Mark Spano
Forum Replies Created
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You might be able to do a proper MPEG-2 encode for broadcast with Compressor, but in the past I have found the customization options for this format in Compressor are much more suited to Blu-Ray and DVD encoding than broadcast. For that, I’ve used Squeeze or Episode to make an MPEG-2 with the right spec for broadcast. Get a detailed spec from the broadcaster and see how many of those line items you can hit with Compressor. I would bet you’ll need to move up to Episode or Squeeze…
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Some math is in order to figure out what bit rate you should encode at to hit a size target. If your file needs to be (let’s say) 200MB, then using H.264 compression, your total bit rate should be around 1500 kbps. I got that figure from this calculator:
Obviously you will have to test to make sure you hit the size, but it sounds about right to me.
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I’ve used the encoding in Compressor with success. Here’s a tip – what you’re seeing as 15-17 Mbps is the encoding for AVC on DVD-R. Switch your burn drive in the preset to either your Blu-Ray burner or Hard Drive (for a disk image) and the bitrate options expand to ~30Mbps, which is much higher quality. I use mostly automatic encoding settings in Compressor from there, and I get good results.
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Not upgrading to Lion any time soon, but perhaps an alternative: I have a system with both a Kona 3G and a Mojo DX, running 10.6.6, with MC 5.5 and FCP 7. To simplify wiring, I tested the Kona 3G’s 422 port to see if it could be used with MC as well. Not at the same time (i.e. no FCP or AJA app can be open if you want MC to control 422, and vice versa), but it does work. Forget that Lion business for now – although Bob you’re right: very soon you won’t be able to get a new Mac without Lion, so better be prepared.
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You’d use Cinema Tools if you wanted to conform (i.e. have your 25fps file play back at 23.98fps, slowed down). Since no conversion is involved, there is zero loss of quality. However, it will run longer and the audio is pitched down. If you want to try this, I suggest giving it a shot to see what it does. Make sure however to do this on a copy of your file – Cinema Tools operates on the source file without creating a new one.
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Just make sure in your Media Creation settings that the Render tab is set to a DNxHD codec. Then apply any effects as you normally would – anything that needs to be rendered will render to DNxHD…
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You could do what you have there, or you could do what we did at my facility. I have a master sync generator with multiple configurable outputs. I have programmed this to output three different types of reference signal: NTSC, PAL, and 1080/23.98sF. I feed those three outputs into a composite video router like this:
It’s a 16×16 router, and I’m using three inputs and 12 outputs. Each input can feed multiple outputs, and with the control panel (sold separately), it’s simply a matter of pushing an output button (destination) and then the corresponding input button (source). Put all your rooms and decks as destinations and just punch up what ref goes where. Signal routed, no need for a separate DA or patchbay. You can get a larger router (32×32), or chain multiple routers together for a larger install. But this is very elegant and simple for anyone to use. You can even “lock” destinations if you have multiple persons changing ref in and out and want to make sure nothing gets punched accidentally.
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There may be a better/cheaper way to do this, but this will do exactly what you’re asking:
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Yes. Create a compressor preset for your desired format and frame rate, and then in the Frame Controls tab, make sure that Retiming is set to Best/100% of source. Prepare for this to take a while as it is one of the most time consuming and processor intensive things you can do with Compressor. But it will keep duration exactly the same and get you to your frame rate. There are other ways to do this in hardware that many will say look better, but those boxes are upwards of $10K. If you can afford to send your footage out to another facility that has one of these frame rate converters, it’s worth it – if not, Compressor is your next best bet.
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I replied to your earlier thread but in case you missed it:
Look for the TC/CHR button. There you’ll find the screen you need, and the soft key you’re looking for is called “DF MD” (drop-frame mode). On = drop, off = non-drop.