EX1 and Blu-ray Work Flow

S

smajli

Member
Hi Everyone..

How do I get the exact quality from the ex1 to blu-ray. I have tryied and tried many ways and I feel that I might be close. I have taken 3 short clips (2 min total) from the ex1 (1920x1080P 30fps) and imported into final cut via xdcam transfer. I than imported them into compressor using these settings...

File Format = mpeg 2
Stream Usage = Blueray
Video Format = HD 1920x080
Frame Rate= 29.97
Field Dominance= Progressive
Average Bit Rate = 34
Max Bit Rate = 40

Note: The difference between file sizes for the mov and the m2v file are aprox 5 - 6 megs (mov being greater)

I than open up Encore with these new settings...

Project Settings = Blu-ray
Television Standard = NTSC
Codec = MPEG-2
Dimensions = 1920x1080
Frame Rate = 29.97
Automatic Transcoding / MAx Audio/Video Bitrate = 40MBPS

The Difference...

Encore accepted both mov and m2v files. The results are that the color of both formats were not as brilliant as what I saw straight from the XDCAM (via component), Mov files looked darker than the m2v files. Ether this is not achievable or I am missing something. There is a noticeable difference between viewing the 2 formats and the ex1 connected via component to my TV. The Blueray player model that Im using is the Sony BDP 350. Just bought it. I'm also using Final Cut Studio and Adobe CS4. If I cant get this to work, than I would rather take back the blueray player, stick with SD and wait until there is a proper workflow that I can give my clients exact bluray results as my ex1 using all formats (1080, 720, frame rates, etc)

Is this possible?

1 more thing... I do not have a blurray burner, I have been burning on to DVD

Thanks all for reading : )
 
Last edited:
Well,

1. You will NOT get an exact replica of the EX1 footage. Just like you don't get an exact replica of Hollywood films on Blu-Ray either. They have a multi-million dollar workflow and it's not perfect either.

2. You'd do FAR better encoding with MP4/AVCHD than Mpeg2. That would help a lot right there.

3. Keep the BluRay player. It's a nice one. Especially at the price. You just need to bring your expectations in line with your budget and ability.
 
smajli:

Are you burning content as SD to DVD? Or are you burning HD files to DVD? Burning a Blu-ray would let you know where you stand best.

I have found through my blu-ray work that my footage looks sharper and better on Blu-ray than directly connecting my HVX through component. I am using the BDP-S1000, but that shouldn't make a difference.
 
Eric Papa... For these trial and errors, I am burning HD to DVD. I do not have a burner but from what I hear from others are that I should get the same results wether its DVD or Blu-ray. Length is the only difference. Now that I hear that your blu-ray is better than your panasonic hooked up via component, than could it be possible that I can get better results from my ex1 on blu-ray? Does DVD and Blu-ray make that much difference in quality? PerroneFord says "You will NOT get an exact replica of the EX1 footage". This can be true but I have to hear it from more than 1 person. Eric Papa, I do not know a lot about Panasonics or the differences between them and the EX1. As for trying mp4/AVCHD, not sure how but I will figure it out. Thanks again for your help. More information would be great.
 
smajli said:
Eric Papa... For these trial and errors, I am burning HD to DVD.
Click to expand...

Smart decision

smajli said:
I do not have a burner but from what I hear from others are that I should get the same results wether its DVD or Blu-ray. Length is the only difference.
Click to expand...

Yep. If you're writing the same files to both, you'll have the same results.

smajli said:
Now that I hear that your blu-ray is better than your panasonic hooked up via component, than could it be possible that I can get better results from my ex1 on blu-ray?
Click to expand...

I won't comment other than to say that EX1 -> Blu-Ray should look absolutely AMAZING.

smajli said:
Does DVD and Blu-ray make that much difference in quality? PerroneFord says "You will NOT get an exact replica of the EX1 footage". This can be true but I have to hear it from more than 1 person. Eric Papa, I do not know a lot about Panasonics or the differences between them and the EX1. As for trying mp4/AVCHD, not sure how but I will figure it out.
Click to expand...


Well, we'll see who tells you the same thing I did. But honestly, writing EX1 files to BluRay with the AVCHD/MP4 files should look stunning if the video is well shot.
 
Thanks PerroneFord for your rely... what software are you using to write AVCHD/MP4? Compressor, Final Cut or Encore?
 
smajli:

I have found my best results by exporting a Quicktime Reference from Avid, and then allowing Avid DVD to encode for Blu-ray at 44,000 Kbps CBR

MP4 doesn't work with Avid DVD yet from what I've tried, so I believe it is mpeg 2 still in my program. I can't tell a difference.

If you want the best quality do a CBR encode around 40 - 50 kbps. That is Blu-rays max.
 
Eric Papa... Good Point, CBR worked way better than VBR for my dvds. The problem is that I cannot select CBR in Encore. Only VBR. Is it maybe because I recoded in VBR? (don't think so).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top