Flickering Text in Final Cut at DVinfo.net

Derek Elkins · March 3rd, 2007, 12:09 PM

I'm trying to do some work with titles in Final Cut and I'm having a really bad problem with the text flickering. This is especially obvious when I have white text over a black background. I've also tried putting the text together in Photoshop and then importing into FCP, but it still doesn't seem to clear up the problem.

Any recommendations?

Jonathan Jones · March 3rd, 2007, 01:46 PM

Looks like there is another thread of similar quandry farther down:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=87886

It might have some helpful info.

If memory serves, I think you might find some info on this in the FCP Help.

You may have to play around a little bit with the fonts and sizes as the edge detail will demonstrate varied performance with the flicker problem. Since it is also white text on back background, you probably want to begin by bringing your white level down to about 91 percent. That should be a blg help.

-Jon

Bill Davis · March 3rd, 2007, 02:36 PM

Sounds like typical interlace artifacts.

Whenever you map a progressive signal like computer output to an interlaced medium like TV, the boundry between light/dark or two colors can fall right between the natural interlace lines and the kind of flickering it sounds like you're talking about can occur.

Possible solutions...

Change the font size. Change the font itself. Apply an edge treatment to the type like a drop or cast shadow. Change the amount of contrast between the type and it's background by altering the background or the type. "Blur" the type using a guassian or other blur filter (the type will become less legible, but the flicker will typically stop)

The very best way is to apply anti-aliasing to the type edges.

But none of those will do you any good if the type is simply too small to span enough scanning lines to show the letter form on screen clearly.

Bottom line: Small type on a TV screen is nearly impossible to do well - SD TV is just too low rez a medium.

Good luck.

William Hohauser · March 3rd, 2007, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Elkins

I'm trying to do some work with titles in Final Cut and I'm having a really bad problem with the text flickering. This is especially obvious when I have white text over a black background. I've also tried putting the text together in Photoshop and then importing into FCP, but it still doesn't seem to clear up the problem.

Any recommendations?

Do not move the text around the screen by draging the entire frame in the canvas window! That will induce flicker.

Use the crosshairs in the text control tab. For whatever reason that reduces text flickering with FCP generated text. Photoshop graphics should be moved in Photoshop.

March 3rd, 2007, 12:09 PM	#1
Derek Elkins New Boot Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 16	Flickering Text in Final Cut I'm trying to do some work with titles in Final Cut and I'm having a really bad problem with the text flickering. This is especially obvious when I have white text over a black background. I've also tried putting the text together in Photoshop and then importing into FCP, but it still doesn't seem to clear up the problem. Any recommendations?

March 3rd, 2007, 01:46 PM	#2
Jonathan Jones Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Healdsburg, California Posts: 1,138	Looks like there is another thread of similar quandry farther down: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=87886 It might have some helpful info. If memory serves, I think you might find some info on this in the FCP Help. You may have to play around a little bit with the fonts and sizes as the edge detail will demonstrate varied performance with the flicker problem. Since it is also white text on back background, you probably want to begin by bringing your white level down to about 91 percent. That should be a blg help. -Jon __________________ "Are we to go on record, sir, with our assertion that the 'pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, and green clovers' are, in point of fact', magically delicious?" - Walter Hollarhan before the House Subcommittee on Integrity in Advertising - May, 1974

March 3rd, 2007, 02:36 PM	#3
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Sounds like typical interlace artifacts. Whenever you map a progressive signal like computer output to an interlaced medium like TV, the boundry between light/dark or two colors can fall right between the natural interlace lines and the kind of flickering it sounds like you're talking about can occur. Possible solutions... Change the font size. Change the font itself. Apply an edge treatment to the type like a drop or cast shadow. Change the amount of contrast between the type and it's background by altering the background or the type. "Blur" the type using a guassian or other blur filter (the type will become less legible, but the flicker will typically stop) The very best way is to apply anti-aliasing to the type edges. But none of those will do you any good if the type is simply too small to span enough scanning lines to show the letter form on screen clearly. Bottom line: Small type on a TV screen is nearly impossible to do well - SD TV is just too low rez a medium. Good luck.