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Reporting Back-EX1 render times

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Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Mick Haensler on Dec 11, 2008 at 5:46:44 pm

Hey everyone. The verdict is in and here is the workflow I'm finding works best as far as quality and render times when working with native EX1 footage going to SD DVD in FCP. This method follows very closely to what others have posted. Just want to give credit where it is due. All I have done is simplify the explanation of workflow.

1. Drop footage onto timeline and allow FCP to match the sequence settings to the clip settings
2. Edit project
3. Create an SD sequence
4. Drop the EX sequence onto the new SD timeline, DO NOT COPY AND PASTE, DRAG THE SEQUENCE FROM THE BROWSER ONTO THE NEW SEQUENCE TIMELINE.
5. Export a self contained MOV file in the codec of your choice from FCP
6. Import that MOV file into compressor and compress using whatever settings are appropriate for the project
7. Bring the compressed files into the DVD authoring software of choice, author and burn

The other way I tried was to bring the FCP timeline into Compressor directly, this took significantly more time to render and I wasn't as happy with the quality. There are a lot of variables that anyone doing this needs to consider, such as was the original footage shot in Progressive or Interlaced. I rarely shoot Interlaced any more so I can't comment on that. All I can say is I'm happy with the results of the above workflow. To me, this is the simplest way to guarantee I will be happy with the results and don't end up having to spend the rest of my life rendering.

Mick Haensler
Higher Ground Media



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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Greg Ball on Dec 11, 2008 at 6:17:35 pm

Thanks Mike. Here are a few questions though.

1. Why a self contained QT and not a reference movie?
2. What SD sequence settings did you use?
3. For a 15 minute video would you just use Compressors 90 minute best settings?
4. Why do you shoot progressive not interlaced?



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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Mick Haensler on Dec 11, 2008 at 9:17:58 pm

[Greg Ball] "Thanks Mike. Here are a few questions though.

I'll try to answer them as best I can. I'm not a techie. I'm the kind who finds something that works and sticks to it.

1. Why a self contained QT and not a reference movie?

Several reasons. A: It seems, notice I said seems, to render faster. B: Since I render out in Pro Res HQ, I have a high quality Master for archiving and duplication.

2. What SD sequence settings did you use?

I use regular DV but I render out using Pro Res HQ

3. For a 15 minute video would you just use Compressors 90 minute best settings?

Yes. A lot of older DVD players can't read the high bit rates of a higher quality compression

4. Why do you shoot progressive not interlaced?

It depends on what I'm shooting. For the most part right now I'm shooting mostly interviews that might need to go to the Web. From what I've read, Progressive is the only way to go for Web stuff.

I am not an expert by any stretch. I have only been on Mac since February of this year and have been shooting EX footage since June. I have a huge amount to learn but I know what is working for me and this is it. I hope that helps.

Mick(not Mike, Nick, Mitch, or Mic, it's Mick, like Mick Jagger) :) Haensler
Higher Ground Media





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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Greg Ball on Dec 12, 2008 at 1:40:19 am

Mike, can I ask you why you use regular DV but render out using Pro Res HQ?

Isn't DV much lower quality than your original EX-1 footage?






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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Chris Babbitt on Dec 11, 2008 at 7:52:59 pm

Mick,

I've been experimenting as well, and I can't seem to come up with settings for an SD sequence that work, other than NTSC-DV. Would you mind sharing your sequence settings?

I'm finding, so far, that for 1080i projects, I'm getting the best result just editing the native XDCAM format and then exporting to a Pro-Res SD file and taking that into Compressor. You don't have to render first. For 720p or 1080p projects, I get excellent quality just exporting a Quicktime reference movie of the sequence and taking that into Compressor. It's less steps, but may be slower than your method. I'm not sure.



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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Mick Haensler on Dec 11, 2008 at 9:20:10 pm

[Chris Babbitt] "I've been experimenting as well, and I can't seem to come up with settings for an SD sequence that work, other than NTSC-DV. Would you mind sharing your sequence settings? "

That's what I've been using Chris. It seems to work just fine. Please post if you find a better solution.

Mick Haensler
Higher Ground Media




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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Chris Babbitt on Dec 11, 2008 at 10:01:45 pm

Mick,

Why not just export your original XDCAM sequence to an SD Prores file? It seems to me that you are getting the same result without the extra step of the DV sequence.



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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Mick Haensler on Dec 12, 2008 at 1:22:52 am

[Chris Babbitt] "Why not just export your original XDCAM sequence to an SD Prores file? It seems to me that you are getting the same result without the extra step of the DV sequence."

As I said earlier in the thread, I find something that works and then I stick to it until I or someone else comes up with a better way to do things. May I suggest YOU do a side by side comparison and report back the results.

Mick Haensler
Higher Ground Media





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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Rafael Amador on Dec 12, 2008 at 3:09:22 pm

Hi Chris,
I think that what Mick does is to set the SD sequence as DV just for editing. ,Before rendering he changes to Proress.
If you edit in an EX-1 sequence and you drop that in a SD Proress, or just edit directly in an SD Proress sequence, it will be no difference. In both cases will be only one rendering, and this is the most important when working with 411/420 footage.
If I go to SD I prefer to cut directly in an SD sequence because the possibilities for re-sizing and re-framing that the HD footage offers.
In any case I set High precision and BEST Motion rendering.
rafael


www.nagavideo.com

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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Chris Babbitt on Dec 12, 2008 at 3:59:00 pm

Thanks for piping-in on this, Rafael. I've been trying your method, but I just can't seem to get it right. Would you please explain how you set up your Prores sequence. Right now, I'm working with an EX 1080 60i project. What settings would you use for your ProRes SD sequence? What about slo-mo? How is that going to be affected? Is this method better than just exporting the XDCAM sequence directly to ProRes?

As I understand it, High Precision only applies to graphics, and by my experience that appears to be correct.



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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Rafael Amador on Dec 12, 2008 at 5:10:55 pm

Hi Chris,
For the SD sequence just open a NTSC DV and change the codec to ProRes. Don't forget to set Anamorphic.

[Chris Babbitt] "What about slo-mo?"
With the Slow-mow can be a problem. When you drop your EX-1/Upper-first in a Lower-first sequence (ie DV) you get the Shift-filter on. When you try tome a Slow-mow with "Frame Blending" FC makes a big mess. Shift-fields with Speed change can nt live together.
Solution: Nest the clip with the Shift-fields before applying the Speed change.

There is other solution that can works, for example if you go to DVD.
Edit your EX-1 footage in an Upper-first SD sequence. You avoid the Shift-fields filter and you can make Slow-mow
You can export without problem NTSC ProRess Upper-first. Any intelligent application (Compressor, Bit-Vice) will make a Upper-first MPG-2.
There is some miss understanding about he fact that NTSC DV, 8/10b Unc and Proress must t be always Lower-first. This is true only when capturing or printing to video. When the video is in your computer you decide the field order.

[Chris Babbitt] " Is this method better than just exporting the XDCAM sequence directly to ProRes?

As I said I think that the less times you render your footage, the best.

As I understand it, High Precision only applies to graphics, and by my experience that appears to be correct."

High Precission is nothing about graphics. Is critical that you set "Render all YUV material in High Precission YUV" and Motion Effects Rendering: BEST. Tis affect to how the 1920x1080 4.2.0/8b Square pixels are converted in 720x480 4.2.2/10b NTSC-Anamorphic Pixels.
Cheers,
rafael





www.nagavideo.com

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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Chris Babbitt on Dec 12, 2008 at 5:51:07 pm

"For the SD sequence just open a NTSC DV and change the codec to ProRes. Don't forget to set Anamorphic."

So, under Quicktime Video Settings: Compressor, I change to Apple Pro-Res?
What about the Advanced Tab? If I am working with 1080 60i, do I leave the frame rate at 29.94 or do I change it to 59.94? Do I check the Interlaced box? Enable 4:4:4 filtering? Should I change to Top Field First, or does it matter?

"When you drop your EX-1/Upper-first in a Lower-first sequence (ie DV) you get the Shift-filter on"

This is the part I really don't get. When I drop my XDCAM sequence into the SD sequence, it nests, so I have one continuous clip and there is no shift-field filter applied. If I go back to the parent sequence, there is no shift field filter there either. Are you copying & pasting your timeline or are you dragging your HD sequence into the SD timeline?






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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Rafael Amador on Dec 13, 2008 at 1:11:16 am

[Chris Babbitt] "What about the Advanced Tab? If I am working with 1080 60i, do I leave the frame rate at 29.94 or do I change it to 59.94? Do I check the Interlaced box? Enable 4:4:4 filtering? Should I change to Top Field First, or does it matter? "
You don't have to change the Time Base. Keep 29.94. And off course check Interlaced with the same field order of the sequence. About the 444 Chroma filtering I'm really don't know what to tell you. I always let it unchecked.

[Chris Babbitt] ""When you drop your EX-1/Upper-first in a Lower-first sequence (ie DV) you get the Shift-filter on"

This is the part I really don't get. When I drop my XDCAM sequence into the SD sequence, it nests, so I have one continuous clip and there is no shift-field filter applied. If I go back to the parent sequence, there is no shift field filter there either. Are you copying & pasting your timeline or are you dragging your HD sequence into the SD timeline? "

Chris, to see the Shift-fields filter, you need to open the nested sequence in the Viewer.
Click (no double) the stuff in the SD time-line and hit RETURN.
The nested stuff opens in the viewer as it would be a continuous clip.
Have a look to the Filters Tab and you will find the Shift-fields effect.
rafael


www.nagavideo.com

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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Aleksey Severyukhin on Dec 13, 2008 at 1:48:18 am

Rafael, if you workflow is correct do you mind to share?
Correct me please:
1. Easy Setup - Format xd cam hd; rate: 29.97; xdcam ex 1080p30 vbr.
2.Set the hd seq: render control- apple pro res 422; quality: best;- what is general settings should be?
3.Import and edit xdcam footage.
4. Create new SD sequence: ntsc dv(3:2); PAR- ntsc-ccir 601..., check Anamorphic 16:9. Field dominance - none, Copmressor- apple pro res. Advanced - check interlaced, bottom field first. Video processing for eight bit YUV.
5. Drag hd seq into the SD seq,(it ask to change, yes/no?) render and export with current settings self-contained movie.






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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Rafael Amador on Dec 13, 2008 at 4:26:17 am

1. Easy Setup - Format xd cam hd; rate: 29.97; xdcam ex 1080p30 vbr.
RIGHT., OR JUST OPEN ANY SEQUENCE AND LET FC CONFORM THE SEQUENCE TO THE EX-1 FOOTAGE.

2.Set the hd seq: render control- apple pro res 422; quality: best;- what is general settings should be?
THIS IS NO MUCH IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU WILL USE THE RENDER FILES JUST FOR PREVIEW.

3.Import and edit xdcam footage.
4. Create new SD sequence: ntsc dv(3:2); PAR- ntsc-ccir 601..., check Anamorphic 16:9. Field dominance - none, Copmressor- apple pro res.
Advanced - check interlaced, bottom field first: NO BECAUSE YOUR FOOTAGE AND YOUR SEQUENCE ARE PROGRESSIVE. JUST UNCHECK INTERLACED.
Video processing for eight bit YUV: AGAIN, THIS DOESN'T MATTER HERE BECAUSE YOU DON'T GONNA RENDER THIS SEQUENCE. KEEP IT WITH THE DEFAULT FOR 8b.

5. Drag hd seq into the SD seq,(it ask to change, yes/no?) render and export with current settings self-contained movie. RIGHT. THIS IS THE SD SEQUENCE, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO CONFORM IT TO THE HD SPECS.
HERE IS WHEN YOU NEED TO SET "RENDER ALL YUV MATERIAL IN HIGH PRECISION YUV" AND RENDER MOTION EFFECTS: BEST.
If you have already rendered something in the HD sequence, delete the render files so everything will be rendered at once in the SD time-line. Then export Self Contained with the current setting.
Cheers,
rafael
Rafael





www.nagavideo.com

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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Aleksey Severyukhin on Dec 14, 2008 at 3:33:59 am

thank you Rafael.
5. Sd seq. "Video processing for eight bit YUV: AGAIN, THIS DOESN'T MATTER HERE BECAUSE YOU DON'T GONNA RENDER THIS SEQUENCE. KEEP IT WITH THE DEFAULT FOR 8b."-
"HERE IS WHEN YOU NEED TO SET "RENDER ALL YUV MATERIAL IN HIGH PRECISION YUV" AND RENDER MOTION EFFECTS: BEST. "- so I should set SD seq this way only after I dropeed the hd seq, correct?
5.1." If you have already rendered something in the HD sequence, delete the render files so everything will be rendered at once in the SD time-line."- I rendered everything in HD seq cuz I need to edit it and see how it looks/moves. Can you clarify it that please.

and just quick tour in compressor:
dvd best 90 mins-in inspector-encoder- video format tab check aspect ratio "16:9"-in quality tab motion estimation set to "best". If you are adjusting "Average Bit Rate" and "Maximum Bit Rate" fields, what is your method of calculation.

You helping to a lot of people.






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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Rafael Amador on Dec 14, 2008 at 8:50:16 am

[Aleksey Severyukhin] " so I should set SD seq this way only after I dropeed the hd seq, correct?
5.1." If you have already rendered something in the HD sequence, delete the render files so everything will be rendered at once in the SD time-line."- I rendered everything in HD seq cuz I need to edit it and see how it looks/moves."

Hi Aleksey,
The idea to set FC with less demanding setting for preview. For the final rendering or exporting, set FC to the highest quality setting.
If you go to render in Prores, you must set "Render all YUV in High Precision" so is done in 32b Floating Point.
If you don't do so the rendering is made in 8b and wrote in 10b. A waist.
I suggest also to get read of the render files because, whatever the codec you use' your pictures will be rendered one time. When working with 420/411 footage the less times you render, the best. And if you need to render few times, export with the highest quality and avoiding recompression.

About the DVD, you have to consider the length of the film and the kind of audio you will put.
You can not pass a recommended total data rate neither make the files too big to put inside a disk.
Rafael



www.nagavideo.com

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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Aleksey Severyukhin on Dec 15, 2008 at 11:27:35 am

Rafael, very interesting,
a) how would you correct the timing/details of the effects and transitions without rendering ?
b) I work in final cut pro 6, and I know it is multi-sequence mechanism, but what if i have footage on different formats, and progressive and interlaced, how that would affect the settings?

I've tried your system and it works, thank you!

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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Rafael Amador on Dec 15, 2008 at 1:37:11 pm

Hi Aleksey,
[Aleksey Severyukhin] "a) how would you correct the timing/details of the effects and transitions without rendering ? "
I don't say don't render but render with setting that lets you work faster. If the rendering in 8b is good enough to know how the effect will result, why to waist time doing it in 10b?

[Aleksey Severyukhin] "b) I work in final cut pro 6, and I know it is multi-sequence mechanism, but what if i have footage on different formats, and progressive and interlaced, how that would affect the settings? "
FC have two bugs related with managing field order:
- When you play a clip backward, FC keeps playing the first field of each frame first. It should be the second field the one played first.
- The Shift-fields filter can not live together with a speed change with blending frames.
Out of this two bugs FC manage quite well working with different kind of field-order footage.
But the digital files are really flexible and you can change the field order almost whenever you want.
here in PAL-land we are dealing with this since years. People in NTSC-land mostly have had everything "Lower-first". Now with HD people found then self in the need to work with Upper, Lower and Progressive.
Don't be afraid and make your own custom settings. If you go to end in DigiBeta, you know that you need to go to 10b NTSC 720x486 Lower-first.
But if you go to make a DVD you can make your sequence 10b NTSC 720x480 Upper-first.
Just don't forget the new order, and when you bring this file two other application (AE, Compressor,..) make sure that the fie get recognized properly as Upper. NTSC MPG-2 Upper-first works without problem.
So basically depending of your delivery format you can set the things easier for yourself.
Get your self a good de-interlacer (Nattress I suggest), make some experiments and post if you get stuck.
cheers,
rafael




www.nagavideo.com

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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Aleksey Severyukhin on Dec 18, 2008 at 12:56:37 pm

Thank you!

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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Aleksey Severyukhin on Feb 10, 2009 at 9:05:02 am

Hi Rafael,
Any setting suggestion for web SD and HD youtube videos? What is your workflow for that?
Thank You.

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Re: Reporting Back-EX1 render times
by Chris Babbitt on Dec 13, 2008 at 5:33:59 am

Thanks Raphael. Finally, that clears up a lot of stuff. Didn't you say in an earlier post that just removing the shift fields filter solves the problem?

I have found another solution, I think, to the slo-mo problem. Just export the original HD sequence to a full-rez self-contained movie, and bring that back into your project and drop that into an SD sequence, render, and export. That seems to work as well.



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