-
MPEG Streamclip? 16:9? Deinterlacing?
So I’ve got some DVDs and I’m using MPEG streamclip to extract workable files to edit in FCP. A number of questions have arose. These are not movies shot in 24p so I’m exporting clips using the default frame size, which for most 16×9 DVDs that is 854×480. Is 854×480 better with Streamclips 2D-FIR scaler or should 720×480 (unscaled) be used then in FCP simply check the anamorphic column? Which will yield better results?
Along with the above is an interlacing question. I prefer to work with Progressive footage but most of these DVDs are sports related and have noticeable interlacing. If I export to ProRes and use the Deinterlace option I get pretty good looking clips, however in FCP as I step through the clip frame by frame I notice its smooth with no interlacing but every 4th frame is a duplicate. Is this correct? Note, footage clips come in to FCP as 29.97.
What would be the best settings to use for export to ProRes and a 16×9 sequence in FCP. Note, I have set up a custom sequence in FCP using ProRes and 854×480 with Field Dominance set to none and in the advanced tab, ProRes Interlacing is unchecked. Should I be using something else? 720×480 anamorphic?
OS 10.5.5, Mac Pro 2 x 3 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 9 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card
-
5 Replies
-
I should add, I’ve tested this quite a bit and with the ProRes 854×480, deinterlaced clips I get decent results. I’m just not sure if there correct results with the duplicate frames and the 2D scaler being used.
OS 10.5.5, Mac Pro 2 x 3 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 9 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card
-
Dave I’m unsure how you got the notion that DVD’s were 854×480 — every NTSC DVD on the planet is 720×480 whether it’s 4×3 or 16×9. I’m confident of that because that’s the only standard allowed for authored NTSC DVDs.
Thanks Dave. I know that DVDs are 720×480. I was just curious because when using Export to Quicktime function in Streamclip and selecting ProRes, 854×480 is the default.
Dave That frame sequence is typical of someone trying to use 23.98 footage in a 29.97 timeline. Where’d this stuff come from? You’re just going to have to live with it, I think. Go give the person who did that a dope slap.
Thats awesome. I thought this might be 24p or 23.98 DVDs, but it exports as 29.97. Should I try typing in a frame rate 23.98 in the frame box? These are actually professional sports DVDs. We’re creating an internal mood video to get our employees pumped up about a new project.
I’ve just tried exporting 720×480, deselecting interlaced scaling for progressive footage and brought into FCP. In brower it tells me its Lower (Even) field dominance, but stepping through the clip at an action sequence there’s no interlacing. It looks progressive. When I try a second one, keying in the frame rate I get interlaced spots in the footage. This is so confusing!
I think I’ll trying sticking with 720×480, either checking Deinterlace or unchecking all interlace options for progressive and simply changing the Field Dominance to None in FCP browser. End product with either be DVD or most likely a hiRes H.264 file for Keynote and projection.
Thx for your help Dave.
OS 10.5.5, Mac Pro 2 x 3 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 9 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card
-
sample:
OS 10.5.5, Mac Pro 2 x 3 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 9 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card
-
But look on the bright side — when you looked at these “professional” sports DVD’s before you ripped them, did they look all that bad to you?
I wish there was a way I could tell for sure what frame rate of the DVD is. As I step through with Apple DVD player the footage looks the same as when I use the Deinterlace function in Streamclip. I looks progressive.
I guess I’ll stick with the above settings and default frame rate of 29.97. It looks progressive and good in FCP even though the browser tells me it Lower (Even). I guess I can just trick it by changing the field dominance to None. Probably not to correct way to do this but it seems to work.
thanks for your help.
OS 10.5.5, Mac Pro 2 x 3 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 9 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card
-
Nice. And very true.
OS 10.5.5, Mac Pro 2 x 3 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 9 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up