MPEG Streamclip and a DSLR Workflow?

[Jonathan Ziegler]

Hi there,

Came across this video: https://www.absolutepresence.com/2009/12/dslr-workflow1/

Is anyone already using MPEG Streamclip (freeware: https://www.squared5.com/) and, if so, what are the pitfalls? I used it to convert 5D footage to ProRes 422 and it looks great, but I’m not sure about the overall quality.

I’d love to hear feedback!

Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293

[Nels Chick]

I use Compressor to transcode my 7D footage. I’ve been very impressed with the quality, and ProRes is an excellent codec to use. I use Mpeg Streamclip all of the time, but usually when I need to have more control over the quality, I use Compressor, that is, if Compressor can see the footage, because sometimes it can’t, depending on the codec.

inconveniencethemovie.com

[Jonathan Ziegler]

Thanks for getting back! You know, I’ve only ever used Compressor for compressing and the 5D/7D footage already seems pretty compressed. Do you mind saying what settings you are using? Also, do you use any FCP custom presets or just the ProRes files in an existing preset?

Thanks for the feedback!

BTW: saw your trailer for inconvenience. Looks like fun!

Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293

[Lucy Moon]

I could use some tips for Compressor settings too, if anyone can share.

Thanks.

MBP 2.2 GHz intel core duo
2GB ram
GeForce 8600M GT
10.4.11 + FCP 6.04

[Jonathan Ziegler]

okay, so I’m playing with Compressor now:

In Compressor, I add my first file (actually a wide, est shot from the 5D), then, under Settings, go to Apple > Other Workflows > Advanced Format Conversions > Apple Codecs > Apple ProRes 422 for Progressive material (High Quality). Drag this to your open file above in Compressor.

There’s another setting for interlaced versus progressive, but we shot the footage at 30P so I’ll use that.

Now, make some custom changes:

Make sure you have your codec with your file selected.

Go to the Inspector, look at the Summary – all is well for me by default except the frame rate is at 30fps and I’ll be editing this as 29.97. Click the Encoder button, click on Settings by Video, change the frame rate to whatever you want (29.97 in my case). By default, this area has “Enable 4:4:4 chroma filtering” checked. I’m leaving it. Anyone know if this is particularly detrimental to the final product? click Ok.

That’s it for me, but I also saved this as “Convert 5D to ProRes 422 HQ.”

MPEG Streamclip will batch an entire folder, but it doesn’t want to change the frame rate so there are +&-.

Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293

[Nels Chick]

Sorry it took me so long to get back on this one. With my 7D, I just copy the .mov files from the card to my hard drive, then open them all using Compressor. With all of the clips selected I right-click one of them and select: New Target with Setting> Apple> Formats> Quicktime> Apple ProRes 422.

I usually change the output to a new folder and leave all of the other settings as they are, then submit the batch.

Now, that is with 1080 24p footage from the 7D. I haven’t done anything with the 5DII, but I believe you will just need to adjust the frame rate in Compressor from 30p to 29.97p. This is done in the Inspector pane, under the Encoder tab. Where it says video, click the settings button. A window with a bunch of options will pop on the screen. The only thing you will need to change is the frame rate from current to 29.97. Click OK and remember to copy these settings to each item in your batch, then submit.

In theory you can convert to 24p through this same process (choose custom and type 23.976 in the box), but you’ll want to spend some time in the Frame Controls tab within the Inspector. Turn the controls on by clicking the little cog button and selecting On from the drop down menu. Skip the Resizing controls, and go to the Retiming controls. First change the Rate Conversion to Better (not Best, it takes too long, and the quality improvement from ‘Better’ is minimal). Now you have a few options, you can leave the timing the same by selecting the top option, 100%, or you can slow down your footage by selecting the last options, which plays the 30 frames back at 23.976 frames a second. The top option will take longer to transcode, but will allow you to keep the speed at 100%.

Once again, I haven’t worked with 5DII footage, so this is only a theory. Try it and let me know how it works out.

As far as editing, if you are using Final Cut 6 or later, you can just import one of these clips into the browser and drag it straight to the time line. Final Cut will ask if you want the sequence settings to match the clip settings. Click yes, and away you go.

Good luck! And Johnathan, thanks for watching my trailer!

inconveniencethemovie.com

[Nels Chick]

I was actually writing my post while you were posting yours, so I probably reiterated what you’ve already posted. Compressor is an awesome tool!

inconveniencethemovie.com

[Nels Chick]

The only reason I don’t usually use ProRes HQ is to keep my files smaller. By transcoding to HQ, you will likely have more information to play with while doing FX or Color work, but remember that this information is intelligently created by the software, not native in from the camera. By the time the camera compresses the footage to H.264, it has baked in the look, and has thrown away any information it deemed useless.

inconveniencethemovie.com

[Jonathan Ziegler]

I’m thinking the 7D and 5D footage are pretty much the same in terms of overall quality, MPEG4 (I think), and h.264. I know the 5D has a bigger sensor than the 7D and doesn’t have a magnification factor, but since the final comes to a relatively small 1080×1980, I’m pretty sure it’s a nominal difference.

I’m setting up a project where my people will have a 5D and a 7D (as well as another camera) for the production so I’ll be able to check the differences. Now I’ll need to figure out how to sync 2 canons together. Shouldn’t be too bad, but there’s no timecode on these, I don’t think.

Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293

[Andrew Clark]

Just an FYI regarding the 5D MKII 30p setting ….

…. it is truly 30p; not 29.97 as some have assumed.