Best Export Settings

Alasken said:
Did you shoot squeeze, letterbox, or regular mode? It depends on how it was shot.
Click to expand...

What mode should it be shot in to avoid this problem? And what size should it be exported to?

Sorry for hijacking the thread but I would also like to know.
 
I can't see the Youtube video because it's not permitted to show in Finland, but for 16:9 video to Youtube, here's my 2 cents for best quality from DVX:

If you shot 16:9 anamorphic using the DVX, then:

From timeline settings, select square pixels for the video you want to export (pixel aspect ratio).


Then from FCP export:

->Using Quicktime conversion
->QT movie options:
-> Compression: h.264
**I'm not sure if Youtube accepts x264, the better free 264 codec (?)
->settings: compressor quality BEST, encoder BEST multi pass
**this depends how long your video is and your Internet connection speed. If it's a long video, then you have to lower the quality until it fits the Youtube maximum. Also, if you're on a slower connection, uploading big video can take a LOOONG time.

->frame rate current (matches the timeline native frame rate)
->Size:
->Dimensions: CUSTOM
->for NTSC type 1024x486 (or 480) -this is the maximum native dimensions that you can get from the DVX
**Notice: if you use the NTSC 16:9 selection from the drop menu, your QT player will show the video as 16:9 and even shows the pixel dimensions 1024x486 in the info, but Youtube doensn't necessarily understand the QT anamorphic flag, as it's really still an anamorphic 4:3 video.

->Deinterlace source video, if the video is not DVX progressive

**With some material I've noticed that it's best to use Deinterlace filter from the effects section in FCP, rather than deinterlace from export. Especially if you've had to shift fields in FCP for some effects. With NTSC and PAL this shouldn't be an issue, I guess. You'll see in Quicktime player if the fields were not deinterlaced.

Sound from 32 kHz to 48 kHz 16 bits if you want quality.

->Prepare for Internet: Fast start

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If you shot letterbox video with DVX, then the thing is to get rid of the black bars of the video. For this, you need to crop them away.

I haven't done this myself and I can't remember the letterbox dimensions for NTSC, so hopefully someone on this forum can give you a guide if you can do this straight in FCP export, using dimensions.

You can get rid of the black bars using free MPEG streamclip:

First export a native Quicktime reference file of your letterboxed movie (in 4:3 aspect), then open the reference file with Streamclip. Use the crop tool to cut away the upper and bottom. There's a preview in that program that helps you to see the result.
Export using the same adjustments as using from FCP.

For 4:3 video there is basically nothing to do except deinterlace, Youtube will insert black bars to both sides, as their player is 16:9 by default nowadays.


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ADD EDIT: as for DVX 16:9 quality, shoot with anamorphic setting, that way you have all the pixels in use from the CCD.
These days Youtube supports 1280x720 HD mode. You could always up-rez the video to those dimensions if you want even bigger video, but I think for Youtube use it's best to stay with SD dimensions, if it was SD in the first place.
 
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dadirector89@yahoo.com said:
I shot in regular 16:9 mode
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That could be one of two things on the DVX.

If you shot 'Letterbox', then it's actually 4:3

If you shot 'Squeeze' then its 16:9

On your DVX, go in to the menu and select CAMERA SETUP. From there look at the ASPECT CONVERSION. You will see either 'Normal' (4:3), 'Letterbox' (4:3 with black bars top and bottom) or 'Squeeze' (essentially 16:9).
 
Not to hijack, but I'm in the same situation except I shot in 4:3 on DVX100 24Pa. Every time I export with conversion it comes out awful. Looking for the best DVD possible.

Thanks.
 
jpastuch said:
Not to hijack, but I'm in the same situation except I shot in 4:3 on DVX100 24Pa. Every time I export with conversion it comes out awful. Looking for the best DVD possible.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

If your going for a DVD then you want to be converting to MPEG2, the codec used for DVD's. So you should either be exporting a self contained movie and converting in DVD Studio Pro, or exporting using Compressor and using the DVD/MPEG2 settings files in there.

As for your footage coming out looking awful, it could be a number of things. You need a specific target to aim for. Usually for me it's viewing on computer monitors so I work towards H.264. You said you want a DVD, so exporting through Quicktime Conversion is not what you want.

By the way, what setting are you using when capturing your 24pA footage? It should be 'Advanced Pulldown Removal'
 
I used advanced pull down, it looks bad when I export via quicktime. I'll attempt the other way DVD studio.
 
jpastuch said:
I used advanced pull down, it looks bad when I export via quicktime. I'll attempt the other way DVD studio.
Click to expand...

What do your original DV files look like, the ones that you captured? The aim is usually to retain as high a quality as possible so your quicktime conversions shouldn't look too bad. There are plenty of tutorials online to use as a guide. Try KenStone;

http://www.google.com/search?client...tone+++quicktime+conversion&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

I keep meaning to buy Noahs book/DVD to really get the most out of my DVX

Good luck!
 
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