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Need fool-proof HDV to SD-DVD workflow!
I’ve spent a couple hours looking at other threads and reading manuals and I can’t seem to figure out the best way to export my native HDV sequence to Compressor for output to an SD-DVD using DVDSP without having a final product that’s low-res and ultra-compressed.
My questions are:
Do I need to change any settings in my original
If I need to copy my HDV sequence into an SD seq, what sequence settings do I use for the SD (under the General tab), including whether it needs to be set to Anamorphic 16:9?
If I need to uncompress my HDV media before sending it to Compressor, to what format do I uncompress it, and how do I go about doing this?
Once in Compressor, do I need to change any settings to achieve the highest quality MPEG-2 file that will fit on a SD DVD?**
** I have two HDV projects that need to be delivered on SD DVD: One that is 83 minutes and another that’s 26 1/2 minutes. Both include a mix of 23.98 and 29.97 frame rates, but the primary camera is 23.98 footage (Canon XH-G1).
Thanks!
Cathy Runge
Editor, Mary Productions -
12 Replies
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I’d just export an 8 bit uncompressed SD -pal or ntsc- QT and run that through compressor set to dvd 90mins high quality.
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Hi Arnoud,
Thanks for the feedback. So you are suggesting that I use export Quicktime Movie as 8-bit uncompressed, then export that file into Compressor? Should I delete my HDV render files first?
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Catherine,
I’ve been watching your threads on this subject and not wanting to step on the toes of anyone already responding to your questions, but the time has come for me to step in.
You’re doing an extra step that simply is unnecesary and potentially degrading you video as well. There is absolutely no reason for your to export a SD version of your HDV timeline before encoding to SD DVD in Compressor. The proper way to do this is to export a reference file or self contained HD QT using “current settings” and then import that into Compressor.
In compressor you choose the best preset and make certain to set aspect ratio at 16×9 in the encoder tab of the Inspector, and that will make a SD DVD that that playus 16×9 on widescreen TVs and letterboxed on 4×3 TVs.
Hope ths helps…
David
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los AngelesPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, and Indie Film & Documentary forums.
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Thanks, David! One last (I hope) question…in terms of keeping the current settings, do I need to change the sequence setting to an uncompressed format (i.e. 8 or 10-bit) before exporting a QT, or is it good to go as native HDV?
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If your timeline is already rendered just go with current settings.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los AngelesPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, and Indie Film & Documentary forums.
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Perhaps I’m being unrealistic on the quality I can expect to get from downconverting to SD, but…I did exactly as you said and I’m still noticing a lot of digital artifacts in the picture, particularly around my supers. I’m wondering if I should boost my bit rate settings even more. Right now, in Compressor, I’ve set the average bit rate to 7.7 and the max bit rate is 9.0. I’m using “DVD: Best Quality 90 minutes.” I noticed that the Pixel Aspect Ratio is still listed as “HDV 1080i (16:9)” for the QT movie I imported. How can this be, since I exported the sequence as 8-bit uncompressed?
Thanks again,
Cathy
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Catherine,
David’s advice is correct, but check one thing before you follow it. It seems to me (David LOVES the “seems” word) he left out telling you the following:
Open your Sequence settings on your timeline and change the compressor to 8bit or ProRes. Render the sequence. Then export per David’s directions. This makes a difference between exporting from your timeline as some different kind of QT file.
Have a wonderful day.
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I think that did it! Looks much, much better. Thank you Chris (and David)!!!
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[Chris Poisson] “Open your Sequence settings on your timeline and change the compressor to 8bit or ProRes. Render the sequence. Then export per David’s directions. This makes a difference between exporting from your timeline as some different kind of QT file.”
By George, it seems Chris has beaten me to the punch. That was my next message to Cathy. Cathy, I was trying to save you a rerender…
David
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los AngelesPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, and Indie Film & Documentary forums.
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Out of interest I’m getting ready to export a short film shot on DVCPro HD to Compressor for SD conversion. Is it worth rendering the sequence as 8-bit or ProRes first aswell for optimum quality?
Jonny
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