I understand there’s no need to recapture the material. Delightful.
The question is what timeline I should be mastering from. I’m stripping off all the rough colour correction, but there will be effects that need to be rendered. If I stay in a DVCProHD timeline, is there a quality loss whenever I render? Should I copy the clips into an uncompressed timeline?
We’ll be outputting to tape for a tape-tape colour correction session. Is there any difference between doing the upconversion from 720-1080 on the output (through multibridge in this case) or is there anything to be gained from mastering in a 1080 timeline and rendering.
The plan is to colour correct and mix at 23.98 to create a master that both the US+Europeans can then convert. The 25fps material is all without sync, so I’m considering just slowing down the frame rate to 24. The Europeans will ultimately speed back up to 25, and for the US there will be a 4% speed change, but with no sync that should be OK. The main question here is what is going to happen to the 1080p29.97 material. I’m going to Natress it to 23.98 for the colour correct, and it will then get converted to 1080i59.94. Does anyone know how this will hold up? There is sync on this material, so that is more a concern. I’m considering mastering a separate timeline at 1080i59.94 and dropping this sequence into the final converted master.
Finally, we’re working 23.98 all the way to the final conversion to 59.94, at which point the world turns drop frame for delivery. Can I expect any fun with the timecodes?
Thanks in advance for any input,
Rob
Rob Tinworth
http://www.1021.tv -
4 Replies
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[Rob Tinworth] “Is there any difference between doing the upconversion from 720-1080 on the output (through multibridge in this case) or is there anything to be gained from mastering in a 1080 timeline and rendering.”
If you’re talking about a Black Magic Multibridge product, I don’t think that they do a 720-1080 cross-conversion. You need a minimum of an AJA Io HD or Kona 3 for that. The post house that’s doing your tape to tape CC probably has a Terranex or Alchemist to do this conversion (and someone who knows to twirl the knobs to make your video look it’s best). If so, it’s probably worth it to let them do it.
[Rob Tinworth] “If I stay in a DVCProHD timeline, is there a quality loss whenever I render? Should I copy the clips into an uncompressed timeline?”
DVCPro HD is a slightly lossy codec. If you’re delivering to the post house on DVCPro HD, you’ll gain nothing by rendering in an uncompressed timeline, as it will be compressed again while going to tape. If you render in a DVCPro HD timeline, and then go to tape via firewire, you’ll see no additional loss in quality from what you rendered.
Regarding the various framerates of your materials & deliverables, talk to the post house doing your color correction. If they have a Terranex or Alchemist, all of these conversions will happen in real time, at the best possible quality.
Arnie
Now in post: Peristroika, a film by Slava Tsukerman
https://www.arniepix.com/blog -
The Decklink card will do 720 to 1080i…but not to 1080psf. For that you need a Kona 3.
Shane
Littlefrog PostGETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD now for sale!
http://www.lfhd.net -
[Shane Ross] “The Decklink card will do 720 to 1080i…but not to 1080psf. For that you need a Kona 3.”
That’s good to know. Thanks for the correction!
Arnie
Now in post: Peristroika, a film by Slava Tsukerman
https://www.arniepix.com/blog -
Thanks for the replies.
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