jmproductions13
Active member
what are the best camera settings to avoid blocky looking footage when chromakeying
best settings for chromakey?
- Thread starter jmproductions13
- Start date
Barry_Green
Moderator
Re: best settings for chromakey?
Basically, you can't. That's a byproduct of shooting in DV, which uses 4:1:1 color sampling (which means, in effect, that there are only 160 color samples per line, so each color sample is a great big 4-pixel-wide block).
You can do some things in post to fix it, but there's not a whole lot you can do in-camera except to shoot on a better-color-sampling camera, a 4:2:2 camera like an SDX900.
Basically, you can't. That's a byproduct of shooting in DV, which uses 4:1:1 color sampling (which means, in effect, that there are only 160 color samples per line, so each color sample is a great big 4-pixel-wide block).
You can do some things in post to fix it, but there's not a whole lot you can do in-camera except to shoot on a better-color-sampling camera, a 4:2:2 camera like an SDX900.
jmproductions13
Active member
Re: best settings for chromakey?
this is true even if im recording straight to my computer and not going to tape?
this is true even if im recording straight to my computer and not going to tape?
Barry_Green
Moderator
Re: best settings for chromakey?
If you're recording to your computer by using firewire, yes.
If you're recording to your computer by using firewire, yes.
Re: best settings for chromakey?
Most compositing software (including NLEs with keying ability) will allow you to “feather” or blur the edge of the key. It’s not perfect, but it helps some.
Most compositing software (including NLEs with keying ability) will allow you to “feather” or blur the edge of the key. It’s not perfect, but it helps some.
S
Sofa_King_Smart
Guest
Re: best settings for chromakey?
Here are two options:
One, buy a Canon L2/L1/LX100, and shoot the scenes you need in Hi8. Analog does not have the "blockiness" inherent in DV. (I recommend the L1/L2 because of the interchangable lens, awesome quality image and large CCD. Plus you can snag a good working model for $300 on feebay. bad word?)
Two, buy a copy of DVMatte Pro 1.5 for $199. They have a trial demo, places watermark in middle, at http://www.padd.com/market/product/product.php?prod=dvmattefcp&sub=samples
It is for MAC/PC, and can purchased for FCP, FCXpress, or Adobe After Effects.
I have used both techniques. I have a Canon LX-100, so I "heard" about using Hi8/Analog to smooth the edges. If you use GREAT LIGHTING, have a GREAT CHROMAGREEN MATTE, and a hi-end Hi8 tape, the results are A=M-A-Z-I-N-G! (Use a green screen screen, for some reason the Canon L-series 'recognizes' chromegreen better; i've used both a chromegreen/blue screen, green is clearly better.) Downsize is that a., you have to get a Canon L-series, b., they're finnicky; the surface mount electrolytic capacitors go bad and then it's $300+ to fix (There's a guy in Akron, OH that fixes them cheap...I'm a certified solderist, so doing it myself cost me only $26.38 of smt caps) and finally, c., you'll do a whole bunch of post work in AE to get it 'just right'.
Then there is DV Matte Pro 1.5. Well, it's only $200...and takes care of the "blockiness" of DV. It was developed with the sole purpose of removeing this blcok/pixelation. I got it to do a "simulation" newscast with virtual studio for a small Fox affiliate; they're so cheap/poor, that they can't afford a "real" studio! It was a joy to use. If you're good at "tweaking" AE/Premiere to get good chromakey results, then you'll have no trouble getting outstanding results with DVMatte pro.
Which one to use? Probably DV Matte...cheaper, simpler, results nearly as good as the Canon Analog route; unless you already have a Canon L1/L2....
Here are two options:
One, buy a Canon L2/L1/LX100, and shoot the scenes you need in Hi8. Analog does not have the "blockiness" inherent in DV. (I recommend the L1/L2 because of the interchangable lens, awesome quality image and large CCD. Plus you can snag a good working model for $300 on feebay. bad word?)
Two, buy a copy of DVMatte Pro 1.5 for $199. They have a trial demo, places watermark in middle, at http://www.padd.com/market/product/product.php?prod=dvmattefcp&sub=samples
It is for MAC/PC, and can purchased for FCP, FCXpress, or Adobe After Effects.
I have used both techniques. I have a Canon LX-100, so I "heard" about using Hi8/Analog to smooth the edges. If you use GREAT LIGHTING, have a GREAT CHROMAGREEN MATTE, and a hi-end Hi8 tape, the results are A=M-A-Z-I-N-G! (Use a green screen screen, for some reason the Canon L-series 'recognizes' chromegreen better; i've used both a chromegreen/blue screen, green is clearly better.) Downsize is that a., you have to get a Canon L-series, b., they're finnicky; the surface mount electrolytic capacitors go bad and then it's $300+ to fix (There's a guy in Akron, OH that fixes them cheap...I'm a certified solderist, so doing it myself cost me only $26.38 of smt caps) and finally, c., you'll do a whole bunch of post work in AE to get it 'just right'.
Then there is DV Matte Pro 1.5. Well, it's only $200...and takes care of the "blockiness" of DV. It was developed with the sole purpose of removeing this blcok/pixelation. I got it to do a "simulation" newscast with virtual studio for a small Fox affiliate; they're so cheap/poor, that they can't afford a "real" studio! It was a joy to use. If you're good at "tweaking" AE/Premiere to get good chromakey results, then you'll have no trouble getting outstanding results with DVMatte pro.
Which one to use? Probably DV Matte...cheaper, simpler, results nearly as good as the Canon Analog route; unless you already have a Canon L1/L2....
jmproductions13
Active member
Re: best settings for chromakey?
wow thanks for the tip! i actually just downloaded an fxscript for FCP from adam wilt's website and im going to try that out and see how it goes, it seems to take that nastiness of the edges quite well. then im gonna use keylight and see if i can get some decent results.
wow thanks for the tip! i actually just downloaded an fxscript for FCP from adam wilt's website and im going to try that out and see how it goes, it seems to take that nastiness of the edges quite well. then im gonna use keylight and see if i can get some decent results.
Re: best settings for chromakey?
I was just playing around with Vegas tonight messing with the chroma blur and the chromakey's blur. The results aren't bad for a quick-and-dirty key, not shot all that carefully:
Not too blocky around the communication dish.
I was just playing around with Vegas tonight messing with the chroma blur and the chromakey's blur. The results aren't bad for a quick-and-dirty key, not shot all that carefully:
Not too blocky around the communication dish.