Using ex footage in an SD show

Adam Reuter · September 20th, 2008, 12:06 AM

[QUOTE=Brian Cassar;935539]All I can say is that when I view the footage (SD DV) from my DSR-300 DVCAM camcorder on a 40 inch Bravia HD-LCD (from 5 feet away), the picture is absolutely fantastic (OK granted not as good as a CRT but still very good) but when I view the HD-SD downconverted EX3 footage from the clip browser or the Axio it is absolute trash - everything is out of focus and blurred. There is absolutely no comparision and yet it is the same TV/monitor.

It is also true that when I showed the downconverted EX3 footage to "the man in the street" they couldn't find anything wrong! But I know that the loss in quality is phenomenal and I'm sure that there will be clients at a later stage that will complain of lack of quality.
QUOTE]

I think you're absolutely right. I am a BIG stickler for image quality. In high definition the EX1 is phenomenal. The colors are great, wide shots are sharp...no complaints.

All the software solutions I've tried (Canopus Procoder, Sony Clip Browser, Premiere CS3, Sony Vegas, Final Cut Pro 6) do not look as good as 16:9 or 4:3 standard def originated footage (I'm looking at JVC DV5000, Panasonic DVX100 and Canon XL-2) video. I'd be really curious for someone to post a clip (even if it's :15 or so) of downconverted EX1 footage from one of the hardware solutions (AJA, Blackmagic Design, etc.). 4:3 center crop and 16:9 squeeze! Please!

Jon Sands · September 20th, 2008, 01:14 AM

Use avisynth with a script similar to the following:

AVISource("this.avi")
Spline36Resize(648, 365)

get the premiere avs plugin, drop that avs script file into a standard dv premiere project, and export to dvd.

the spline36 algorithm in avisynth is probably the best out there, especially for downrezzing

William Urschel · September 21st, 2008, 08:43 PM

Mr. Sands, or anyone? What's it all about Alfie? That last post? Greek to me. If you have a solution that really works, I and hundreds of others would appreciate some implementation details. Please?

Brian Cassar · September 21st, 2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Sands

Use avisynth with a script similar to the following:

AVISource("this.avi")
Spline36Resize(648, 365)

get the premiere avs plugin, drop that avs script file into a standard dv premiere project, and export to dvd.

the spline36 algorithm in avisynth is probably the best out there, especially for downrezzing

I must say I agree with William. I've heard about avisynth but could not make heads and tails about it. The reply above is even more confusing - I admit I did not understand a word of it.

Am I asking too much if someone can be so kind and explain to me (and possibly others) a proper step by step procedure on how to use avisynth for premiere.

Thanks!

Jon Sands · September 21st, 2008, 10:43 PM

Ill make a step by step post in about 20 minutes, working on a ridiculous school paper.

Jon Sands · September 22nd, 2008, 12:34 AM

getting much sharper SD results from your HD footage - The Digital Video Information Network

September 20th, 2008, 12:06 AM	#16
Adam Reuter Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 234	[QUOTE=Brian Cassar;935539]All I can say is that when I view the footage (SD DV) from my DSR-300 DVCAM camcorder on a 40 inch Bravia HD-LCD (from 5 feet away), the picture is absolutely fantastic (OK granted not as good as a CRT but still very good) but when I view the HD-SD downconverted EX3 footage from the clip browser or the Axio it is absolute trash - everything is out of focus and blurred. There is absolutely no comparision and yet it is the same TV/monitor. It is also true that when I showed the downconverted EX3 footage to "the man in the street" they couldn't find anything wrong! But I know that the loss in quality is phenomenal and I'm sure that there will be clients at a later stage that will complain of lack of quality. QUOTE] I think you're absolutely right. I am a BIG stickler for image quality. In high definition the EX1 is phenomenal. The colors are great, wide shots are sharp...no complaints. All the software solutions I've tried (Canopus Procoder, Sony Clip Browser, Premiere CS3, Sony Vegas, Final Cut Pro 6) do not look as good as 16:9 or 4:3 standard def originated footage (I'm looking at JVC DV5000, Panasonic DVX100 and Canon XL-2) video. I'd be really curious for someone to post a clip (even if it's :15 or so) of downconverted EX1 footage from one of the hardware solutions (AJA, Blackmagic Design, etc.). 4:3 center crop and 16:9 squeeze! Please!

September 20th, 2008, 01:14 AM	#17
Jon Sands Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 107	Use avisynth with a script similar to the following: AVISource("this.avi") Spline36Resize(648, 365) get the premiere avs plugin, drop that avs script file into a standard dv premiere project, and export to dvd. the spline36 algorithm in avisynth is probably the best out there, especially for downrezzing

September 21st, 2008, 08:43 PM	#18
William Urschel Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bee Cave, Texas Posts: 151	Mr. Sands, or anyone? What's it all about Alfie? That last post? Greek to me. If you have a solution that really works, I and hundreds of others would appreciate some implementation details. Please?

September 21st, 2008, 10:43 PM	#20
Jon Sands Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 107	Ill make a step by step post in about 20 minutes, working on a ridiculous school paper.

September 22nd, 2008, 12:34 AM	#21
Jon Sands Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 107	getting much sharper SD results from your HD footage - The Digital Video Information Network