60fps to 30fps

Question

Level 1

8 points

60fps to 30fps

Hi all, I have some footage recorded from a contour hd cam on 1280x720 59.94fps.
I have my proyect and sequence set it up on fcp to this 59.94fps.

Already finished editing and exported to h.264 and now I want to upload it to vimeo. What I´m afraid is that vimeo is going to convert my video to 30fps and I´ll loose frames, so video could look croppy. I think the best is to down the fps to 30 before going to vimeo. Here are my thought of the workflow I need to do. Would like to have comments on it, or better ideas.

Once on fcp, first look at the exact duration of the video, then export as quicktime movie with the same video settings as source (Apple prores LT)
Go to cinema tools and conform the video to 30fps.
Go to compressor and force the video to last the same as the original and convert to h.264.

thoughts?

Posted on Oct 15, 2010 1:33 AM

Reply

Answer 1

FloridaJo

Level 1

114 points

Oct 15, 2010 4:20 AM in response to Wavess

I would upload to Vimeo first as a private video and see how it does.

Reply

Answer 2

Wavess Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 15, 2010 10:44 AM in response to FloridaJo

Yes I did that already, and I´m not quite happy with it, that´s why I´m thinking on uploading to vimeo on 30fps already without loosing frames good like to know some experiences and advices.

Reply

Answer 3

Wes Plate

Level 4

2,859 points

Oct 15, 2010 11:12 AM in response to Wavess

My thought is export your 60fps sequence from FCP as QuickTime movie then compress it to 1280x720 30fps in Compressor. Use the YouTube Sharing preset, it should make some nice results, or at least give you a good place to start if you want different results. Then upload that Compressor-created movie to Vimeo.

Reply

Answer 4

Oct 15, 2010 11:38 AM in response to Wes Plate

I agree with Wes, I don't see any reason to conform it with Cinema Tools.

Reply

Answer 5

Wavess Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 16, 2010 5:22 AM in response to Wes Plate

thanks Wes, I´ll try that, that was one of my first thoughts but was afraid that compressor would discard frames in order to down fps to 30, that was the reason I wanted to conform with cinema tools to 30fps, I would end up with an slow motion movie but would still have my frames there.

Reply

Answer 6

Wes Plate

Level 4

2,859 points

Oct 16, 2010 8:10 AM in response to Wavess

Of course you're going to lose half of your frames to go from 60 to 30.

Maybe you need to tell us what you're trying to achieve here. What is your goal?

Reply

Answer 7

Wavess Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 16, 2010 8:19 AM in response to Wes Plate

my goal is to have the smothest and bes quality video as possible, they do have lot of fast movement and that´s why I capture at 60fps.

if I convert with compressor to 30fps I´m going to loose frames and that´s why I thought about conforming to 30fps with cinema tools and then go to compressor to speed up the final movie as original footage, I think that with this way I would not loose any frame.

do you think that this workflow is not good?

Reply

Answer 8

Wes Plate

Level 4

2,859 points

Oct 16, 2010 8:27 AM in response to Wavess

Wavess wrote:
my goal is to have the smothest and bes quality video as possible, they do have lot of fast movement
and that´s why I capture at 60fps

But you said that you don't care if it plays back in slow motion. You don't see why professionals like us don't understand what you're saying? Give us details about your project, send us a link to your Vimeo video. It is very difficult to advise people when their request is at best vague and confusing.

30fps is perfectly fine and perfectly smooth for about 99% of the world. Have you ever noticed how all kinds of events with fast motion somehow end up being broadcast in NTSC countries?

do you think that this workflow is not good?

I think that you might not be describing yourself very well.

Post the link to your video produced as I described, we'll tell you if 30fps works.

Reply

Answer 9

Wavess Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 16, 2010 8:41 AM in response to Wes Plate

ok probably I´m not explaining myself well, english is not my mother tongue either but it´s very clear for me.

Wes on this action cams the higher the fps at recording the less rolling shutter and vibrations you get.

I´ll change the frame rate at compressor to 30 and post it back. BTW here is the 60 fps I uploaded to vimeo on first:

http://www.vimeo.com/15819076

pass: chemita

Reply

Answer 10

Wes Plate

Level 4

2,859 points

Oct 16, 2010 9:14 AM in response to Wavess

Hmmmm, I'm afraid FPS may be the least of your worries. 🙂

Nothing seems very special about the motion that 30fps can't capture. Do you believe that your video would look so much better if Vimeo had not converted your 60fps video to 30fps?

You asked if I didn't like your workflow. I think you're chasing a non-problem.

Reply

Answer 11

Wavess Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 16, 2010 10:51 AM in response to Wes Plate

Looks more fluid played here on my mac, that´s why I thought it could be that problem.

There is nothing special there than 30fps can capture as you said, but this cam is mounted on an r/c heli that has many vibrations, 60fps helps to have less rolling shutter this is for sure.

if you´ve seen ok those are great news!!

Reply