7D + Canon HDV 24p sequence settings

[elodis]

Hi All-

I'm a recent Vegas to FCP convert and needed a bit of assurance/advice on the best fcp secuence setup for mixed projects. I'm shooting with a Canon 7D in 1920x1080 24p mode, a Canon XH-A1 in 24F hdv, and a Canon HV20 also in 24f mode.

I've been playing around with some test footage and think I've got my workflow down for the most part. I'm capturing the 7D footage via the EOS plugin and rendering to prores 422 LT.

For the HDV material, I'm capturing into HDV, then sending files to compressor to convert into prores as well. I have yet to get FCP to capture the tapes any way other than manually starting the playhead and selecting 'capture now'. I'm also unaware if there's a way to capture from tape directly into prores. might not be an option.

Anyway, I'm still a bit confused with how I should be setting up my sequence. Do I use the easy setups that match the HDV? Do I set to prores? My test project was set up as HDTV 1080i, square, and ProRes LT.

I just feel like I'm missing something.

Also, does sequence setting make any difference when it comes to desired exports/deliverables? I'm expecting to create the following in any given project:

Std Def DVD
Blu-Ray
h.264 digital render
and some of the 'Share' options like ipad/etc.

Thanks for any insight!

 

[Moseph]

I'm also unaware if there's a way to capture from tape directly into prores. might not be an option.

There is. Under your A/V settings, select HDV Apple Prores 422 for the capture preset.

Anyway, I'm still a bit confused with how I should be setting up my sequence. Do I use the easy setups that match the HDV? Do I set to prores? My test project was set up as HDTV 1080i, square, and ProRes LT.

I would try to set the sequence for whichever you'll have more footage of. 2 HDV cameras means you'll probably have more HDV, but I'm not sure since I'm not in your position. If that's the case though, you want the Apple ProRes 422 1440x1080 24P 48khz preset. I wouldn't worry about the lost resolution on the 7D; it recording at 1920x1080 but being put into a 1440x1080 timeline. The difference will probably be undetectable, considering that you're not not resolving anywhere near 1920x1080 lines with that camera anyways (1000x800 is the number that I've heard). I don't have any personal experience with bluray, but I believe that it can support 1440x1080 as opposed to the usual 1920x1080. Someone correct me if this is false.

Also, when you're cutting, you may want to set your RT to unlimited. This lets you to see the 7D footage (not matching your sequence settings due to a different resolution) without any rendering, though it will be very low res during playback.

The 7D and the XH A1 are a great combo, I've done this 3 times in the past, and I also shot a project with a couple 60Ds and an A1.. My favorite part is that you can dial in the color temperature in degrees kelvin, and since they're both Canon cameras, that alone makes them look extremely similar as far as white balance goes. DOF is a different story, but I usually have the 7D stopped down to F/18 to cancel that out.

 

[elodis]

Thanks Moseph.

I agree, I'm not concerned with the lost resolution...this isn't going to a theatre - home viewing on HDTVs and online. BluRay is a big IF, so sounds like your suggestion will be the way to go unless anyone else chimes in. I'll have to play with the A/V settings to get that capture working so I can skip the compressor step if possible.