What settings for initial FCP7 set-up?

[Spencer Averick]

Hey Vic, you do lose quite a bit of quality going to DVD but there are ways to adjust quality settings. Obviously, it depends so much on the quality of the raw content you shoot. When you shoot on your small camcorder then compress to DVD there will be some loss. If you shoot on a RED camera then compress for DVD it will still look pretty good, even though you’re compressing both to same exact format (mpeg2 always for sd dvd).

Do you color correct at all? You might want to apply some contrast to your image before compressing to dvd, that might off set the washed out look you see.

In terms of dvd quality, it doesn’t matter if you use DVDSP or Toast. The only thing that matters is bit rate. In Compressor after you apply the dvd “best quality 90 minutes”, click on that setting on your file to open in the inspector. Select the “encoder” tab in the inspector. Select the “quality tab”. Here you can adjust the “average bit rate”. As you move the slider up, go back to the “summary” tab to see that your estimated file size has gone up. You can’t go over 4.7 gigs for dvds.

I would do some tests with a 2 minute piece of your video. Adjust the “average bit rate” up to like 7.0 or 8.0 and see how that looks compared to 5 or 6 or what you had it at.

[Vic Noseworthy]

Thanks so much, Spencer, for those tips. I will definitely try them.

I’m a bit of a stickler when it comes to quality on DVDs; everyone’s seems better than mine. At the same time, I haven’t had a single complaint from customers (i.e. brides). In fact, two (of the 8 or 9) weddings I’ve done so far have raved about their videos.

With regards to my cameras, I should mention that I also shoot regularly with a Canon T3i. My understanding (from what I’ve read online) is that the T3i shoots at about 45Mbs, as compared to the Vixia camcorders, which shoot at 24 Mbs. I like to shoot with these because I can afford to have several cameras, and hence several camera angles at once (esp. at the church). I really like editing, and the multiple angles provide a great selection of shots.

FYI: The image quality is very, very comparable between the Vixia camcorders and the T3i. In fact, the only real difference I can see is in the color balance; the T3i is much warmer. (I love the bokeh afforded by the T3i, esp. when I use my f/1.4 lens, which is always!)

I have been wondering about color correcting, and how it might affect the overall image quality that I’m getting. When I say my image looks “washed out”, what I’m really saying is that the image shifts very much to the brighter end of the spectrum, such that everything is overexposed (especially the whites!). This problem is very much exaggerated when I compress for DVD (i.e. mpeg2). Perhaps there’s a way to bring down the whites??? I really don’t know much at all about color correcting, though I have toyed with it for specific clips. My problems is that I really don’t understand the workflow necessary for color correcting. Do I have to go in and color correct each clip individually, or can I cut my clips together and color correct afterwards? I ask this because I never know which clips I’m going to be using until I’m actually editing, and it seems crazy to try to color correct every clip. How do the pros do it? Do they color correct each and every shot, even those they don’t actually use? Do they save two copies of each clip (i.e. the original and the color corrected version)?

Anyways, sorry to bombard you with so many questions. Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated! Thank you again!
Vic

[Spencer Averick]

Hey Vic, I would definitely color correct your videos, it will make a big difference. The first few times you do it will be a learning process but once you get it you’ll be able to knock it out in a couple hours.

In the professional process the color correction happens after the edit is finished and locked, and it is very time consuming because they do color each shot individually, although there are obviously ways to copy and paste certain “looks” to similar or identical shots to save time.

But when I think about your situation with weddings, if I was editing and you gave me a shot that lasted an hour during the ceremony and was washed out, I would probably fix it before I started editing. Apply it to the clip before it goes into the timeline so that I don’t have to tediously apply a color filter every time I see that same shot. For everything else like quicker shots I’d only color correct after picture lock.

So for your situation with weddings you should focus on 2 things- Color consistency (mainly with the whites, white balancing, but also with overall hue) and contrast (avoid the washed out look).

Like I said this will take time getting used to , but start with this- apply the 3-way color correcter to a clip in the timeline. Now adust the “blacks” slider the the left and you’ll see the blacks getting blacker. Now adjust the “whites” slider to the right and the whites get whiter (or to the the left if you want to bring the whites down like you said) . Use small adjustments here don’t go overboard. This is adding basic contrast and will help your finished look. You may have to adjust the saturation slider up a bit. Play with the “mids” slider as well. Also, to the lower left of the “whites” slider there is a tiny box. If you click that, then go to your video and point it to anything that is truly white in the frame, then you’ll automatically adjust the white balance. White balance will be key in giving your video an overall consistency. Let’s say you like this look and want to apply it to other clips in the timeline. Copy the clip then option+v to paste attributes>filters to other clips. Or you can open the filter and drag it into your browser, then name it something like “wedding ceremony CAM A”. Now you have that filter to drag and drop to any clip you want in the timeline. Also always remember to keep in mind that your computer monitor isn’t exactly the perfect reference. Professionals use expensive monitors to see exactly what the finished product will look like. In your case, the only way to view exactly what your clients will see is to burn dvd’s and watch at home.

This is just a tiny bit of what coloring is, but you should definitely play around with it, and see how it looks after adding contrast and compressing for the DVD

[Vic Noseworthy]

Hey, Spencer.
Thank you, again, for your awesome help! I was out of town for a few days, so it took me a little while to respond. I will definitely be experimenting with the suggestions you have made. Also, and as an aside, I just finished reading “The DV Rebel’s Guide” (while I was out of town) and, in that, the author talks about color balancing and luminance adjusting. I do believe I am gradually getting to understand and appreciate the importance of adjusting color in post. In fact, I’m kinda’ excited, since I’m sure it’ll make my productions all the better!
Going forward, I will no doubt have many questions. Again, your willingness to share your expertise in this area is so very much appreciated. I can’t thank you enough, and I expect I may wish to draw upon your kindness and knowledge in the future.
I will keep experimenting and testing!
All the best,
Vic