choosing between unscaled and DV NTSC best quality?

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Level 1

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choosing between unscaled and DV NTSC best quality?

I was converting some downloaded video(thru Mpeg stream) and noticed the different settings to choose from. I have been using DV NTSC but was suddenly struck by the idea that maybe I should be using 'unscaled' to get the best quality when I import it into Final cut for editing, can someone explain what the difference is between unscaled and DV NSTC or at least guide me to which is the best choice for the highest quality? I was using DV NTSC because I thought that would match according to what my camera was posting. WOW! There is so much to learn, I don't know how Tom does it!!

Thanks everyone!
ruez

Mac G5, Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Posted on Apr 30, 2008 10:26 AM

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Answer 1

MartinR

Level 7

25,334 points

Apr 30, 2008 1:22 PM in response to ruez

Choosing unscaled is likely to give you worse quality, not better.

If your goal is to edit in FCE, you should use MPEG Streamclip to convert your video to Quicktime. In the resulting dialog box choose either Apple DV/DVCPRO NTSC, Apple DV-PAL or Apple Intermediate Codec depending on your video (in North America, use NTSC or Apple Intermediate Codec). You can select among frame sizes but for most purposes with NTSC you should stick with 720x480. Push the quality slider to 100%.

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Answer 2

Apr 30, 2008 1:39 PM in response to MartinR

Tom says the quality slider has no effect with normal DV.

I have just found his original quote:-

"DV is data rate specific. It's always about 3.5MB/sec depending on audio and other factors, but the video is fixed. Some codecs like Photo-JPEG and H.264 are variable. The quality slider determines the data rate. "

Message was edited by: Ian R. Brown

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Answer 3

MartinR

Level 7

25,334 points

Apr 30, 2008 2:33 PM in response to Ian R. Brown

I'm just superstitious enough to do it anyway! Kind of like the 'Post-Mailing Peek Compulsion' ... posting a letter and then opening the door a second time just to make sure it went in all the way ...

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Answer 4

ruez Author

Level 1

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Apr 30, 2008 4:42 PM in response to MartinR

Thanks for all your expertise guys! That helped a lot. I LOVE this board. And, even in my darkest hours when I was learning FCE you guys told me that it would be worth it in the long run and I am now at that place where I agree with you wholeheartedly (even though I still run into obstacles) I love the control I have with FCE compared to IMOVIE. So, thanks again for all you do!!

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