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View Full Version : EX1 HD footage via FCP-> SD DVD: is there an issue?


robfilms
02-28-2008, 07:57 AM
i'm not trying to start a rumor, nor a flame and i'm not a troll.

i am very seriously looking at the sony ex1 for a series of productions i have in the next 4 months. the 1/2" cmos chips would be great for low light talking head interviews for an upcoming doc. the creamy colors i've seen from the naked lens would be great for a corporate short i have to shoot in may. i also have another corporate piece that would benefit by the small form factor of the camera with folks who are not used to being taped.

but all three of the above gigs will need to be delivered on sd dvd. none will go to broadcast.

why hd? because all three have been longterm clients who will want to add to these pieces in the future. to now originate in hd allows certain flexibilities if the clients want more in 6mos or a yr.

i have read on various boards that there seems to be workflow issues with taking the hd footage into fcp and downrezzing to sd and then mastering in idvd or dvd pro. it seems the resulting dvds are not as lovely as expected.

i do not own the sony ex1. i have not gone thru the task of experiementation. i'm barely competent as a fcp editor. but as a producer i am willing to learn new tools. and i am enthralled by the prospect of a 1/2" chip camera that makes glorious images and is under $10k.

my question: any of the folks who are newly mnted ex1 users, have u taken your footage all the way to sd dvd via fcp? if so, was the footage stunning? were u and your clients pleased by the result? if your answer is yes to the above, would u kindly post your ex1/fcp workflow so a novice like myself (and perhaps others) would have confidence that sd dvd delivery is a reasonable expectation.

as always, thanks u in advance for sharing your experiences.

be well

rob

basilisk
02-28-2008, 08:38 AM
I would imagine that the most likely problems would arise from scaling interlaced footage incorrectly. If you shoot at 25p (PAL) or 30p (NTSC), FCP and Compressor should be fine for output scaled for any purpose (such as DVD Studio Pro)

Like anything, it is a case of getting the workflow correct.

robfilms
02-28-2008, 08:57 AM
Like anything, it is a case of getting the workflow correct.

i thoroughly agree

which is why i wanted to post a postive-toned query, so that those who know more than i (which are so many: wife/kids/clients/other drivers on the road & of course, dvxusers) would share a successful, repeatable workflow that all of us ex1 users can rely upon.

so, ex1 users, please share your ex1/fcp successdul sd dvd workflows.

thanks in advance

be well

rob

dandobi.com
02-28-2008, 01:39 PM
Rob ... it is what it is. Going from HD to SD, you're loosing a good deal of information, but yeah, it looks fine.

Read the below link ... also, before posting questions, remember to scroll down on the main EX-1 Forum and check out the topics. 9 times outta 10 you'll find answers to your questions.

http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/ex1_sd_output_young.html

FrankC
02-28-2008, 11:23 PM
Good advice Dan... We've used the Young technique from the Ken Stone site and it worked great. The pictures held up great in SD/DVD.