Strange "jerkiness" in HBO's "Rome" 28 Aug at DVinfo.net

Steve House · August 29th, 2005, 10:58 AM

Did anyone else notice the strange appearance of the on-screen motion in the broadcast of HBO's production of "Rome" as shown Sunday night the 28th? There was a lack of fluidity and pixilation in the image reminiscent on old silent movies being projected at sound speed, though not quite as pronounced. I notice on the credits that the program is an EU/BBC production and appears to have been shot in Italy. I wonder if the effect is the result of shooting in 25fps PAL and converting to 29.97 fps NTSC for North American release. Whatever the reason, it's very distracting and difficult to watch.

Leigh Hanlon · September 10th, 2005, 01:36 PM

Is this that same effect used in "Gladiator" when they reduce the shutter opening to sort of "strobe" the motion? If so, it's apparently easy to duplicate digitally and is cropping up all over the place. I saw it last night during a kendo-swordfighting style fight scene in "Stargate: SG-1."

Steve House · September 11th, 2005, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leigh Hanlon

Is this that same effect used in "Gladiator" when they reduce the shutter opening to sort of "strobe" the motion? If so, it's apparently easy to duplicate digitally and is cropping up all over the place. I saw it last night during a kendo-swordfighting style fight scene in "Stargate: SG-1."

It wasn't pronounced enough or related to the scene to appear to be an intentional effect. It didn't look artistic or dramatic or contrribute to the story, it just looked weird.

Marius Luessi · September 11th, 2005, 08:39 AM

Hey. I think you may be correct with your "PAL to NTSC conversion" idea. Although I haven't seen the footage you are referring to, if you watch BBC America (IIRC) you will find that their good programs are converted very well. But their cheapo productions that they just throw together and need to put on quickly suffer from poor PAL to NTSC conversion.

Cheers,
Marius
(who uses PAL equipment in Pennsylvania)

August 29th, 2005, 10:58 AM	#1
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	Strange "jerkiness" in HBO's "Rome" 28 Aug Did anyone else notice the strange appearance of the on-screen motion in the broadcast of HBO's production of "Rome" as shown Sunday night the 28th? There was a lack of fluidity and pixilation in the image reminiscent on old silent movies being projected at sound speed, though not quite as pronounced. I notice on the credits that the program is an EU/BBC production and appears to have been shot in Italy. I wonder if the effect is the result of shooting in 25fps PAL and converting to 29.97 fps NTSC for North American release. Whatever the reason, it's very distracting and difficult to watch.

September 10th, 2005, 01:36 PM	#2
Leigh Hanlon Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chicago, USA Posts: 64	Is this that same effect used in "Gladiator" when they reduce the shutter opening to sort of "strobe" the motion? If so, it's apparently easy to duplicate digitally and is cropping up all over the place. I saw it last night during a kendo-swordfighting style fight scene in "Stargate: SG-1." __________________ Leigh Hanlon \| Chicago, USA GL2 - Final Cut Studio

September 11th, 2005, 08:39 AM	#4
Marius Luessi Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 46	Hey. I think you may be correct with your "PAL to NTSC conversion" idea. Although I haven't seen the footage you are referring to, if you watch BBC America (IIRC) you will find that their good programs are converted very well. But their cheapo productions that they just throw together and need to put on quickly suffer from poor PAL to NTSC conversion. Cheers, Marius (who uses PAL equipment in Pennsylvania)