HD to EDIT to SD... or HD to SD then EDIT ?? at DVinfo.net

Tom Blizzard · November 30th, 2010, 02:32 PM

I'm rather new to CS4 and I 'm finally going to HD.
Is there a set rule, as far a quality is concerned, that says I should edit in HD and then export the whole project to SD for DVD?? Or since I have an excellent HD toSD converter, can I just convert my HD and do all my editing in SD ?? Which is generally considered the best option?
Thanks

Mike McCarthy · November 30th, 2010, 05:50 PM

Editing in HD will give you the option of easily outputing HD versions in the future if the need arises. If your editing system can handle it, I would highly recommend editing in HD. Fewer issues with interlacing nd pixel aspect ration, especially for outputs being scaled for the web. SD deliverable will always have those issues to contend with, no matter what format you edit in.

Peter Manojlovic · November 30th, 2010, 06:23 PM

Personally, i would edit in HD, but you haven't indicated your source material.

If your HD footage is shot progressive, then CS4 does a fine job of rescaling for SD output..

If the HD footage is interlaced, then you're going to have a bit of trouble doing downconverts..
There is no magic button...

But like Mike says....At least you'll have everything in HD for future proofing..
Before you know it, BluRay will be the standard.

What is this excellent HD to SD converter that you have?

Tom Blizzard · December 1st, 2010, 08:12 AM

Thanks Mike and Peter........ It always helps to get good suggestions with logical explanations..

Peter, Your note about shooting HD progressive helps too. Everything I've shot so far has been interlaced.
Glad to know CS4 does a better job with progressive. I'll try that for sure.
Also, to answer your question, I've found TMPG Enc 4.0 Express seems to be noticably better than all the other's I've tried. Of course it's more expensive, but seems to be worth it.

Mike McCarthy · December 1st, 2010, 02:33 PM

After Effects can scale interlace ffootage properly, but I have not gotten as good of a result with Premiere/AME. It may have improved in CS5, or maybe i don't have the settings right, but I have always gone to AE for maximum interlacing and pulldown quality.

Robert Young · December 1st, 2010, 06:36 PM

I would strongly recommend editing in HD.
In the early HD days I did several big projects shot in HD, edited in SD, delivered in SD.
Now, I really regret not having HD masters of the final cuts.
If you edit in SD, there is no easy way to go back.If you have an HD master, you can go anywhere you'll ever need to with it.
It's "future proofed"

November 30th, 2010, 02:32 PM	#1
Tom Blizzard Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: West Rosemary Beach, Florida Posts: 199	HD to EDIT to SD... or HD to SD then EDIT ?? I'm rather new to CS4 and I 'm finally going to HD. Is there a set rule, as far a quality is concerned, that says I should edit in HD and then export the whole project to SD for DVD?? Or since I have an excellent HD toSD converter, can I just convert my HD and do all my editing in SD ?? Which is generally considered the best option? Thanks

November 30th, 2010, 05:50 PM	#2
Mike McCarthy Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 517	Editing in HD will give you the option of easily outputing HD versions in the future if the need arises. If your editing system can handle it, I would highly recommend editing in HD. Fewer issues with interlacing nd pixel aspect ration, especially for outputs being scaled for the web. SD deliverable will always have those issues to contend with, no matter what format you edit in. __________________ For more information on these topics, check out my tech website at www.hd4pc.com

December 1st, 2010, 02:33 PM	#5
Mike McCarthy Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 517	After Effects can scale interlace ffootage properly, but I have not gotten as good of a result with Premiere/AME. It may have improved in CS5, or maybe i don't have the settings right, but I have always gone to AE for maximum interlacing and pulldown quality. __________________ For more information on these topics, check out my tech website at www.hd4pc.com

December 1st, 2010, 06:36 PM	#6
Robert Young Trustee Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Coronado Island Posts: 1,472	I would strongly recommend editing in HD. In the early HD days I did several big projects shot in HD, edited in SD, delivered in SD. Now, I really regret not having HD masters of the final cuts. If you edit in SD, there is no easy way to go back.If you have an HD master, you can go anywhere you'll ever need to with it. It's "future proofed" __________________ Bob

November 30th, 2010, 06:23 PM	#3
Peter Manojlovic Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hamilton Ontario Posts: 769	Personally, i would edit in HD, but you haven't indicated your source material. If your HD footage is shot progressive, then CS4 does a fine job of rescaling for SD output.. If the HD footage is interlaced, then you're going to have a bit of trouble doing downconverts.. There is no magic button... But like Mike says....At least you'll have everything in HD for future proofing.. Before you know it, BluRay will be the standard. What is this excellent HD to SD converter that you have?

December 1st, 2010, 08:12 AM	#4
Tom Blizzard Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: West Rosemary Beach, Florida Posts: 199	Thanks Mike and Peter........ It always helps to get good suggestions with logical explanations.. Peter, Your note about shooting HD progressive helps too. Everything I've shot so far has been interlaced. Glad to know CS4 does a better job with progressive. I'll try that for sure. Also, to answer your question, I've found TMPG Enc 4.0 Express seems to be noticably better than all the other's I've tried. Of course it's more expensive, but seems to be worth it.