What is best setting for SD video to ne projected in large hall (from ProRes master)?

[David Roth weiss]

More impotent than the codec would be the connection from your MBP to the projector. Since you have not mentioned having an I/O device, how do you intend to output a true video signal to the projector? Keep in mind, in most big theaters projectors are not computer monitors.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.com

Don’t miss my new Creative Cow Podcast: Producing Episodic TV with “24” Producer Michael Klick:
https://library.creativecow.net/weiss_roth_david/Podcast-Series-1_Michael-Klick/1

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

Creative COW contributing editor and a forum host of the Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums.

[Adrian Smith]

As I mentioned it will not be one but many different locations so it is impossible to say what any one connection will be. This is being produced for a client who will go from event to event. The video file will play back from different computers (usually a MacBook Pro). I have no control over what the computer will be or what the connection is (not clairvoyant – though I hear there is an app for that).

What I need to figure out is the best codec/ video format to give the client so they will have their bases covered. The client is not a techie but a marketing person and will not want umpteen different variations (SD and HD will have to suffice)

So I am presuming some version of an h264 QT file. I have also heard that playback in the ProRes format is also not bad (depending on the power/set-up for the lap top).

So given that the average scenario is a standard projector of decent power and quality projecting onto a 4:3 screen in a 500 seat venue can someone suggest some good settings/codec from a proRes source.

I’m sure there are other producers/editor who have clients with the same needs/issues (yes, I know, they all have issues).

Thanks

A.S.

[Steve Eisen]

Listen to David. The output from any computer MacBook Pro or Mac Pro is a “Computer signal” not video. They are different. As with each computer and projector, they each have their limitations.

My latest MacBook Pro can output between 1280 x 960 up to 1920 x 1080. Not all laptops are the same

I own a couple of projectors that can accept and output 1920 x 1080. Not all projectors are the same.

I would keep it simple and create an SD DVD and play back from a dvd player via component or hdmi. Do not change your aspect ratio. This way you are sending a video signal to the projector. Video signal will look better than computer signal.

Steve Eisen
Eisen Video Productions
Vice President
Chicago Final Cut Pro Users Group

[David Roth weiss]

[Steve Eisen] “Listen to David.”

Listen to Steve and myself.

Evidently Adrian you did not understand that I was asking you about the connection to the projection for a good reason, i.e. other than to test your psychic abilities. And, it is your job to know precisely how your film will be projected. If you want the audience to see it as you intended, you have got to determine these things in advance, by asking the right questions. Every other film and video maker does.

As Steve mentioned, a video signal and the output of a computer graphics card are not one and the same. So, as I mentioned earlier, picking the proper codec is not as important as knowing what the proper playback device/connection will be for the projector.

And, I also agree with Steve in that I would also choose to go with a SD DVD.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.com

Don’t miss my new Creative Cow Podcast: Producing Episodic TV with “24” Producer Michael Klick:
https://library.creativecow.net/weiss_roth_david/Podcast-Series-1_Michael-Klick/1

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

Creative COW contributing editor and a forum host of the Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums.

[Adrian Smith]

Are you both nuts? That is the most unprofessional reply I have ever heard.

How can I know what connections will be made when it will be shown around the world in different venues? Also my client has requested that it play from a desktop. It’s funny Electronic Arts recently requested from the same thing for a recent presentation (though you would for sure say they were wrong and should stick to VHS).

The reason for preferring the desktop is on the grounds that you get much better resolution from playing from the hard drive and can have a bigger file size. Also DVD playback is notoriously unstable. True though, AV techs sometimes ask for one as a back up.

So if you can’t answer the very simple original question of what is the best format…(and I am learning from the Apple forum that ProRes 422 with suitable QT player installed is the way to go) then please don’t chime in with erroneous, irrelevant and misleading information.

It is both insulting and demeaning. I am in contact with the techs for the launch presentation which will be in hi-def. But do you really think it is an editors job to know every single venue the video will be played in over the next five years and have nice chats re. the projector connections with each one. Hmm, Not sure that’s in the budget, old chaps.

Ye Gods!

Pull yourselves together and pay attention to what’s being asked and not turning it to a “well you can’t get there form here” scenario.

Sorry for the rant – but bloody hell!

[John Pale]

https://youtu.be/teMlv3ripSM

[David Roth weiss]

[Adrian Smith] “if you can’t answer the very simple original question of what is the best format…(and I am learning from the Apple forum that ProRes 422 with suitable QT player installed is the way to go) then please don’t chime in with erroneous, irrelevant and misleading information.”

Clearly, this matter is more complicated than you know, otherwise you’d be thankful that Steve and I attempted to give you the proper advice.

Good luck!

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.com

Don’t miss my new Creative Cow Podcast: Producing Episodic TV with “24” Producer Michael Klick:
https://library.creativecow.net/weiss_roth_david/Podcast-Series-1_Michael-Klick/1

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

Creative COW contributing editor and a forum host of the Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums.

[Adrian Smith]

Oh you silly person. It’s not that complicated at all. It just requires a certain combination of actions to make it happen.

The combination is:

1) A good video (no point bothering otherwise)
2) The video in the correct format to be projected
3) Knowledge of where it will be projected and how (laptop as per client request)
4) A skilled AV crew to make sure all connections are in place and video projects at its best.

So there are different people and skill sets in the loop. The producer will tie that all together in conjunction with the client (presuming there is budget). I am not the producer. I am but the humble editor.

Now my job as the editor is thus: I am tasked with making the video work from a creative and thematic viewpoint. Now, as there is not the budget to hand the master video file to a video engineer (as say Thelma Schoonmaker might at the end of the editing process with Martin Scorsese – would you have Thelma checking the projector connections too?) I am making the projection format myself.

So before I involve the other people and technologies in the chain I simply want to know the best format to put the video into using Compressor. There are many variables. I was simply asking advice as for the best one (best practices as they say).

DVD is not an option as the client has expressly said they want to project from a laptop (too many bad experiences with messed up DVDs).

So to sum up – it’s not complicated it just requires good communication and answering the question that is asked – and not going off on a tangent.

Meanwhile the problem is solved, Good advise from FCP user group and Electronic Arts.

Not so great from you – but I have enjoyed the argument immensely.

So thanks for that!

[Adrian Smith]

And for other members of the forum who might have the same question – here is what i have found to be the best options:

Play Back Pro (Plus) – Standard Definition Video Playback
Supported QuickTime Codecs

Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) (ideal codec)
H.264
QuickTime “None” uncompressed codec
Blackmagic uncompressed 8bit and 10bit
AV Concepts Playback Pro systems are designed for standard definition video playback only. Contents of the system are:

Mac Pro Laptop, 17″
2.6GHz Intel Core Duo Processor
4GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
G-Drive 1T Hard Drive
1x 3Gbit, eSATA
2x FireWire 800 (9-pin)
1x USB2.0
Matrox MXO Output monitoring/scan converter
Tape ingest through:
Maxtro MXO-2
or
AJA IOla

Make the sure the Playback Pro app is installed:

PlaybackPro is a fully modern Macintosh application that takes advantage of advances in software stability and graphics capabilities. Using one output as the operator interface, it sends clean video to the secondary video output, utilizing the graphics card for hardware acceleration with complete control over size, aspect ratio, and levels.

There – now that wasn’t hard was it.

[Greg Ball]

Wow! My question is why bother asking if you already had the answer? On top of that, you had several folks here trying to HELP you. Why all the rudeness? Are you the same way with your clients? There are many ways to behave when you’re not getting the info you need.

Good luck on your show. More luck to your clients.