Avid Media Composer 2.8/Urgent

[Purly]

I shot a tv spot on P2 at 720 24pn. I imported and edited the spot fine, but I'm trying to export it but cant find an Avid codec that matches. I have DVCpro HD 720p50 and 60. Where can I get the right codec? Also, how does Avid handle adding or removing a pull down?

 

[alexberman]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "matches". What codec do you need to deliver in? Also, since you shot 720 24pN you don't have to worry about pulldown removal. Typically I export as a QT reference (make sure to check Use Avid Codec) and then import into a encoder like sorenson squeeze or cleaner xl and encode to dvd or mpeg4.

 

[Purly]

"Matches" meaning an export setting that is DVCpro HD 720 24pn. I'm trying to get a graphics guy a file to work with and he's asking for it to be converted to those specs. He keeps saying Final Cut has that option. Is it final cut allowing him that option or quicktime? I'm very new to this whole P2 format. As for the pulldown, the client will eventually want an SD output. I'm just wondering how to do that. I would think export my 24p spot as a quicktime and then import that quicktime into a SD 30 frame project and output SDI to Digibeta. Am I close on this one? But don't I have to add a pulldown to it while exporting from the HD project? Again, I'm sure my wording is a bit off.

Thanks

 

[GordonF]

He's kinda wrong and kinda right. The 720p24 export setting (through Compressor, btw) is actually 720p60. Here is a copy of the summary from Compressor:

Name: DVCPRO HD 720p24
Description: DVCPRO HD 720p24 with audio pass-through
File Extension: mov
Estimated file size: 19.29 GB/hour of source
Audio: multi-track passthrough
Video Encoder
Format: QT
Width: 960
Height: 720
Pixel aspect ratio: DVCPRO HD 720p (16:9)
Crop: None
Padding: None
Frame rate: 23.976
Frame Controls: Automatically selected: Off
Codec Type: DVCPRO HD 720p60
Multi-pass: Off, frame reorder: Off
Pixel depth: 24
Spatial quality: 100
Min. Spatial quality: 0
Temporal quality: 0
Min. temporal quality: 0

That can be matched with Avid. Under Format Options, use the 720p60 codec, leave frame rate to current, set your size to compressor native, and inside the Avid export settings, set your width / height.

Should match the export out of FCP.

As for downconverting the 720pn footage to SD, your idea should be fine. But be sure to export a QT reference. Also, why import it into a 30i project? Importing to a 23.97 project should be fine. Then you wouldn't have to worry about adding or removing pulldowns.

 

[Purly]

If I don't have compressor, then what? Is compressor only available if you buy Final Cut Pro? I can't seem to find it by itself.

 

[GordonF]

You don't need compressor. Thats what I'm telling you. Export your sequence in Avid, choose the 720p60 export setting, click the Options button, and make your changes. If you would like, after making your changes, click "Save As" and save the export settings as DVCPRO HD 720p24.