Downconvert from 1080 to 4:3 SD with pull-down looks awful

Source: 1080 @ 23.976 10 bit uncompressed (wiretap)
Output: letterboxed 720 x 480 @ 29.97 via 3:2 pull-down, H.264 codec

The pull-down is being inserted by the frame rate filter and the cadence looks correct. However, the frames that don't have pull-down have nasty jaggies in them, almost like they are interlaced (but they should be progressive, like the source). I've tried it with H.264, DV and DVCPRO 50 codecs so I don't think the codec is the problem.

I am basing my settings from the factory "StdConv 24p to NTSC TeleCine" setting and no matter what I fiddle with it seems to keep turning out the way I described. If you look at the embedded image, the left side is what I'm getting and the right side is what I *should* be getting (the right side was taken from a different Episode encode and is actually slightly scaled up for this comparison). Looks like the JPEG applied to the embedded image is pretty heavy, but the problem I'm describing is very easily seen along the edges of the text and the shirt edges.

I've tried turning on the lowpass scaling filter but it doesn't seem to help. Again, I've tried just using the StdConv 24p to NTSC TeleCine preset as-is and get these results so what am I misunderstanding here?

-Matt

Episode v. 6.3.

Frame Rate filter
Filter mode: Fixed Frame Rate
Framerate Preset: Automatic
New Framerate: 29.97

These are settings unchanged from the factory sample setting I mentioned. I've also tried setting the Framerate Preset to "Telecine 23.976->29.97" without any difference in the output. I assume this is what the "Automatic" setting is picking based on my source material and desired framerate as that is exactly what I want.

-Matt

I think when you set the Interlace Handling to Progressive you probably get frame doubled on output, right?
For me, in this workflow I had no problem with execution order of Episode's filter list? In both cases the result was the same.

1). source > scale/crop > insert pull-down (fielded frames) > output codec

2).source >insert pull-down (fielded frames)>scale/crop > output codec

http://www.HardingTestOnline.com

Support just passed along information from the Engineering dept. that what I want isn't possible. Their workaround is to create an intermediate file that is scaled down, then run that file through to add pull-down.

For a professional product (performing a task pros do routinely) this is supremely disappointing to hear.

One day, I hope to use Episode without compromise/workarounds.

-Matt

PS--The filter order is not changeable, although the case remains open. If enough people complain, perhaps this will get moved up the list of to-dos.

OK,
And you are sure that your video on the output (playing back in quicktime) shows 29,97 fps (cmd+i), rigt?
I am asking, because I tried to do exatly what you. During first conversion I achived similar results as you -then when I was playing back in quicktime it showed me 14fps. Later when I changed a setting everything was fine. Maybe it's en episode bug?

Trying more ;)

http://www.HardingTestOnline.com