Sequence with XDCAM HD 422 and DVCAM.. the right setting?

[Rafael Amador]

Hi Alesio,
You may try setting “Render in High Precision” and “Render Motion EFfects: BEST”.
And set Prores as your sequence codec.
Cheers,
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Alessio Gemma]

Thanks Rafael,
I tried… but the same poor quality…
When I edit XDCAM clips, I use an XDCAM sequence: when my job is completed, I copy/paste the sequence in another one (Apple ProRes SD 720×576) and then I export all using QuickTime -> Current Settings… I use that exported clip to make SD-DVD and the quality is excellent!!
Now I’ve to mix XDCAM an DVCAM clips, so I’ve to use a SD sequence in ProRes… the issue is that even HD clips in that SD sequence appears in very poor quality.
I was thinking to recompress all the clips in ProRes 720×576 before to put them in the SD ProRes sequence… is a stupid idea or it can have a bit of sense??

Alessio

[Rafael Amador]

Hi Alession
I work with XDCAM too and finish in SD.
I’ve been mixing a lot of DVCam with XDCAM and nothing to complain. The XDCAM footage shines beside the DVCam.
BTW, is the XDCAM footage getting the “shift-fields” when you drop it in the sequence?
Rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Alessio Gemma]

Rafael,
when I drag the clips in the timeline, they appear awful: it doesn’t matter if they’re SD or HD! But if I play them in the FCP Viewer they are OK!
I exported the sequence in self contained ProRes 422 and played it in QuickTime… it looks orrible!!

[Rafael Amador]

Really strange Alessio.
[Alessio Gemma] “when I drag the clips in the timeline, they appear awful: it doesn’t matter if they’re SD or HD!”
What do you mean, the DVCam stuff looks bad too?
Make sure that you have set Rendering to Full Quality.
Did you checked the “shift Fields” filter?
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Alessio Gemma]

Ok, I made some trials and I can be more clear…

I have these two type of clips:

1) XDCAM HD 422 1920×1080 50i Field dominance: Upper
2) DV-PAL 720×576 4:3 Field dominance: Lower

I create a new sequence with the following settings:

– Apple ProRes 422 PAL CCIR 601 5:4 720×576 Field dominance Upper with same codec as render
– Best render selected
– Best Motion selected

when i drag the clips I have to render the sequence: after this, I playback the sequence and Isee that the XDCAM clips play good, while the DV clips have a sort of flicker effect (I guess that it’s because they have lower field dominance)… so I apply the switch field filter (with +1 as value) to the DV clips, I render the sequence but without any result… I tried to apply later the deinterlace filter with “lower” selected… after rendering, it seems all good… but is this the right workflow????
Another question… if I reduce the clip speed more than 50% I see a sort of strobe effect, very bad to see: but this happens only with DV clips, not with XDCAM clips…
Any suggestion?

Thanks in advance!

Alessio

[Rafael Amador]

Alessio,
You did it OK. I don’t understand why it doesn’t work.
If is OK for you go to Progressive:
– Set the sequence to NONE.
– Take away the shift-fields from the DV clips.
– De-interlace all the footage.

[Alessio Gemma] “Another question… if I reduce the clip speed more than 50% I see a sort of strobe effect, very bad to see: but this happens only with DV clips, not with XDCAM clips… “
This is to happens with some FC 6 versions, when you changed speed with the Shift-filter on the clip.
I don’t know if have been fixed, but that made stop making slow-mow in FC long ago.
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Alessio Gemma]

Thanks Rafael,
you sound very expert with this kind of problem!

I can use progressive sequence, is not a problem… but when I export from FCP creating a SCM, can I compress it in MPEG2 non-progressive or I will loose quality? I have to deliver interlaced DVD beacuse the 90% of the customers own non-progressive DVD players.

Regarding the slow motion, do you think that I can use it without problems if I work in a progressive sequence all deinterlaced?

If can help you to understand, I can post the clips on my FTP server and you can take a look!

Regards,
Alessio

[Rafael Amador]

[Alessio Gemma] ” but when I export from FCP creating a SCM,”
Sorry but I don’t catch SMC.

[Alessio Gemma] “I can use progressive sequence, is not a problem… but when I export from FCP creating a SCM, can I compress it in MPEG2 non-progressive or I will loose quality? I have to deliver interlaced DVD beacuse the 90% of the customers own non-progressive DVD players. “
No problem, IExport aSelf Contained movie and in the Inspector Video Format Tab. Field Dominace, check it as Upper or Lower, is the same.
The MPEG-2 will be an standard interlaced. Of course Progressive look. Will play in any machine.
I work with the EX-1 and I only shot Progressive.

[Alessio Gemma] “Regarding the slow motion, do you think that I can use it without problems if I work in a progressive sequence all deinterlaced? “
See if now works well without the Shift-fields filter.
When I have to slow something down, I do it in Motion, Compressor or Shake.
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Alessio Gemma]

Rafael,
with “SCF” I was meaning Self Contained Movie 🙂
Ok, I’ll try all you told me: it sounds great… I found https://www.larryjordan.biz/articles/lj_extremely_slow_motion.html‘>this tutorial to make a good slow-motion using Apple Motion. I guess it’s what you mean!
Regards,
Alessio