Best codec from XDCAM to H.264 plus MPEG2?

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Ben Low Author

Level 1

112 points

Best codec from XDCAM to H.264 plus MPEG2?

I have to output a job real fast.

30 minute film. Shot in XDCam EX 1080p 30fps. Needs to out of here by dawn tomorrow.

I want to make a XDCam? or ProRes? master from which I will make:

1. H.264 to go up on web immediately (converting using DVKitchen).

2. MPEG2 (via Compressor) to make a DVD immediately.

If I go to ProRes will I get my H.264 faster? (I've using DVKitchen to convert to H.264)

Will I get an MPEG2 faster if I send it to Compressor straight from the XDCam EX timeline? Or if I make a ProRes master first, THEN send it to Compressor for the MPEG2?

Just curious... any suggestions would be most appreciated,

Ben

Posted on Apr 20, 2011 5:01 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 20, 2011 5:10 PM in response to Ben Low

Export a self-contained movie with current settings (command-e). (I would say export a reference movie, which is a lot smaller in size, but occasionally those are problematic in Compressor, and if you are in a rush, it's best to go the sure route).

Then bring that into Compressor. That will be faster, otherwise you will tie-down both FCP and Compressor.

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Answer 2

fearless

Level 6

9,538 points

Apr 21, 2011 2:55 AM in response to Ben Low

Perhaps not the right suggestion under pressure of a deadline, but setting up a cluster using QAdministrator can really speed up this kind of compression job, especially on an 8- or 12-core machine. Different story if you're trying to chain multiple machines together (tricky) but on a single machine these jobs fly.

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Answer 3

Apr 21, 2011 8:19 AM in response to Ben Low

Prores 4:2:2 HQ. That way the DVD will have a more accurate colour reproduction and you wont have gamma issues when importing to Compressor to make your MPEG 2. I would then export from FCP the H.264 file with a gamma correction as FCP is gamma is different to web playback.

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Answer 4

Ben Low Author

Level 1

112 points

Apr 21, 2011 8:27 AM in response to Ali Walker

HI Ali,

Thank you kindly. This sounds interesting. The ProRes 4:2:2 HQ sounds right. I usually make my H.264 using DVKitchen. But!! I've noticed that the DVKitchen default (I'm controlling the bitrate, size, etc., but not the gamma) is giving me something not quite as lustrous as the original - though it makes a super clean H-264, and I'm suspecting that DVKitchen might also be accommodating somehow for the PC monitors out there, which have the contrast jacked up?

How would I do a gamma correction on the ProRes as it's going out to an H.264? That's unfamiliar territory for me.

All ears,

Ben

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Answer 5

Ben Low Author

Level 1

112 points

Apr 21, 2011 8:31 AM in response to Christina Rodriguez

That would have been my first inclination Christina. I like the idea of using the ProRes 422 HQ though, even if it makes a large file. Then again, I'm wondering if the ProRes is going to take longer in the conversion to MPEG2 and to H.264.

I may just do some tests this weekend after the rush is over.

Thank you for your suggestion, much appreciated.

All the best,

Ben

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Answer 6

Ben Low Author

Level 1

112 points

Apr 21, 2011 8:35 AM in response to fearless

Fearless,

I would have to be 'fearless' to try that. Though I think the attempt would be moot - this system here only appears to be a dual core, which would probably mean your QAdministrator wouldn't have much effect. I've never heard of doing a 'cluster' before, what exactly is it? Is there a tutorial out there for working with QAdministrator? Something I've never done.

Ben

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Answer 7

Apr 21, 2011 8:43 AM in response to Ben Low

Hi Ben,

ProRes 4:2:2 HQ is a fixed bit rate encoder, designed to retain all the colour and dynamic range of your edit. Most video cameras are no where near the 422 dynamic range, most 4:2:0 etc etc, so your actually saving GB of useless information. However, you need 422's dynamic range to retain ALL your videos information to get a precise rendering of your FCP renders and at the HQ setting.- Don't use Variable Bit rate compressors, then are not designed for masters like ProRes is.

Regarding Gamma: Mac default is 2.2 and PC's is 1.8. Video is 2.2 and therefore FCP playback is at 2.2- hence why it sometimes looks darker when you hit the space bar.

So there are more PCS than Macs, hence web is really a 1.8 gamma- however Apple's guess is that soon it will be 2.2 when everyone uses computers to playback videos.

So H.264 renders videos lighter- as its shifting the gamma, due to its @multimedia design / application.

Go to: system settings/monitor/colour/ and create a new profile of 1.8 or 2.2 what ever you have it set at. Then switch between both Gamma profiles to see what your video looks like on TV and on the web.

You could either make a TV version for playback on DVD at 2.2 or a web only version at 1.8 (or just leave it at 2.2). Its totally up to you. I usually do a 1.8 as it can show up crushed blacks as blocks.

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Answer 8

Ben Low Author

Level 1

112 points

Apr 21, 2011 8:48 AM in response to Ali Walker

Ali!

You are a whizz. This is super helpful. I'm going to copy your text and have it embossed ... and stick it in my notebook as something to re-read when mastering (like in about three hours when the cut is done). I've often wondered about the discrepancies of gamma, the two systems. I now feel enlightened.

Very much appreciated, thank you X 10.

Ben

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Answer 9

Apr 21, 2011 9:02 AM in response to Ben Low

No worries Ben. Always render in 2.2 for video playback though and i personally would keep it at 1.8 for web as there are more PC's than Macs and more people using monitors to view video clips on. Just use the colour profile you made/saved in the system pref/monitor and switch back and forth for a preview as mentioned and then export to whatever gamma setting you need. If your export from FCP to H264, H264 auto- gamma corrects for web (hence its lighter) so no need to change anything for web/mutimedia use.

Remember, you don't "fix" gamma only need to understand what gamma your playback source is.

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Answer 10

Ben Low Author

Level 1

112 points

Apr 21, 2011 9:10 AM in response to Ali Walker

Got it. Wonderful. Thank you. I'm looking forward to playing with it later today ... and hereafter everything I master will be at least 4:2:2. And reading your notes I realize that DVKitchen is probably making that gamma change automatically to accommodate the PC's. But I'll do a couple of tests, as you suggest, and maybe have a conversation with the DVKitchen people. (I've found that DVKitchen has been giving me cleaner smaller H.264 files than I was able to get out of either FCP or from Quicktime itself. And it's faster than Compressor.)

All the best,

Ben

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Answer 11

Apr 21, 2011 9:37 AM in response to Ben Low

DV Kitchen uses x264 a really good codec compared to h.264. Downside is compatibility as you need the x264 codec installed the other end to see it!

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Answer 12

Ben Low Author

Level 1

112 points

Apr 21, 2011 9:43 AM in response to Ali Walker

You ARE onto everything aren't you!

I figure that whatever I upload to Vimeo or YouTube gets reconverted anyhow, and I'm thinking the X.264 is a better start point for the conversion.

And thank you, AGAIN. I was wondering about the X.264 ... if I were to put it up on one of my project sites. But lately I've found that Vimeo is a better way to go for work ... I've uploaded something like 20 hours of working sequences from four different projects; all with passwords, so my various producing partners or subjects can view and not be viewed. A wonderful tool, Vimeo.

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