1080i to SD DVD - proper field handling?

overnighttolondon

overnighttolondon

Well-known member
Hi guys,

I haven't done much work with interlaced content - usually only working in progressive - but I have a project that calls for the feel of 60i motion.

I'm planning to shoot 1080i, but I was wondering what precautions I should be taking in post to ensure that my field dominance is properly preserved in the downsampling process.

I'm working in FCP/Compressor... I'm assuming I should be able to use a DVD encoding preset and it will take care of things on its own (take my 540-line fields and convert them into 240-line fields). Is that right?
 
It depends on the software. I suggest editing everything at 1080i, create a 1080i master and then start running it through different software encoders to see what will re-interlace it into 480i.

I haven't personally tested this, but I'm pretty sure that Premiere Pro will handle fields from different resolution files, and downconvert them properly with the Adobe Media encoder.

I would be very surprized if Compressor couldn't properly downsample 1080i to 480i.
 
I ran some tests and it looks like FCP handles the 1080i fields ok in a 480i timeline. I'm starting to lean away from interlaced at all though - the project is also graphics and text heavy so if I can end up with a progressive DVD option for those who can handle it, that'd be ideal. (You can do 30p DVDs like you can do 24p DVDs right, and the DVD player interlaces/telecines if necessary?)
 
DVD supports

23.976, 25, 29.97

You should be able to record Progressive frames on each framerate, however interlaced is not supported at 23.976
 
fixed pixel displays like those big lcd screens can't display interlaced footage as interlaced, it has to be converted to progressive before you can watch it... broadcast tv footage is all 1080i, there is no 1080p broadcast in america.

since you are shooting hi-def, it will most likely be converted anyway at the users end... maybe try running some tests before the final export, but it probably won't help to create both interlaced and non-interlaced masters.

1080i converts to standard def interlaced on the dvds that i create, it'll probably work that way on your mac as well.
 
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