Preparing Video for Film Transfer at DVinfo.net

Derrick Begin · May 14th, 2003, 07:12 AM

I was looking the "Swiss Effects" site and they stated that the Frame Mode on the XL1 is to be avoided if you are going to transfer to film. I own the XL1S.

I am in pre-production on a full length feature that possibly will be transferred when completed. I want that option regardless of whether it is or isn't.

Has anybody using the XL1S (16x9) frame mode transferred their work to 35mm/16mm film? What settings did you use?

Thanks.

Cheers!

Akos Szemenyei · May 14th, 2003, 07:30 AM

You should talk to these guys directly since they transfer from DV to film.

http://www.dvfilm.com/index.htm

Don Donatello · May 18th, 2003, 01:31 PM

if PAL frame mode -you'll be OK .. if NTSC frame mode ?? well if you have lots of camera/subject movement !!! IMO if you have NTSC camera shoot interlace !!!

there was a film that played at sundance and was released by Next Wave films & lot 47 called "SOME BODY " ... shot on 2 NTSC Xl1's in frame mode .. transferred to 35mm

http://www.nextwavefilms.com/somebody/#images

i saw it at local theater
where ever there was action and /or camera movement there was lots of interlace artifacts. fast action was difficult to watch ... if subject wasn't moving it was fine ... over all i found it DIFFICULT to view as there was lots of camera/subject movement ...

i 've seen 60i transferred and have no problem viewing ...

if you want to see what NTSC frame mode will sort of look like ...
shoot a clip .. if you have Vegas set up project as 24fps and drop your 30fps frame mode on time line and vegas will play it back at 24fps - ( other NLE's should be able to do this) ...

Derrick Begin · May 19th, 2003, 07:34 AM

Don,

Thanks for the response. That is exactly what I am trying to avoid. Labor intensive viewing experience.

I have an XL1S--NTSC and looks like I'll be shoot i60 and deinterlacing the footage after shooting.

The post houses said that FRAME-MODE does not transfer to film well at all. They said costs to do that would go up to reduce the artifacts introduced.

**THEY being Swiss Effects/DVFilm/DuArt

I really love frame mode, but it does not provide me with the option for a solid 35mm/16mm transfer.

I feel a bit screwed over because I fell for the frame-mode hook line and sinker and now I can't use it. Interchangeable media would be nice across the platforms.

Don Donatello · May 19th, 2003, 10:47 AM

the Xl 1 does provide you with a good option = 60i ... NTSC 60i transfers are right up there with PAL these days ..

shoot 60 i and edit ..do not deinterlace it .. keep it straight 60i ...

here's a place that specializes in NTSC to FILM ( they did transfer for "the FAST runner") they have info posted about camera's, settings etc

http://www.digitalfilmgroup.net/

Derrick Begin · May 19th, 2003, 10:58 AM

Don,

Your the man! I was thinking about de-interlacing in AfterEffects, if need be.

The director for the project I am currently working on wasn't aware of all the preparation and questions prior to shooting in miniDV. I suggested that we shoot in 60i because of the option to film transfer. He agreed...

Thanks for your input. Its been taking a lot of my time up.

Cheers!

Derrick

Derrick Begin · May 19th, 2003, 11:19 AM

Post was immensely valuable and helpful.

Its a GO...

1. Shoot 60i - - NTSC, 16x9 Mode
2. Edit Avid Xpress DV (Pro) - - Maintaining 16x9 Mode
3. Final Edited DV (60i, 16x9 Mode) - - To Film Transfer House

I'm going to run some tests.

Thanks Again Don!

The beers are on me!

Cheers!

May 14th, 2003, 07:12 AM	#1
Derrick Begin Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 329	Preparing Video for Film Transfer I was looking the "Swiss Effects" site and they stated that the Frame Mode on the XL1 is to be avoided if you are going to transfer to film. I own the XL1S. I am in pre-production on a full length feature that possibly will be transferred when completed. I want that option regardless of whether it is or isn't. Has anybody using the XL1S (16x9) frame mode transferred their work to 35mm/16mm film? What settings did you use? Thanks. Cheers!

May 14th, 2003, 07:30 AM	#2
Akos Szemenyei Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Saitama, Japan Posts: 111	You should talk to these guys directly since they transfer from DV to film. http://www.dvfilm.com/index.htm

May 18th, 2003, 01:31 PM	#3
Don Donatello Hawaiian Shirt Mogul Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: northern cailfornia Posts: 1,261	if PAL frame mode -you'll be OK .. if NTSC frame mode ?? well if you have lots of camera/subject movement !!! IMO if you have NTSC camera shoot interlace !!! there was a film that played at sundance and was released by Next Wave films & lot 47 called "SOME BODY " ... shot on 2 NTSC Xl1's in frame mode .. transferred to 35mm http://www.nextwavefilms.com/somebody/#images i saw it at local theater where ever there was action and /or camera movement there was lots of interlace artifacts. fast action was difficult to watch ... if subject wasn't moving it was fine ... over all i found it DIFFICULT to view as there was lots of camera/subject movement ... i 've seen 60i transferred and have no problem viewing ... if you want to see what NTSC frame mode will sort of look like ... shoot a clip .. if you have Vegas set up project as 24fps and drop your 30fps frame mode on time line and vegas will play it back at 24fps - ( other NLE's should be able to do this) ...

May 19th, 2003, 07:34 AM	#4
Derrick Begin Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 329	Don, Thanks for the response. That is exactly what I am trying to avoid. Labor intensive viewing experience. I have an XL1S--NTSC and looks like I'll be shoot i60 and deinterlacing the footage after shooting. The post houses said that FRAME-MODE does not transfer to film well at all. They said costs to do that would go up to reduce the artifacts introduced. **THEY being Swiss Effects/DVFilm/DuArt I really love frame mode, but it does not provide me with the option for a solid 35mm/16mm transfer. I feel a bit screwed over because I fell for the frame-mode hook line and sinker and now I can't use it. Interchangeable media would be nice across the platforms.

May 19th, 2003, 10:47 AM	#5
Don Donatello Hawaiian Shirt Mogul Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: northern cailfornia Posts: 1,261	the Xl 1 does provide you with a good option = 60i ... NTSC 60i transfers are right up there with PAL these days .. shoot 60 i and edit ..do not deinterlace it .. keep it straight 60i ... here's a place that specializes in NTSC to FILM ( they did transfer for "the FAST runner") they have info posted about camera's, settings etc http://www.digitalfilmgroup.net/

May 19th, 2003, 10:58 AM	#6
Derrick Begin Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 329	Don, Your the man! I was thinking about de-interlacing in AfterEffects, if need be. The director for the project I am currently working on wasn't aware of all the preparation and questions prior to shooting in miniDV. I suggested that we shoot in 60i because of the option to film transfer. He agreed... Thanks for your input. Its been taking a lot of my time up. Cheers! Derrick

May 19th, 2003, 11:19 AM	#7
Derrick Begin Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 329	Post was immensely valuable and helpful. Its a GO... 1. Shoot 60i - - NTSC, 16x9 Mode 2. Edit Avid Xpress DV (Pro) - - Maintaining 16x9 Mode 3. Final Edited DV (60i, 16x9 Mode) - - To Film Transfer House I'm going to run some tests. Thanks Again Don! The beers are on me! Cheers!