EX3 - disgusted how the SD result looks like

[Romigo]

I have EX3 camera and Im disgusted how the SD result looks like on DVD (pal)

The fotage is taken in HQ 1080/50i
so let me count:
each field has 540 lines ( top fild - 540, bottom -540 )
in fact I can say that there is THRUE CLEAR HQ 540/50p ( 540 lines in 50p. )

The conversion to PAL should be clear as a bell.

How it is that is so bad.
There is awfull interline twitter or jagged lines.
When I use other methods (Sony softwere or Antons VD method ) footage looks soapy.
My 10 years old SD camera DSR-150 gives better picture.

I spend hundreds hours by testing.
I tried even to leave only 540 lines and fill the rest 36 lines by black In layout tool.
That meens Each line is reflects in single line. That shouldnt be change in quality. Nothing helps.

And its wired that this issue doesnt happen when I convet Z1 HDV footage.

Can anybody explain me that ?????
Isnt there a mistake in the way how Edius is handling the footage?
Or I made a mistake is some settings of camera or Edius?

Thanks Roman

[mattie]

When you resize interlaced video it must be first deinterlaced (in software) then re-interlaced at the lower frame size. Also most software 'bin' pixels as opposed to resampling to reduce frame size - this will introduce the jagged stair steps on high contrast diagonals. (check out VDSLR videos for classic examples of pixel binning)

The sharper the origial image - the worse the artifacting will be! hence EX3 is worse than lower rez cameras.

This deinterlacing and re-interlacing WILL introduce artifacts. There are variouis ways to improve matters

If you KNOW the final output will be SD then shoot in 1280x720p50(60) since this is progressive any frame resizing will only interlace the final output. If you chose a 'fine' qulaity setting for the final file then Edius will take more time over the frame resizing and introcude much less artifacting due to pixel binning.

So in short - shoot in 720p mode and SD footage will look much cleaner

[Jerry]

There isn't an NLE on the market that can make the conversion look good.
Most of us here use Virtual Dub to get our master SD conversion and then encode to whatever from there.
Do a search on the forum because this has been discussed over and over and over.....


And its wired that this issue doesnt happen when I convet Z1 HDV footage.
The higher the quality the better the chance of stairsteps. HDV footage does not have the edge quality,
or for that matter overall quality, of the EX3.

[tony]

Most of us here use Virtual Dub to get our master SD conversion and then encode to whatever from there.
Do a search on the forum because this has been discussed over and over and over.....

I have an EX3 and i use Antons method with great success.

http://www.videoproductions.com.au/html/virtualdub-hd-sd.html

[Bassman]

Romingo,

Here is my method, it works best with 720p footage. Anton's method is for great interlaced footage.

My method:

- I Shoot & edit in 720p60 on a 720p60 timeline
- Export a Canopus HQ file with a downconversion to SD but use the 59.94p setting from the list. This keeps the file progressive but in standard def. (I don't know if there is a 50p setting in the conversion drop down list)
- Open a new 16:9 SD DVD project file and place the SD Progessive Canopus HQ file on the timeline.
- Render out your Mpeg-2 file

After testing all of the methods, this gives me the best detail, edges and ease of use. I also add some sharpening and a little more color saturation to the footage on the HD timeline before I render out the Canopus HQ file.

Do not add sharpening on the SD timeline as your titles and any graphics with movement will shimmer.

I know it is frustrating. Two steps forward and I don't know how many back with regards to DVD (which is not going away)!

[Alter Ego]

Bassman:

Any tips or suggestions for 720P 23.976 projects? I'm starting to gather info and read all the threads on the HD to SD processes, including Antons method. I am nearing completion of a project, and I will need to take a 720 24P down to SD for DVD authoring.

[STORMDAVE]

The Virtual Dub method doesn't take that long...extra steps, I agree, but it works.

[Bassman]

Sorry, I don't use 24p very often and I do not see a 24p for SD HQ file setting.

Virtual dub might be your best bet. It is free. Just do some testing to find out what settings look best. I just liek staying within Edius because the color and contrast remain consitent. Some of the compression settings in Virtaul dub alter the blacks and the color a bit in my experience.

[Romigo]

I cant set

- I Shoot & edit in 720p60 on a 720p60 timeline
-!

It meens that if I could set timeline in to 1920x1080 50p (50 Hz 50/1)
Progresive timeline - every single filld will be handled itself

The result should be prefect ???

Why I cant set 1920x1080 50p (50 Hz 50/1) ???

[mattie]

that frame SIZE and RATE is not a standard for broadcast or end distribution (DVD or Bluray) and hence not many NLE's currently support it properly

I have the new panasonic TM700 camera which shoots in that mode and currently I edit the files on a 1920x1280 25p timeline as this maintains the res and allows for smooth slo-mo