A (somewhat tedious) workflow for converting 4:2:0 to 4:2:2 with free tools

[JoeThePro]

I know there are better methods of converting 4:2:0 footage to 4:2:2, but this is the best free method that Ive found to convert, edit, and produce a final file in 4:2:2 for free. The differences are definitely noticeable when you zoom in and look at color rich areas. Any thoughts, suggestions, or improvements are welcome.

Requires:
- VirtualDub
...-- Need to download and install Matrox vfw codecs
......- http://www.matrox.com/video/en/support/windows/vfw_software_codecs/downloads/softwares/version1.0/
...-- May need to download and install ffinput drivers
......- http://code.google.com/p/ffinputdriver/downloads/list
...-- Need to download and install plugin to import .MOV files
......- http://www.tateu.net/software/
......- http://forums.steves-digicams.com/e...-videos-eg-kodak-zi8-directly-virtualdub.html
- Lightworks Free

Steps:
Start with H.264 .MOV from Canon camera.
Convert to ProRes 444 (or HQ 422) in Eyeframe Converter (http://eyeframeconverter.wordpress.com).
I use VirtualDub to apply the NeatVideo filter at this point (amazing tool).
Export from VirtualDub as uncompressed YUYV AVI.
-- Should be possible at this point to re-use VirtualDub to save YUYV footage as Matrox I-Frame HD, but I get errors...
-- Should be possible at this point to use EyeFrame to convert YUYV footage as Matrox I-Frame for Lightworks Free with proxies. (* untested *)
-- Make your own proxies at this point if nothing else works.
Import proxies to Lightworks, build project (this keeps you from having to edit uncompressed files = laggy, but you can just work with the YUYVs if you want to skip the proxy steps).
Swap in uncompressed footage before exporting.
Export from lightworks as MPEG422@HL or uncompressed YUYV.

5DtoRGB also converts H.264 4:2:0 files to uncompressed 4:2:2 files, but the Win x64 version is broken, and I had some trouble as well with the Win x86 version. Hopefully a new bug-free version will be released soon.

 

[Samuel H]

Why would you want to do all that? To edit in FCP7? Premiere doesn't require any of this since CS5, and I think FCPX doesn't either, right?

 

[JoeThePro]

Why would you want to do all that? To edit in FCP7? Premiere doesn't require any of this since CS5, and I think FCPX doesn't either, right?

Well, all those tools you mentioned are very very costly. Im working with all freeware (check out the first sentence above), so this is what works for me. This is for editing in the Lightworks Free NLE. Orrr.... did I totally miss something and am not using some awesome free tool that does all those for me?

 

[Samuel H]

ah, ok, sorry then: I have no idea how LightWorks treats footage

the paid version is only $50 or so, and I think it can import H.264 clips:
* if it is like FCP7 (you give it 8-bit 420 footage, it works in 8-bit 420 workspace) then you definitely want to recode your footage
* if it is like CS5 or later (no matter what your footage uses, it can work in high-bitrate, no color subsampling workspace) then recoding is not needed