AE Workaround

A

amk28

New member
We are in the process of doing some HVX screen tests for a client and found an interesting workaround to get the MXF files into After Effects without using Raylight or MOG solutions software. By importing the mxf files directly into AE 7.0PRO as "video for windows" footage, it defaults the footage to 1280x1080 (and the images look squished) but successfully brings the files into the composition. We then adjusted the pixel aspect raio to 1.5:1 and set the composition setting to 1920x1080 square pixels, and this seemed to make the image look proper. The system then defaulted the frame rate to 29.97 and we selected "guess 24Pa pulldown" which showed us an "effective frame rate" of 23.976fps.

Does anybody know if this is a successful workflow or if we are potentially loosing any information during this process? We need a 24p output with genuinely discreet (no de-interlacing), high-res frames.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Aaron Krinsky
--> amk28
 
Ahh...

Ahh...

Honestly I'd run a test using Raylight or Cineform and then figure out the quality issue for yourself. What kind of wrapper "video for Windows" is exactly is beyond me. It that option doesn't have any inherent compression and can understand the DVC Pro HD Codec then no it shouldn't have any quality loss.

That being said, your statements like "seemed to make the image look proper" and "defaulted to 29.97" would have me a little nervous about quality loss. Basically, I'd be a lot happier importing the stuff and all my #'s defaulting to what they should be, without intervention on my part (beyond using a software specifically designed for the footage, ie Raylight, etc.).

Really though, I think you need to do it both ways, then watch the footage on a broadcast monitor and make the decision for yourself.

cheers.
 
VaricamLife thanks for your response.

The footage we had delivered to us came with camera charts which made it pretty simple to determine the "proper" pixel and aspect ratios, not to mention we knew what settings they had used on their cameras during the shoot. As far as doing a comparison test is concerned, we have done such a test, and we haven't been able to tell any difference. But since the final form of these tests is a film-out we thought we'd check with the community to see if anyone had tested this workflow or had any knowledge of its deficiencies...not to mention possibly sharing with others a new workflow!

Also, to know that DVCPRO HD natively compresses to 1280x1080 might explain why AfterEffects recognizes the data in this matter; but yes, i'm sure someone out there has a better handle on the mechanics of this issue...
 
Try doing a difference key in AE or PS and see if there are any differences between the same frames for both types of import. You should see if there has been any scaling occur, which tends to have a softening effect, depending on the algorithm. Try full zoom in at 1600% to view the scaling or potential 1 pixel shift from the 1.5% scaling/pixel aspect ratio changes that made the image transform from 1280x1080 to 1920x1080.

Like I did here, you have to look very closesly to see the slight pixel shift in the example I did in that difference key, it is not just a black jpg frame. :D Just an idea, good luck.
 
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