[Ray Apokal]

Nico,

Ah, I see…because it’s a video-box it wouldnt matter the aspect ratio (letterboxing). I assumed you were creating a full screen video.

This will be a little tricky (but very simple) in Compressor:

What you’ll have to do is create the custom Mpeg2 with the settings they provided minus the Half D1 resolution (yes, you’re forced to keep the Full D1).

Save the setting and name it something obvious (like ‘HalfD1’). Close Compressor and find that setting file (HalfD1.setting).

Open it in TextEdit and change the width resolution to 352. Overwrite the existing file and reopen Compressor. Your custom Half D1 should be updated.

You’ve got a peculiar spec sheet and Compressor is very anal-retentive and inflexible.

In other compression programs like BitVice I believe they have a myriad of presets like Half D1. It’s worth looking into.

LR Apokal

[Ray Apokal]

The idea is to get more video onto a DVD by taking half the horizontal resolution. I know it sounds horrible, but I think it was a workflow that was created for single-layer DVD constraints.

It was awhile ago that I worked on it, but my workflow was:

AE–> Final Cut –>Compressor –>DVD SP

In AE and FCP I worked in D1 720×486. I kept the pixel ratio to the typical NTSC .9. It wasn’t until I got to Compressor that I changed the resolution to Half D1 352×480 for NTSC. When I brought it into DVDSP it stretched it back.

Nico, I would do a quick test to make sure your aspect ratio in your square pixel workflow works. Also, I’m confused that they would want widescreen in an SD resolution. Do they want a letterbox?

LR Apokal

[Ray Apokal]

Nico,

Half D1 is a real resolution, It’s rare but real. Don’t ask your contact ‘what the heck they are talking about’ just yet.

What program are you using to compress these files into a mpeg2?

LR Apokal

[Ray Apokal]

I know how that is. I can’t count the times something made more sense after I walked away from it for a bit.
good luck

LR Apokal

[Ray Apokal]

Hi Jay,

So my problem is as the pre split logo ramps in opacity you can see the split due to the antialiasing (I think this is the right term in this case and not aliasing?) i can fix the final result by over lapping to begin with but you still see the ‘add’ effect of the 2 layers overlapping.

Start the ramping with the image being one piece, not split.

Then when it begins its move to the right, immediately (next frame) switch to the layer that animates.

LR Apokal

[Ray Apokal]

Hi Jay,

there could be a blending of two issues here, I think this is the first one:

My problem is the blur on the adjoining horizontal split is giving and ‘add’ effect when the logos opacity is animated.

you’re layers could be overlapping and will need to be adjusted by a pixel

the other is the issue of subjecting the perfect vector into the imperfect world of DV, I agree with Darby, let’s look at a picture.

LR Apokal

[Ray Apokal]

One overly zealous member came to me with preshot footage described in the original post. I’m just trying to help the kid out.

teach him the painful (but character-building) lesson of rotoscoping. =)

LR Apokal

[Ray Apokal]

“Shooting green/blue screen with poor lightning”

why are you torturing compositors? that’s just cruel!

Have you done any tests with the current setup. I wouldn’t even attempt it until you’ve shot some options and then tried keying them.
You’ve got a tough situation though. I’ve even seen some difficult keys from studio lighting.

[Ray Apokal]

I constantly say it wrong, it’s only when I see it written that I catch myself, haha

[Ray Apokal]

Danny-
actually it’s “Moving Pictures Expert Group” 😉

Haze-

What version of Compressor are you using to compress to mpeg?