Mastering SD deliverables from HD sequence
by Sean Meredith
on
Jan 26, 2008 at 6:24:03 pm
I have my totally completed and prepped sequence of my film that I want to use to make masters for my distribution deliverables list. My sequence is 1080p23.98 AJA 10bit RGB Log with LtRt and M+E LtRt (plus 12 tracks of surround and M+E surround, but only the four will end up on my tapes).
I'd prefer to take a D-5 or HDCAM-SR to a post house and have them do it, but I my budget is small.
For the NTSC SD deliverables, I'm planning on nesting the HD sequence in a 23.98 NTSC sized sequence, then output through compressor as NTSC 29.97. For my PAL SD deliverables, I was planning on nesting the HD sequence in a 23.98 PAL sized sequence, output through compressor at 23.98, then change the speed to 25fps in Cinema Tools. I've have my complaints about Compressor and the FCP suite's down-res quality, but from my RGB Log sequence, it looks pretty good.
Any opinions or scathing replies to this plan? What's standard?
Re: Mastering SD deliverables from HD sequence by walter biscardi on Jan 26, 2008 at 7:09:36 pm
Since you mention the AJA 10bit RGB codec, I'm assuming you have a Kona card. Let that card perform the HD to SD in realtime to your deck. This is what we do.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.
Re: Mastering SD deliverables from HD sequence by Jeremy Garchow on Jan 26, 2008 at 10:41:51 pm
If you have to use Compressor. I'd do an NTSC downconvert @ 23.98 and let you Blackmagic card add the pulldown on output. For the PAL version, I'd Duplicate the HD 23.98 export (self contained) and conform that to 25 fps via Cinema Tools. I would then take that HD movie and down convert in COmpressor for PAL keeping everything progressive.
Re: Mastering SD deliverables from HD sequence by walter biscardi on Jan 26, 2008 at 11:03:50 pm
[Sean Meredith]"
What about resizing? Letterbox, anamorphic, full frame. And the PAL frame size?"
With an AJA Kona, you have all three of those options to choose from. Actually you can even lay off an HD and SD Master at the same time if you want to by downconverting one of the outputs and leaving the other at HD. Of course there's deck control issues there, but you can do that.
[Sean Meredith]"
BM doing the pull down. Can I do an accurate Edit to Tape that way?"
With a Kona yes, no idea on BM hardware.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.
Re: Mastering SD deliverables from HD sequence by Sean Meredith on Jan 27, 2008 at 12:04:26 am
hmmm? if the Kona card can do so much, maybe I should take to a place with a Kona card.
I notice that when I downconvert with Compressor from my HD sequence to NTSC and PAL that things that were highlights broadcast safe before can have some slight clipping. will the Kona card handle this better?
thanks for the advice!
sean
Sean Meredith
Director
"Dante's Inferno"
www.dantefilm.com
Re: Mastering SD deliverables from HD sequence by Sean ONeil on Jan 27, 2008 at 4:19:42 am
[Jeremy Garchow]"If you have to use Compressor. I'd do an NTSC downconvert @ 23.98 and let you Blackmagic card add the pulldown on output. For the PAL version, I'd Duplicate the HD 23.98 export (self contained) and conform that to 25 fps via Cinema Tools. I would then take that HD movie and down convert in COmpressor for PAL keeping everything progressive."
I agree with this. Keep it at 23.98 and let the BM card add the pulldown. Compressor will scale better if it's a progressive format.
Re: Mastering SD deliverables from HD sequence by Sean Meredith on Jan 26, 2008 at 8:48:54 pm
My card is the BM Decklink Pro (Single Link). But my final timeline is 10bit RGB Kona Log because that's what my colorist used when we mastered in Final Touch. I went through the whole prep for mastering with my 10 422 BM version of the sequence, but was having bizarre problems with garbage frames which I wasn't able to solve, though still discussing...
http://forums.creativecow.net/thread/8/972099
So I went backwards to my RGB Log sequence. I hear Kona does great downrez, but BM not as good. So, that's why I was going to have Compressor do the work.
-sean
Sean Meredith
Director
"Dante's Inferno"
www.dantefilm.com
Re: Mastering SD deliverables from HD sequence by Matthew McNulty on Jan 26, 2008 at 10:39:06 pm
OT... sean... saw some art work work from your film at the mesa center for the arts here in AZ... fantastic stuff! love dante luv your interpretation... los angeles... i love LA!
Re: Mastering SD deliverables from HD sequence by Sean Meredith on Jan 26, 2008 at 10:46:43 pm
Hey Matthew,
Glad you liked it. That was Sandow Birk's artwork. He's one of my film partners. His "Depravities of War" exhibit is traveling now (paintings and 4x8 foot wood block prints). Then our other partner is Paul Zaloom (he's Beakman!). It was fun taking the film around the fests last year. Yeah, the Mesa center got a sneak peek of the film. I'll be finishing up the domestic deal as soon as my lawyer gets back from Park City. Hopefully by May or June it'll be out on DVD. Not booking any screenings till I get a DVD release date nailed down.
But they'll be no DVD if I can't get these dang tapes mastered. Deliverables Lists aren't good for my health and well being.
best,
sean
Sean Meredith
Director
"Dante's Inferno"
www.dantefilm.com
