What is the best cross conversion method for 720p (23.98) to 1080i?
by George Kaplan
on
Apr 7, 2006 at 6:19:31 pm
I've read quite a bit on this forum about different ways to cross convert 720p to 1080i, but I am having difficulty deciphering which is the best method. Luckily, I haven't loaded my footage yet, or even decided between the KONA LHe or the DeckLink HD Pro PCIe cards yet, so I still have options...
Here is what I am doing:
Editing 18 1-hr shows on FCP 5.0.4. The footage was recorded on the Varicam in 720p24 (23.98). I plan on inputing over FireWire with the 1200A and I need to master to HDCAM in 1080i. My question is, which of the following cross conversion methods is going to give me the highest quality 1080i master? And which would be the second best method??
1. Loading and editing in 720p24, laying back 720p24 to DVCPRO HD and cross converting at a post house with a teranax.
2. The same as #1, but using the cross conversion in the 1200A to go SDI into the HDCAM deck
3. Cross converting the footage to 1080i out of the 1200A as I'm inputting, editing in 180i and laying back to HDCAM.
4. inputting and editing in 720p24 and using the Decklink's software cross conversion to output to HDCAM 1080i.
One last question...is there a difference in quality between DVCPRO-HD and DVCPRO HD-LP?
Re: What is the best cross conversion method for 720p (23.98) to 1080i? by walter biscardi on Apr 7, 2006 at 8:38:37 pm
First off, you need to talk to the network and find out if they have a specified method of a cross-convert. With our shows, right now a Teranex is the only approved method of cross converting HD so that's what we do. I HIGHLY recommend you send some test tapes up to QC before you complete an entire show to make sure you're meeting their specs.
As for all the methods you've mentioned, I currently cut in 720, master back to DVCPro HD and then we go to the teranex. We're going to test capturing at 1080i straight out of my 1200A, edit and then output to HDCAM next month.
As for the video card, I run two Kona 2's here and will be going with the K3's once we switch to PCI-e machines. Flat out the best cards and best support in the business.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
http://www.biscardicreative.com
Director, "The Rough Cut"
http://www.theroughcutmovie.com
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