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Multiclip Nightmare Scenario – DV and HDV
So this is a fun project I just got dropped in my lap. A play was recently taped with three different cameras (XH A1, HV30, and Panasonic GS500). Clips were uploaded as 1080-60i HDV from the Canons, and anamorphic DV from the Panasonic. I was then handed all the clips and told, “edit please!” Are the tapes available? Of course not! Just the uploaded clips.
I want to be able to edit this together as a multiclip, and I obviously can’t mix DV and HDV for multiclip editing. After putting together the cut, I will send to Color for correction (the Panasonic footage looks much different in the color curve from the Canon, naturally, so I’m going to do my damndest to make it look close, even if it is a fool’s errand).
My thoughts on workflow – get all the clips in the same codec, edit as multiclip, then transform used clips to ProRes for sending to Color.
The question: what format to put it all in prior to multiclip editing? Should I upscale the DV footage to HDV? Or change everything to DVCPRO HD 720p? Or change everything to ProRes right off the bat? I tried changing some of the DV to ProRes through Compressor, and to be honest, it doesn’t look too great, which is why I’m wondering about the DVCPRO HD trick – less magnification. It does mean downscaling the HDV, but I can live with a little quality loss on the HDV if the DV will look a little better in that codec . . .
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3 Replies
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[Jason Scherer] “My thoughts on workflow – get all the clips in the same codec, edit as multiclip, then transform used clips to ProRes for sending to Color.”
You need everything in the same codec, but it isn’t necessary to then transcode AGAIN to ProRes to send to Color. Simply render FROM Color as ProRes for best quality compression.
DV upscaled looks fairly horrible however you do it, so I’d be tempted to downscale the HDV stuff to DV.
Or, if you want to keep maximum quality from the HDV stuff, downscale it to ProRes (SD) and convert the DV files to the same. It’s quickest to simply convert the HDV down to DV.All the best,
Alex Elkins -
Alex –
Thanks, I was thinking that downscaling the HDV would be the way I’d have to go, sadly.
Now, as for some of the ProRes setting when converting everything to the same codec:
1. Converting the HDV to ProRes SD – Using 720 x 480 as the size, what’s the proper pixel ratio to use, since the HDV is anamorphic? Options are such things as Default for Size, Square, NTSC / DV 601, NTSC / DV 601 (16:9), etc. Same question for converting the anamorphic DV to ProRes. When looking at the clips in Final Cut, only the DV clips have a check in the Anamorphic field, whereas the HDV does not (I assume this is normal).
2. Interlacing: the HDV is upper dominance, the DV is lower dominance. Should I use ProRes for Progressive as the setting for all? Or use ProRes for Interlaced and change the DV to upper dominance, and use ProRes for Interlaced on the HDV and keep the upper dominance?
Can’t you tell I am SO happy to be doing all this? And thanks to any and all for all help in advance.
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Hi Jason,
Using Compressor to do the conversions will ensure that they all come out looking the same.
Apply the following setting to the HDV files to convert to SD DV:
-Open the Apple drop down in the Settings window
-Other Workflows
-Advanced Format Conversions
-Standard Definition
-DV NTSC AnamorphicIf you want everything as ProRes then you’ll have to create a custom setting, as there isn’t one pre-programmed from Apple, surprisingly.
I believe settings for NTSC would be 720×480, aspect NTSC CCIR 601/DV 16:9
Field dominance should be Upper.
Apply these settings to both the DV and HDV clips and they should all come out the same shape.I’d do a test on a ten second portion of the clip to be sure though.
All the best,
Alex Elkins
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