So I got my hands on some HVR-Z1s and recorded 60i footage and devised a method to convert to 24p that I'd be interested in comment on or alternatives:

I convert the MPEG-2 TS using Cineform HD. Then using VirtualDub, I set the framerate to 24p using inverse telecine. I also add a 1-pixel blur. Then I downsize to 1280x720 to account for the lost resolution from the blur.

I then get beautiful, crisp, smooth 24p fotoage.

Would MagicBullet do any better? Thanks for any advice.

Only problem is, you're leaving the ITU 709 colorspace when you use Vdub.
What app are you working in?

AH that's why the colors look a little funky. I thought it was just compression.

I use Vegas. What would be a better app to do the IVTC and 1 pixel blur? I am not as happy with the results in Vegas when I set the project to 24p and use the gaussian blur.

Can I answer that in 2 weeks at NAB? :-)
There is an alternative that we're working with, and you'll love the results, I'm sure.
Vdub is shifting colors, but you should be using blend fields, and downsampling in Vegas. If you aren't using the color correction preset from the VASST site, you're likely still shifting color, because of the fact that Vegas 5 uses the 601 color space, not 709 colorspace. We have a preset for Vegas on the VASST site that accurately compensates for this.

I will play with my settings tonight and try. I might ask you to confirm precisely what settings to use both in project and clip settings, as well as any FX to apply. So I assume I'm *not* using Gaussian blur? I'd much rather work in Vegas since it's much faster to let ConnectHD convert the footage once. I'll also get that colorspace plugin.

It's not a plugin, just a preset. It's free on the VASST site.

Thanks Douglas. :)

Can I trouble you with ohe other question unrelated to this? Maybe this should be in a new thread, but since you're here -

One of my cameramen made the mistake of keeping the camera in auto-control of the gain. His shots don't look nearly as good as the others. Yes, they're brighter, but they're grainy. Would you recommend any method of using Vegas FXs to try to make the footage a little cleaner?

Ok, it's working in Vegas but taking 12 HOURS per hour of footage to convert. That makes no sense! Any ideas to speed this up?

What's working in Vegas? A little more description of what you're doing might help.

Project Properties:

Width: 1280
Height: 720
Field Order: none (prog scan)
Pixel Aspect Ratio: 1 (square)
Frame Rate: 23.976 (IVTC film)
Full Res Rendering Quality: Good
Motion Blur Type: Gaussian
Deinterlace Method: Blend Field


Clip Properties (media tab)
Attributes: 1440x1080x24
Format: Cineform HD Codec v1.2
Frame Rate: 29.970 (NTSC)
Field Order: Upper Field First
Pixel Aspect Ratio: 1.3333
Alpha Channel: None

Renders at about 2 frames per second. vdub does it at 10.

Well, ok, you're right, VDUB just can't do it properly. Unfortunately neither can Vegas.

Douglas, you mentioned a mysterious new solution. Will this be available soon? Can you tell me anything about how much it will cost? I'm tempted to just write my own plugin for Vegas to do IVTC and a 1 pixel radius blur.

Do all these solutions entail downconverting to 720p? It seems like such a waste.

You don't have to down to 720p but you might as well. Once you've 1-pixel blurred, you've lost some resolution already. There's little reaosn to store the video at full 1080p if you don't have a full 1080 lines of res anymore.

Exactly how much res. is lost depends on the software and the type of blur. I still notice resolution differences between 480p and 720p, so it's better than 480p, but exactly what the new _actual_ resolution of the picture is, I don't know. I think 720p is a good approximation.

Besides, my TV displays 720p native as do most DLPs. I think until 1080p becomes a reality, 720p is the ideal format for movies, so I have no problem accepting that res.