Jon Doughtie
Forum Replies Created
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Johan, let’s start with VHS itself. An SD consumer format, the resolution of the VHS picture is 720×486. Actual lines of resolution for standard VHS will be around 240 or so. It is, by modern standards, a very low rez format.
As a color-under format (color information on a subcarrier frequency) it usually can carry a fair amount of noise in the color signal.
I do agree with the recommendation of finding a pro deck (usually Panasonic or JVC, although there are others) that has time base correction. This is will adjust for all the little timing errors in a mechanical tape system, assuring every scan line appears exactly timed with those above and below it.
How do you know if it is a “good” VCR? A more relative question. Buy known brands from reputable sellers. Buy from someone who also refurbishes and repairs these decks. You aren’t going to see huge numbers of options that matter any more on these decks, with the exception of output.
In the analog world, component output (separate RGB) is best. Next in line would be S-video, separating lumininance and color information. Third would be composite (what you called “RCA”), with luminance and color already “mixed”. Last in line would be RF over coax, which is video and audio mixed and converted to a broadcast channel frequency.
For digitizing VHS, in my humble opinion, a USB-style converter will be fine. If you haven’t done the most you can with the steps above this one, a fancy digital encoder will not save you. Garbage in, garbage out. I use an older adapter that converts analog video to Firewire, and record direct into Premiere Pro.
VHS is not a particularly robust format. The ideal of time base correction and component out will give you about the best you can get.
If material was shot poorly or in bad light, none of this will make that look good, just less miserable.
System:
Dell Precision T7600 (x2)
Win 7 64-bit
32GB RAM
Adobe CC 2014 (as of 7/2015)
256GB SSD system drive
4 internal media drives RAID 5
Typically cutting short form from HD MP4 and P2 MXF. -
Have they been saved with an RGB 8-bit colorspace, or CMYK? Check one in Photoshop and see.
System:
Dell Precision T7600 (x2)
Win 7 64-bit
32GB RAM
Adobe CC 2014 (as of 7/2015)
256GB SSD system drive
4 internal media drives RAID 5
Typically cutting short form from HD MP4 and P2 MXF. -
The 1080 broadcast spec in the US is an interlaced signal – 1080i 29.97.
The 720 spec is progressive – 720P.
You can produce progressive if you want, but your final deliverable should be 1080i 29.97.
System:
Dell Precision T7600 (x2)
Win 7 64-bit
32GB RAM
Adobe CC 2014 (as of 7/2015)
256GB SSD system drive
4 internal media drives RAID 5
Typically cutting short form from HD MP4 and P2 MXF. -
Unless someone knows something I don’t know (which is in fact completely possible), there is not a Blu-Ray workflow directly out of Premiere Pro.
Encore is the application for DVD and Blu-Ray authoring. Although it EOL’d with CS6, I believe, it is still available.
The workflow I usually use is Premiere Pro to Media Encoder to create DVD/Blu-Ray friendly media. Then import media into Encore and author from there.
You can also use Premiere Pro (with or without Media Encoder) to produce Blu-Ray ready media, and then use another authoring application to create your Blu-Rays.
By all means, someone who’s smarter than me chime in if I have any of this wrong!
System:
Dell Precision T7600 (x2)
Win 7 64-bit
32GB RAM
Adobe CC 2014 (as of 7/2015)
256GB SSD system drive
4 internal media drives RAID 5
Typically cutting short form from HD MP4 and P2 MXF. -
Also what is your storage arrangement? What hard drives do you have, and how are they connected? How full are they? Have you tried clearing cache?
System:
Dell Precision T7600 (x2)
Win 7 64-bit
32GB RAM
Adobe CC 2014 (as of 7/2015)
256GB SSD system drive
4 internal media drives RAID 5
Typically cutting short form from HD MP4 and P2 MXF. -
Not only not yet shot, but not yet funded? Holy cow.
Like you, I wish them well. But IMHO, you have dodged a bullet.
System:
Dell Precision T7600 (x2)
Win 7 64-bit
32GB RAM
Adobe CC 2014 (as of 7/2015)
256GB SSD system drive
4 internal media drives RAID 5
Typically cutting short form from HD MP4 and P2 MXF. -
Hi Dan, Andy suggests that you *uncheck* that option and try your renders again.
System:
Dell Precision T7600 (x2)
Win 7 64-bit
32GB RAM
Adobe CC 2014 (as of 7/2015)
256GB SSD system drive
4 internal media drives RAID 5
Typically cutting short form from HD MP4 and P2 MXF. -
Delivery in 2017? Nothing shot yet? A yellow flag at the very least.
If they have been “out of the pool” post-wise for a couple of decades, they *might* be thinking currently technology will speed the process up markedly. I always tell folks any time gained in the tech gets consumed in the exploration of creative options. Potentially better end product, but seldom any significant time savings.
System:
Dell Precision T7600 (x2)
Win 7 64-bit
32GB RAM
Adobe CC 2014 (as of 7/2015)
256GB SSD system drive
4 internal media drives RAID 5
Typically cutting short form from HD MP4 and P2 MXF. -
If you use J-K-L keys for playback, does it also behave like this? What version of the suite are you running?
System:
Dell Precision T7600 (x2)
Win 7 64-bit
32GB RAM
Adobe CC 2014 (as of 7/2015)
256GB SSD system drive
4 internal media drives RAID 5
Typically cutting short form from HD MP4 and P2 MXF. -
Another thing to consider is – have THEY done it before?
If they are also new to multi-part long form dynamic, you will both be learning a lot of things while attempting to complete the project.
It will be a good idea to ask even seemingly obvious questions, and close as many communication gaps as possible.
System:
Dell Precision T7600 (x2)
Win 7 64-bit
32GB RAM
Adobe CC 2014 (as of 7/2015)
256GB SSD system drive
4 internal media drives RAID 5
Typically cutting short form from HD MP4 and P2 MXF.