Output from FCP for projection

[Don Greening]

[dorit grunberger] “are there any special requirements I need to ask the venue AV dept to make sure they have in order to use my Macbook (2GHz core duo) as the source? “

No, not really. You can connect your Macbook to the projector using the DVI port and the projector effectively becomes a second display that you can access from your Macbook. Just make note of the video connector to the projector, so you may need a DVI to VGA video cable. Also make sure you know what the audio connections need to be at the projector end. Your Macbook has a stereo miniplug on the left side so just find out if the projector will also be used for audio or if it will be a separate sound person. The answer to that question will determine what your audio connections need to be.

– Don

[Dorit Grunberger]

Thanks Don

Do you think there could be a problem projecting the uncompressed quicktime movie? Should I do a H.264 conversion or a photo jpg to get the size down? Do you know if I need to resize the the projector specs?
Bottom line, I’d like to project something better than an authored playable DVD if possible and not too problematic for us or the venue (in Portland, Oregon and we’re in San Francisco so communication is a bit dicey).
Anyway, many thanks for your insight

Dorit

[Kris A. wotipka]

Well, first thing, contact the Hotel/Venue A/V dept and find out EXACTLY what they will have. Now most projectors are native 1024×768 which is a 4:3 format. Depending on what your timeline format is, it might be better to just playback the video via quicktime. Also, don’t let your audio suffer. Make sure that the A/V dept has the proper interface hardware so your project sounds as good as it looks.

kw

kris@wotipka.com
Image maker

[Don Greening]

[dorit grunberger] “Do you think there could be a problem projecting the uncompressed quicktime movie?”

I’ve done it both ways with my Macbook Pro. I’ve played a sequence directly from the FCP timeline using the desktop cinema preview function with the projector as the second monitor. I’ve also played a stand-alone QT movie. In QT Player you can choose: View>Present Movie and use the projector again as the second monitor.

[dorit grunberger] “Should I do a H.264 conversion or a photo jpg to get the size down?”

An H.264 version is what I use and that’s a good idea if you’re playing a self-contained movie using QT Player. Check on the type of projector you’re going to be using. These days a lot of the new ones provide the option to display 720p, so if your movie is high def anyway you can make a 720p version using H.264 and it’ll look great. Your Macbook may not be able to play out smoothly to a second monitor with a less compressed codec than H.264 so this is probably the way you should go. Try doing some tests first, because you don’t want to start dropping frames during showtime. That would be rather……embarrassing.

– Don

[Dorit Grunberger]

Thanks Kris

So if I’m making a quicktime movie to play on native 1024 x 768 with a 4:3 format, what settings would I need going out of FCP and doing an H.264 conversion (in FCP – Export – using QT conversion – QT movie options – what should the video settings be and what size makes the most sense? Do I check deinterlace source video? Do I preserve aspect ratio by fitting within dimensions? And do I do a custom export size dimensions of 1024 x 768 (if the projector is set up that way?). I’m still a little dense about all the different settings. I will try my best to get the info directly form the venue A/V, but just in case, I’ll have a playable DVD as well. My Macbook, unfortunately, only has 30GB HD and 2GB RAM. I don’t have room to install FCP on it, so playing it through FCP isn’t an option.

Many thanks in advance,

Dorit

[Dorit Grunberger]

Thanks a bunch Don. Appreciate your help.

[Kris A. wotipka]

Although I know quite a few people who “playout” via FCP, I think it is too much overhead for a live production situation. You didn’t mention what your timeline format is. If you did this as say a DV project, then the timeline is 780×486. No need to upscale the video when QT is going to do it for you. If you have a ProRes or other resolution greater then 1024×768 then you should downscale it to at least that. Deinterlace the video because the playout via VGA will be progressive. On that random note, don’t forget the DVI to VGA adapter for your MB/MBP. SO, to answer your questions (and others, please feel free to weigh in on this):

1) Just export “Quicktime>Current Setings” (Why downgrade if you don’t have to)

2) I understand that there was some issues with the deinterlace being broken (any other comments?)

3) If you shot 4:3, then it should be fine since 1024×768 is 4:3 aspect ratio.

4) Again if your project resolution is greater then 1024×768 yes, if not, no.

5) ALWAYS have a least common denominator backup. IF all else fails then you have something that you know will work. Also, test, test, test!

let us know how it works out.

kw

kris@wotipka.com
Image maker

[Dorit Grunberger]

Hi kris

I don’t have answers to all your questions right now, but will tomorrow. I’m not aware of any broken deinterlacing issue.
The project isn’t video, it’s still photos with effects, transitions and 2 music soundtracks, Since I shoot video at 24p (panasonic DVX100), I think the timeline opened that way (23.98fps),
Thank again and good night

[Dorit Grunberger]

The Rest of the story:

1. All photos, lots of transitions and motion, some titles
2. frame size is 720 x 480
3. 23.98 fps
4. DV/DVCPro – NTSC compressor
5. NTSC-CCIR 601

I hope that’s all the information there is to convey. So I’m still trying to figure out how to size the H.264 movie to best suit projection.

All the best,
Dorit

[Don Greening]

[dorit grunberger] ” So I’m still trying to figure out how to size the H.264 movie to best suit projection. “

You don’t have to. Your project is already at the the proper standard def. aspect of 720×480 so just export using current settings. Export using Quicktime Conversion with H.264 as the compressor. Just make sure the projector is set to display full screen and not widescreen.

– Don