Michael Slowe
Forum Replies Created
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As Rafael suggests do it within your edit system but I’m not familiar with FCP but he obviously is.
Michael Slowe
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Kimberley.The software for encoding DVD’s is, in my opinion, critical. The best one I find is BitVice which also does a high quality downscale, HD to SD at the same time as the encode, which is using VBR (variable bit rate)& by way of a double pass.Personally I don’t find Compressor encodes very good DVD’s and only use it for the preparation of the audio Ac3 file. Others may well disagree. Another factor may be that you have a ‘field’ problem. I have had occasions to use ‘Upper field first’ when it should have been ‘lower’ and the result was disasterous. It all depends on codecs used and you have to get it right. I also do a downscale within my edit software from time to time. My Media 100 edit software does a brilliant downscale and I do this if I am mastering to tape before doing a DVD. In that case BitVice doesn’t have to downscale but merely encode in SD. Can you do your downscale in your editing system without using Compressor?
Michael Slowe
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There is a great double DVD instructional workshop on the EX1 by Vortex Media wherein Doug Jensen goes through all aspects in a very professional manner. I think that this is essential viewing even if you’re an experienced cameraman. I’m surprised that all the distributers of this camera don’t at least bring it to the attention of customers even if they don’t give them a complimentary copy, which I was fortunate in receiving. Then we are very civilised in the UK!
Michael Slowe
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Wickham, you’re great! You have answered one of my puzzles with the current Media 100 options. I now understand that we have to have the AJA board to edit progressive, that is not widely understood over in Europe by the people I speak to. It does seem sensible now to migrate to the new Intel Mac, pity, the other G5 is not that old yet.
You mention that Media 100 does not deal with Progressive but I acquired into my version 12.1.1 material shot as 1080 25P with the EX1, that’s for sure. I then looked at the information in the bin and it said Interlaced. Since I obviously couldn’t set the correct codec I left it at Media 100 HD. How did it deal with the Progressive media?
It is really appreciated that you watch the posts on this forum and I’m sure I speak for all Media 100 editors that it’s a good feeling that our hopes and fears are in your capable hands – Happy Christmas!
Michael Slowe
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Two points Alex on your post.
It is said that down converts (HD to SD) within Media 100 are better quality with the HDx board than with the new AJA one. Problem is we have to ditch the HDx if we want to work with the new Intel Macs.
As regards Progressive I found that with my version 12.1.1 I can take in 1080 25P (PAL land) but in the bin it is listed as 1080i so Media 100 must be interlacing as the media comes in. I can’t set the codec to Progressive on my version. Presumably version 13 will allow this?
Michael Slowe
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Clint, one MAJOR DIFFERENCE, the ability to actually see the screen for focusing in bright light. The EX3 is a HUGE improvement in this respect. I use an EX1 and don’t really want to go with the EX3 and have been trying to source an adaptation to the finder/screen arrangements. There are a few around, one utilising a sock with a magnifying glass in the end!! On the other hand the EX3 is heavier and more expensive and apart from my point there seems little other difference if you don’t need to change lenses.
Michael Slowe
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Dave, the Sony Transfer tool runs on my Pre Intel Mac G5, it’s the Clip Browser that needs the new Macs.
Michael Slowe
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Thanks Curt, glad to hear that I’m on the right track. I think the BitVice downscale (Hemming?) is software only but my Media 100 downscale is slightly superior and that is using their HDx board. Trouble is their new versions don’t have that (expensive) board anymore and they use an AJA board and the dowscales are done by software only.
I have just seen my latest DVD projected in a cinema on a huge screen and it looked stunning, I couldn’t believe it was a DVD. They use an upscaler and a good projector, the sign of the futute I suppose. That particular cinema group are only putting digital in their re furbished screens so no more film for them!
Michael Slowe
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Curt, one question. What bit rate do you set for your ‘average’ when encoding VBR two passes? I encode with BitVice (great software) and aim for about 7.5 average with minimum of 4.5 and a max of 8.25. If the production is 1 hour I decrease those figures slightly.
Any advice would be welcome. I do find the scaling from HD takes 5X the programme time but it’s a good quality scale.
Michael Slowe
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Thanks Floh, as I expected I stand corrected!
By the way Floh, if you could comment on my difficulties with conforming HD to SD as posted below I would be really grateful.
Michael Slowe