What is the best way to down convert?

[Blast1]

Down convert in the cam, read the cam’s manual it will give you the DV out format options

[Perry Cheng]

That’s one option, but if you are going to edit, I will capture as HDV first, edit, and then downconvert using DVD Presets or whatever (depends on your audience).

Perry

[Joe Cinquina]

Perry – Thank you for your reply. I just have one question, why would I edit first? I thouight it would be better to edit in SD and use all the normal tools and performance and compatibility would be better.

Thanks.

Joe

[Perry Cheng]

Joe,
If you computer is fast enough, editing in HD allows you to have extra pixels room as well as not loosing the quality of re-renderings.

I have read elsewhere, yes, you can take the Camcorder down to SD and let it hardware convert for you from HDV to DV first before you bring it to your computer, however, the PQ is not as good.

Perry

[Perry Cheng]

Just want to clarify, Joe, you want to create a SD presets, import the HD footage into it and the HDV will be imported as bigger than the SD presets and thus you can cut off some pixels that can create interesting things. Then, export that to DVD.

Perry