Motion Graphics Compression

[David Roth weiss]

No need to create a DVD video, just send them a full-res QT file on a DVD if it fits and make certain to label it appropriately.

DRW

[Alexander Gao]

So by that do you mean something like an H.264 QT? Or Animation QT? With the animation quicktime, I’m just a little worried that the file may not play back smoothly for them.

Alexander Gao

“When the revolution happens, I’ll be leading it.”

[Bret Williams]

With either they’d probably be best off transferring the file to their hard drive. I wouldn’t be sending out demo reels as quicktimes. It should be a DVD as you mentioned earlier. The quality should look great. Just export it from compressor with a high quality setting, then author it in the program of your choice. Most likely DVD SP of you have it and know how to use it.

I’m not sure why you’re worrying about the quality of your motion graphics when transferred to mpeg2 for a DVD. Did Lord of the Rings or Star Wars III not look good enough for you? If anything, standard motion graphics (logos and animation) should be easier to compress than actual video images anyway.

Why is your format such a bizarre size, 864×480 square? DVDs are 720×480 non-square and are either normal 4:3 or anamorphic. Is 864 some anamorphic thing I’m not aware of? I don’t do anamorphic or letterbox stuff.

[David Roth weiss]

You’ve got the general idea. Belive me, USC has the proper gear and software to see your sample reel. Send them a high quality QT encoded using H264 and they’ll have no trouble with it. Just be sure to read their requirements and make certain that whatever you send falls within their guidelines.

DRW

[Alexander Gao]

heh heh…
well, way down the page there’s a post about getting the proper square pixel dimensions to properly fit an anamorphic dv composition, which is what I am usually making motion graphics for… Chris Poisson said that an 864×540 square pixel comp would match a dv composition with anamorphic pixels, I thought it would be 864×480. So, that’s why I make 864×480 comps. Not sure if I’m doing it all wrong, I certainly hope not!

Thanks for the input,
Alexander Gao

Alexander Gao

“When the revolution happens, I’ll be leading it.”

[Chris Poisson]

Bret,

FYI 864×480 is EXACTLY the square pixel size for a graphic in a DV anamorphic sequence. This and everything else can be set this way in DVDSP and play full-screen 16×9 on a widescreen monitor.

[Peter Dewit]

I’m failing ot see what the real plus of making a H264 file would be. The quality for a well-done mpeg2 is going to be quite good. Giving the school something they can look at is the most important thing. I wouldn’t assume the person looking at his reel will be technicial and know what to do with a H264 file. Giving them a standard video DVD covers all your bases. They can pop it in a DvD player or a computer and play it without any trouble. If you have some experience with DVD SP you can even make some nice menus and graphics to present your work professionally.

I’d doublecheck thier requirements and follow those to a T. With the number of applications a place like USC gets if your submission is going to take them an extra ten minutes to figure out they’re probably not even going to bother. Do things are simply as possible. Whatever format you use be sure to label all them clearly on the box and discs.

[Alexander Gao]

Hey Chris,
Any explicit details on how I would go about getting my 864×480 QT onto DVD in DVDSP without messing up proportions, etc.? Can a DVD do square pixels? Will I have to convert my 864×480 to 720×480 or something gruesome like that?

Thanks,
Alexander Gao

Alexander Gao

“When the revolution happens, I’ll be leading it.”

[Chris Poisson]

Alexander,

Actually, what you should use for your menu would be 864×540 square pixels. Just use it like any menu item and set your project to 16×9 SD NTSC. You’ll have to select 16×9 in the simulator too. But you’ll end up with a widescreen DVD.