Converting 1080 24P AVCHD for Broadcast

Cole

Cole

Well-known member
I have footage shot on a stock GH2 in 1080 24P that I want to use for a TV spot. The only acceptable frame rates for this provider are 1080i 29.97 or 720P 59.94. Is it even possible to convert these clips to one of the acceptable formats?

If so, what is my best workflow scenario? Edit in 1080/ 24P, export to a file and convert the finished project or export the necessary clips for conversion then edit in the new format?

The footage is mostly a locked down shot of a talking head/interview. There is one slow dolly move on another clip of a consultation shot on a slider. How will the frame rate change affect the quality of the image? Will it affect the sync on sound? I used an HVX for sound and a 2nd angle but also recorded from the mixer to a Zoom H2.

Is this salvageable or is this a reshoot? Thanks for any help.

Cole
 
Cole said:
If so, what is my best workflow scenario? Edit in 1080/ 24P, export to a file and convert the finished project or export the necessary clips for conversion then edit in the new format?
Click to expand...

Edit first (as 24p), THEN worry about export. You should have no problem exporting as either format they need.
 
Thanks for the reply David. Does my 24 1080P footage stand a chance at looking right at 720 60P? The only setting I could find that met their requirements for 29.97 was MPEG2 1080i. Only, the station requests 1920x1080. The export setting for mine came up at 1440x1080. Is this a source footage issue (Panny GH2) that can't be adjusted for export?

Thanks again.
 
Thanks Daniel.
1080i does seem the way to go, I just wasn't sure if I would be better off keeping it progressive verses converting it to interlace. I just hope that they can accept 1440x1080 instead of 1920x1080. If not my next step is to see if I can convert to those dimensions without distortion.
 
Can someone clarify a dimensions question that relates to my original post? When I choose a 1080i export preset (MPEG 2) it lists the dimensions as 1440x1080. When I select a Progressive preset it switches to 1920x1080.

Will that be a consistent result that interlaced footage isn't as wide?

The station requests 1080i footage but lists the required dimensions as 1920x1080. I only seem to be able to have one or the other.

Thanks.
 
What are the exact delivery requirement? By that I mean do they want tape, do they want a file on a hard drive, or something else? And if file, what file formats are acceptable to them? Because all of your posts keep mentioning you're trying to output MPEG 2, even though there are better formats to use, like MP4/H.264, but you make no mention of what the requirements are beyond framerate/resolution.

Which kind of also brings up another question, what version of Premiere are you using?
 
There are a couple of different standards which use different pixel aspect ratios. 1440x1080 is an HDV (and Blu-ray) standard which uses a pixel aspect ratio of 1.333333333333333.

If you multiply 1440 by 1.33333333, you get 1920.

Visually, it's the same thing.

You should ask them exactly what format (MPEG-2?) they want, and then give it to them. Chances are, the 1080/60i at 1440x1080 is what they want and what they need.

(By the way, I wish the term "30i" would just go away. It means the same as 60i, but 60i is actually accurate.)
 
Thanks for the replies David & Mike.

I have CS5.5 which was upgraded from CS4 so I actually still have access to both. I will be submitting this via FTP for a 30 and 60 second spot (no tape). They are a cable provider and this is what they list for their HD Media Submission File Specifications.

HD File Specifications {1080i HD format is preferred}
MPEG
Final Cut Pro
Avid
Alternative H.264
Stream Type:
MPEG-2 Transport Stream
Apple ProRes 422 1920x1080 60i 48kHz
Apple ProRes 422
1280x720 60p 48kHz
Avid DNxHD 145 (8-Bit)
H.264
Video Bit Rate
45 Mbps – (CBR)
Default - (CBR)
Default - (CBR)
45 Mbps - (CBR)
Frame Rate
1080i – 29.97
720P – 59.94
1080i – 29.97
720P – 59.94
1080i – 29.97
720P – 59.94
1080i – 29.97
720P – 59.94
GOP
Long GOP (IBBP)
Default
Default
Default
Aspect Ratio
16:9
HDTV – 1080i (16:9) or
HDTV 720P (16:9)
16:9
16:9
Width/Height
1920x1080 (1080i) or
1280x720P (720p)
1920x1080 (1080i) or
1280x720P (720p)
1920x1080 (1080i) or
1280x720P (720p)
1920x1080 (1080i) or
1280x720P (720p)
Chroma
4:2:2(HP@HL)
4:2:2
4:2:2
4:2:2
Interlacing
1080i (Upper/Top Field First)
720P (progressive)
1080i (Upper/Top Field First)
720P (progressive)
1080i (Upper/Top Field First)
720P (progressive)
1080i (Upper/Top Field First)
720P (progressive)

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I sent them an email asking if they could accept 1080P with the proper dimensions or 1080i at 1440x1080. Still waiting to hear back from them.

Thanks again.
 
Last edited:
They won't be able to accept 1080p.

Of those choices, I'd probably be inclined to go with DNxHD. It's a free codec.
 
David, Thanks again for all of your help.

I have been trying to get the DNxHD codec into my system and after downloading and installing all I have is an empty Avid folder on my C drive. I will continue to try and figure this out but I just noticed an HDTV preset in the MPEG2 format that is 29.97, 1080i and 1920x1080. I will export that and send it to them to test.

I really appreciate all of the help from everyone. Thanks.

Cole
 
Dunno if that's 4:2:2, though. 29.97 isn't an MPEG-2 option in AME if you set 4:2:2. It's "High," whatever that means.

Maybe it'll be acceptable.
 
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