Finishing HDV 1440 project

Question

Finishing HDV 1440 project

Hi all.

I'm working in Final Cut 7. My project is a 79-minute documentary. 80 pct of the footage is HDV 108050i, 15 pct is SLR footage converted to pro res 108050i (we still have the original H.264 SLR footage), 5 pct miscellanous...

I started out editing in a 108050i HDV sequence, and later switched to a 108050i (i.e. 1440 X 1080) pro res sequence, which is what I am working in now.

We're finishing up the project and will soon need to make an SD DVD, Blue Ray DVD, hi res H.264 and possibly lay off to tape.

I'm looking for advice on getting the highest possible quality for these ouputs.

I'm thinking I should convert all footage to full 1920 X 1080 and also change my sequence settings to 1920 X 1080 pro res as well before finishing. Am I right to assume that this will make a difference in quality? If so, which of these options do you recommend for handling the conversion?

1. change Final Cut sequence settings to 1920 X 1080 pro res and do a full render

2. transcode sequence to 1920 X 1080 using Final Cut media manager

3. transcode each clip to 1920 X 1080 in After effects and rebuild sequence in Final Cut pro res 1920 X 1080 sequence

4. transcode a self-contained quicktime of entire movie to 1920 X 1080 pro res in After Effects, output to various formats as needed

5. Some other option I haven't thought of

Also, does anyone know if there is a benefit for a project like this (mainly 1080i HDV footage, a few graphics, a bit of SLR footage) to converting to 422 HQ vs. regular 422?

Thanks!

Posted on Nov 15, 2012 2:10 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Shane Ross

Level 8

43,110 points

Nov 15, 2012 3:32 PM in response to Community User

>I'm thinking I should convert all footage to full 1920 X 1080 and also change my sequence settings to 1920 X 1080 pro res as well before finishing. Am I right to assume that this will make a difference in quality?

This will only matter with the DSLR footage that is 1920x1080. All the HDV that is 1440x1080...you won't see any difference.

>If so, which of these options do you recommend for handling the conversion?

Don't. Stick with 1440x1080 ProRes. Changing the dimensions now will mess up any moves on stills, any footage repositioning...and will take a while to clean up. Stick with 1440x1080.

Next time, use a full raster ProRes 1920x1080 sequence from the start.

>Also, does anyone know if there is a benefit for a project like this (mainly 1080i HDV footage, a few graphics, a bit of SLR footage) to converting to 422 HQ vs. regular 422?

None. Both formats are 8-bit source. HQ is meant for 10-bit source...even though all versions of ProRes are 10-bit. Just use ProREs 422...you won't gain anything by using HQ...other than larger file size.

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Answer 2

Nov 15, 2012 3:44 PM in response to Shane Ross

Setting aside the question of how long it will take -- will I see an increase in quality on the SLR footage, graphics and stills if I change to an 1920 X 1080 timeline. If so, how much difference?

If it's not worth it, or won't result in higher quality, and sticking to 1440 X 1080 is the best option -- is it worth it to go back to the original SLR footage and convert to 1920 X 1080 and bring THAT (1920 X 1080) into my 1440 pro res timeline? Or convert the SLR footage to 1440 X 1080 pro res and bring THAT in? I think most of the SLR footage in the timeline was converted to 1080i HDV (back when we were editing in HDV).

Thanks for your help!

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Answer 3

Shane Ross

Level 8

43,110 points

Nov 15, 2012 3:48 PM in response to Community User

Where will this end up?

Web? No, you will see no difference.

DVD (SD DVD)? You will see no difference.

BluRay - highly unlikely you'll see any difference as it will get compressed to H.264 anyway

Theatrical projection from ProRes or JPEG-2000 file. Yeah, you might see it then.

Basically no, you won't see any difference. Test a small section if you want. But you won't be able to see any difference in the FCP interface...Canvas. Even with an external HDTV or high end broadcast monitor...you'd be hard pressed.

Worry more about story..

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Answer 4

Nov 15, 2012 3:53 PM in response to Shane Ross

Hmm. It might end up at a Film Festival. Formats range from Blue Ray to DigiBeta to HD Cam to Digital delivery.

What about going back and converting SLR footage to Pro Res 1440 X 1080 (as opposed to 108050i)? Any benefit there?

Point taken on focusing on story! Thank you for the most helpful responses.

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Answer 5

Shane Ross

Level 8

43,110 points

Nov 15, 2012 3:54 PM in response to Community User

Don't convert anything. What you have is fine, and will look great.

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