25p workflow

M

mikou

Member
Hi,
kinda new to 25p editing...
Could anybody explain to me what a typical 25p workflow would be like?
The footage was shot on a dvx100a and captured into Avid XpressPro.
Since the delivery format is Pal dvd, I gathered there was no need to create a 25p project in Avid, since a dvd is interlaced anyway. So I imported the 25p footage into a 25i project (which should really be called 50i, shouldn't it?).
So far so good...
But I am confused when it comes to exporting and importing (in)to third party softwares:
What are the correct export and import settings, with regards to field order?

Theoretically the footage does not have any field, since progressive is frame based, not field based. So following this logic, my export and import field settings should be set to 'none'. However, because I captured this footage into a Avid 25i project, does it 'become' interlaced now, and thus all my export and import field settings should be set 'lower or upper field first'?
Now add to this that the dvx100a apparently records 25p footage onto its tape as 50i footage, and you can picture me scratching my head...
Basically it's all very confusing for someone who's only dealt with interlaced so far.

Please enlighten me :laugh:
Thanx
M.C.
Ps: I am gonna check on Avid forums as well.
 
Well, as far as I know, delivery format always dictate project settings.
Since the video will be shown on a Pal DVD, my settings were created with that in mind.

M.C.
 
Working in a 25p project preserves not only the progressive nature of your footage, but any types of effects are also rendered at frame based (progressive) so PIP moves, rolling titles, edge wipes etc.

25i stands for 25 frames per second interlace.
25p stands for 25 frames per second progressive

I agree that it is all confusing - but the common nomenclature is to describe "frame per second". It is because of a nice little marketing jealousy between major video manufacturers...

When creating the DVD, encode as progressive and you're all set.

Michael
 
Hi MichaelP,
thanx for replying,
Unfortunately, the whole confusion comes from the fact that I was given the exact opposite advice on the Avid forum.
I was told that, given the fact that the dvx100a records 25p footage onto tape in a 25i 'wrapper', the proper way of dealing with 25p footage was to treat it as being interlaced (lower field first).
Now, since the delivery output will be a Pal Dvd which most folks will play on regular Tv sets (thus interlaced), do I really need to work in a 25p project in avid? (thus losing real-time preview of effects)
I always believed that editing 25p footage in a 25p project was solely reserved to people wanting to go back to film, or those wanting to show their work on progressive scan tv sets.

Editing 25p footage is so far very confusing to me, could you clarify the theory please...

thanx
M.C.
 
My rule of thumb is that progressive footage still looks good on both progressive and interlace monitors while interlace footage only looks good on interlace monitors. Also keep in mind the growth of flat screens monitors; LCD and plasms, computer monitors, phones, projectors, etc. and all new forms of delivery are progressive.

You are most likely fine with what you are doing - as I said, the issue is if you are doing any type of effect that has an edge and is moving - such as picture in picture, edge wipes, rolling titles, etc. When you pause on those types of frames on a DVD with interlace monitor, you will see the motion flicker or blended fields to make the frame.

If that is not an issue, then you are all set.

Michael
 
thanx michael,
I came across some old posts you replied to long time ago and realize that this topic has been covered before.
you actually explained it quite well then...
apologies for not thoroughfully searching B4...
Thanx.
M.C.
Ps: just for info : since the footage is the same whether one is working with 25pfootage in a 25p timeline or a 25i one, why is there no real-time preview of effects in the 25p timeline?
Is displaying progressive effects preview harder for Avid than displaying preview of interlaced ones?
I mean, I have no objection working in a 25p timeline other than the fact that one has to render everything just for previewing... Any workaround for this?
 
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