Hi there. I've just finished a show- 23.98 rough cut on HD- apple pro res 422 hq; I have to output a Standard Def to DVD for approvals. I'm trying to get a letterbox version of this to send. But as far as I can tell; to do this quickly I'm exporting a non-self contained quicktime movie- it only takes an hour to render (using the show/cuts as a reference). Problem is- apple only seems to have Anamorphic for 29.97 NTSC outputs, but not for 23.98 outputs; when I tried outputting the show to DV 29.97 anamorphic- I got my letterbox on the DV timeline (by selecting no when the question comes up about converting it); only problem- was I got a black frame between every cut.
So I've now output DV 23.98 NTSC, 4:3; which means it's kind of cutting off/squeezing the original HD anamorphic aspect ratio.
Does anyone know if there's a way to output a 23.98 onto DV- so I can send a DVD out- and still get a letterbox image?
thanks
Re: Output from HD anamorphic to DV NTSC w. letterbox by Aaron Neitz on Jul 22, 2008 at 11:08:10 pm
export your HD sequence, NOT self contained. Drop into DVD Studio Pro. In the info tab for the track you create, under "display mode" make sure it says 16x9 anamorphic.
It'll make a nice, 23.98, SD letterbox DVD for you automagically
Re: Output from HD anamorphic to DV NTSC w. letterbox by Peter von Puttkamer on Jul 22, 2008 at 11:28:36 pm
Thanks that sounds like a great way to go. So just to confirm- it will convert my 23.98 into a 29.97 for DVD- and letterbox? I"ve avoided the DVD software- because I thought it would take even longer to "cook" in the system- then say- laying a quicktime file onto the sequence and outputting via firewire deck- into a DVD recorder; I do have to output TC burn as well.
Re: Output from HD anamorphic to DV NTSC w. letterbox by Lars Fuchs on Jul 22, 2008 at 11:36:50 pm
You don't have to worry about the 23.98/29.97 frame rate when using DVDSP alone or together with Compressor. The dvd specification accomodates 24p material; dvd players will automatically add pulldown during playback. If you need BITC, I recommend nesting your sequence and applying a TCR filter. This way the tc burnin will be 23.98, and refer directly to your sequence time code.
Re: Output from HD anamorphic to DV NTSC w. letterbox by Lars Fuchs on Jul 22, 2008 at 11:32:01 pm
Hi Peter,
Aaron's method works well - I've done it that way. Another option is to export a reference QT from FCP, using 'current settings' to keep it hd, and then use Compressor to create mv2 files which you can drag into DVDSP. That's my preferred way to work, I have been cutting a feature doc in DVCProHD, 720p24, and delivering standard-def dvds for approval. In Compressor I use Apple's preset under DVD, "Best Quality 90 minutes". if your material is longer, use the 120 minute preset or whatever. I haven't had to make any special adjustments to keep the 16x9 letterboxing. I think that compressor might be flagging its output files correctly so that DVDSP knows its 16x9.
There's no real difference between the two techniques, I'm just more familar with Compressor than DVDSP, so I'm more comfortable mucking about with it than DVDSP.
BTW, in case you're not familiar with what to do in DVDSP to make quick-and-dirty dvd screener (no menus, etc) once you've dragged the mv2 file into DVDSP, delete the default menu and track. Then right-click on your file and choose 'first play'. That will make it play automatically upon insertion. Hit "burn" and you're off and running.
