Converting HQ to Canopus DV

[Philip]

I have a project that I want to start uploading but I haven't found out yet if they are going to purchase the HD edit. I don't want to upload and edit in HQ if I can do it in SD straight from the camera.

I was thinking of just uploading in HQ now and converting to Canopus DV. I discovered that I can use batch export to export to a Canopus HQ SD file with a high bit rate and a low bit rate. How do these two file types compare in quality to a regular Canopus DV file captured from the camera. Are they the same?

[STORMDAVE]

Canopus HQ files in SD resolutions have better quality than DV...and the data rate is variable, compared to DV's 25mbit/sec. HQ is 4:2:2 space and DV is 4:1:1. If your source is DV then you gain nothing if you convert DV to HQ. I noticed that 720x480 HQ files have a bit lower datarates than the DV codec.

Where were your HQ files from?

[Philip]

My HQ files were from a capture from my HDV cam. They were imported as part of an HD project I just wrapped up. I was using them for my test.

So if I imported as HQ and then used batch convert to down rez to HQ SD I would end up with a better quality file than a Canopus DV file with an overall lower bit rate....? Is that correct?

Unfortunately Scenalyzer won't read a Canopus HQ SD file. Too bad...it makes cataloging so much easier.

[GrassValley_KH]

As Dave's already said, HQ SD downconverts can yield better quality than Canopus DV, at the cost of two things:

1. Slightly larger filesizes than that of Canopus DV
2. Dependancy on the HQ codec's presence in any edit situation, and indeed, the ability to quickly print back to tape if required (HQ is a non-tape format)

[Bluetongue]

Hi Philip
I do this regularly. Edit in HDV and then output first to DVD in wide screen through Procoder 3 or it can be done with Procoder Express.
I then output in Canopus HQ AVI then bring this into an SD project in 4:3 and use the "Layout" function to crop the left and right edges.
Output can then be straight to the camera for tape, no rendering required, or an AVI file.
The reason for going to 4:3 and DV is this is the format required by community TV in Australia, lets hope they soon go digital and widescreen.
It is far better to edit everything in HDV and then down code to SD as the quality remains first class.
Hope this helps your delema
Regards Barry

[Philip]

Hi Philip
I do this regularly. Edit in HDV and then output first to DVD in wide screen through Procoder 3 or it can be done with Procoder Express.
I then output in Canopus HQ AVI then bring this into an SD project in 4:3 and use the "Layout" function to crop the left and right edges.
Output can then be straight to the camera for tape, no rendering required, or an AVI file.
........

It is far better to edit everything in HDV and then down code to SD as the quality remains first class.
Hope this helps your delema
Regards Barry

I know it is better quality to start in HDV or HQ and downconvert. Problem is I am ready to upload my next project and I don't know if the customer wants to pay for a HD edit workflow. If they want HD then they pay me a small fee to edit that way. If they don't want to pay my upgrade fee (and it is very small) then why should I spend all the extra time editing in HQ.

My idea was to upload a few tapes of longer segments, like the wedding ceremony, and if she doesn't order the HD upgrade just convert them to HQ SD later. I can let the convert run overnight if it is going to take awhile. Once I hear from her I can either continue uploading in HQ or start uploading in SD.

[STORMDAVE]

By upload you mean capture, right?

If you already captured into Canopus HQ (HD) then I think it would be better to let the camcorder downconvert to DV for you (if it does it) in the first place...much easier on your HD space.

[AJL14]

Philip,
The main reason for editing in HQ and not DV, is that the final product conversion is a better looking one. If your client doesn't particularly care about the final quality, then whatever is easier and cheaper is probably the way to go. But the extra couple of bucks they will spend with you to edit in HQ will definitely be visible on the DVD transfer. Call it a "sales tool" or a "quality preference", spending 5% or 10% more to get the best quality certainly seems like the most logical decision after they've already spent X dollars to obtain the original video.
Good luck,
Alan

[pehrbau]

This might be a bit beside the diskussion - but anyway:

I am working with a project that will be about 50 minutes. I edit in HD and have all source material in HDV from XH A1. When all is finished it will be down converted to DVD next year but will later - when the time is ripe here in Sweden - be burned to blueray.

I plan to save the edited HD version as TS on tape with the edited source audio but with no commentary or music.

The option for long time saving is to keep it on one of my discs.

Has anybody any views on this?

[Bluetongue]

when the time is ripe here in Sweden - be burned to blueray.

I plan to save the edited HD version as TS on tape with the edited source audio but with no commentary or music.

I have the same philosophy, all my video's are on DVD but a fully edited version, same as on the DVD is stored on HDV tape plus TWO external USB drives in Native HDV m2t file, one drive is in a DVICO HD Player, all ready, for when Blueray or HD DVD becomes a feasable option. At the moment a burnt Blueray disk will not play on any of the players available in Aust other than a Playstation 3 and any possible clients think this is a joke.
Regards Barry

[JTE48]

Hi Philip
I do this regularly. Edit in HDV and then output first to DVD in wide screen through Procoder 3 or it can be done with Procoder Express.
I then output in Canopus HQ AVI then bring this into an SD project in 4:3 and use the "Layout" function to crop the left and right edges.

Barry, how are you applying the layout tool? I can only get it to work on individual clips on the timeline. If I make a 1 file sequence of the timeline the layout tool doesn't seem to convert to 4:3 for me. I change the output settings to SD prior to using the layout tool. Thanks!

[Imagine Video]

This is no different in the UK The makers of the Blue-ray disc players also neglected to add the -R playing function to the first production runs of the product.............poor show



I am also pondering what to do..........Capture in EDIUS using HDV with the HQ codec EDIT and then Make SD DVD.


Can someone explain in a little more detail

I have captured via EDIUS HDV IIRC its 1440 x 720 50i I am in a little doubt here (going from memory)

Completed the project and I now want to encode to an SD DVD for client NOW

BUT

Would like to encode for HD DVD and then save the file for a blueray / hd dvd

also what DVD authoring doftware are you using?

Cath

[Bluetongue]

Barry, how are you applying the layout tool? I can only get it to work on individual clips on the timeline. If I make a 1 file sequence of the timeline the layout tool doesn't seem to convert to 4:3 for me. I change the output settings to SD prior to using the layout tool. Thanks!

I output a Conopus HQ AVI file and then bring it back into another project set to 4:3, you are quite right a sequence will not respond to the layout tool.
I sometimes have to cut the AVI at clips to readjust the layout for best composition in 4:3, can be difficult if it is across a transition so I take particular care when editing for transitions around clips that may need adjustment in the final output in 4:3.
Takes bit of disk space but well worth it, hope this helps
Regards Barry

[Bluetongue]

This is no different in the UK The makers of the Blue-ray disc players also neglected to add the -R playing function to the first production runs of the product.............poor show


Would like to encode for HD DVD and then save the file for a blueray / hd dvd

also what DVD authoring software are you using?

Cath

Kath
The info that I came across regarding the players was that Sony pictures had demanded the player manufacturers remove the playback capability to stop Piracy as the first players here did play -R but all subsequent ones will not, except PS3, interesting.

Regarding the encoding for Blueray etc if you have Procoder 3 Mark from on2DVD has posted a complete set of presets for Blueray at the following link on the Procoder forum.

http://ediusforum.grassvalley.com/forum/showthread.php?t=362

At the moment there is little info on what is required for HD DVD and as there are no players, burners or disks it doesn't help, but there are now payers coming out with both Blueray and HD DVD capability that may be a saviour in the future as Sony doesn't seem to have an influence over HD DVD.

From my point of view the best option at the moment is to store the finished video's in HDV and encode when sanity prevails. I can still play the HDV files from a DVICO A5000 HD Hi Def player through a HD projector at seminars and clubs without wasting the camera heads.

Regards Barry