HELP - my footage looks so CHOPPY

S

sean126

New member
I recently made a short film on a dvx-100 (or 100a, not sure which) and after I edited the footage on final cut pro hd, I found that the footage looked choppy. What do I mean? Well, like whenever there is a lot of movement on screen, it almost looks like there are frames missing - the movements are not smooth. I don't know what caused it to look this way, but it certainly didn't look that way before the footage was captured into the computer.
:shocked:

Does anyone know what happened and more importantly - is there a way I can correct it? The only other problem I had with this project is that I would notice popping sounds during the audio that would arise out of nowhere. My buddy who actually owns the Mac we edited on says it might be from rendering so much.

Aww, how technology spites me. The Amish life seems so appealing sometimes.
 
YOU need to know more about your equipment BEFORE asking THAT question.

Here's the deal... There are two kinds of DVX 24Fps recording modes: 24P and 24PA.
The editing workflow is entirely, 100% different for each one in Final Cut Pro.

At best, you'll need to re-edit your entire project. Such is the danger of NOT PLANNING AHEAD.
 
sean126 said:
The only other problem I had with this project is that I would notice popping sounds during the audio that would arise out of nowhere.
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Sounds like your friends computer is not fast enough to handle a realtime reverse pulldown from 24PA (he edited it the 'right way' but his computer isn't fast enough) or he didn't edit the right way and his computer still isn't fast enough. Either way, his computer is 'hickuping' and that is no good.
 
What frame rate were you shooting? At what settings did you capture? Were raw shots choppy ? I think you shot 24pa and edited as 29.97fps without removing pulldown...
Footage may also seem choppy as it is played through your NLE, after you render it should be fine (if done properly)...
 
Welcome to the world of 24p and 24pa. Just as a heads up whenever there is fast panning using the dvx camera in 24p or 24pa mode one will end up with chopping looking footage. Unless your subject is within a close to mid range and you are following it this is how it turns out, however it really depends on the shot... One of the most important things about the dvx camera is how not to use it. It can not be treated like many other video cameras and most people learn that the hard way by ruining their favorite footage. As far as the popping sound if you're having to render "so much" you probably don't have the proper settings in fcp. You shouldn't need to render if you have the correct settings running HD.
 
Editing, pulldown, and rendering issues aside (not to mention knowing what camera you shot on) You are probably seeing what is commonly called "strobing". AS mentioned above, it basically means that you are shooting like you have a video camera instead of film. While the DVX is a video camera, the 24p setting shoots like film, which means you need to move more slowly if you want smoother shots. You get the look of film with this camera, but that partially comes from the framerate, which is less than video. Do a search for "strobing" and you will find many people have dealt with this challenge. This framerate is something that pros deal with everyday on the set. It's the magic of this camera, and what makes the the 24P images look so much like what you see in the movies. But you need to learn how to use it. Do some home work, and get Barry Green's book/DVD set. You will never regret that purchase.
 
If:

"it certainly didn't look that way before the footage was captured into the computer."

maybe your computer is capturing reversed fields if you are working in a 29.97 timeline.

ulisses
 
Thanks - but no thanks

Thanks - but no thanks

Hey guys, I certainly appreciate the advice, but you don't have to be condescending or act like a bunch of assholes either. I don't own the camera, it is not in my possession THEREFORE, I dont know if its 100 or 100a. In reference on HOW NOT TO USE THE CAMERA, any shot with someone moving in the frame looks choppy, NOT JUST WHEN THE CAMERA PANS, TILTS, OR DOLLIES, but every shot with something HAPPENING. If this is how NOT to use the camera, then I take it you're telling me the DVX is a still camera.

I came on here for helpful advice, not to be berated. To put it ghetto, I'd love to see you SAY THAT **** IN MY FACE.
 
sean126 said:
Hey guys, I certainly appreciate the advice, but you don't have to be condescending or act like a bunch of assholes either. I don't own the camera, it is not in my possession THEREFORE, I dont know if its 100 or 100a. In reference on HOW NOT TO USE THE CAMERA, any shot with someone moving in the frame looks choppy, NOT JUST WHEN THE CAMERA PANS, TILTS, OR DOLLIES, but every shot with something HAPPENING. If this is how NOT to use the camera, then I take it you're telling me the DVX is a still camera.

I came on here for helpful advice, not to be berated. To put it ghetto, I'd love to see you SAY THAT **** IN MY FACE.
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settle down sean,
its not like they just posted "get bent". the replies seemed to all be pretty helpful.
perhaps some thicker skin is in order. deep breath bro.. itll be ok:beer:


anyway, they seem to have summed up the answers. it sounds like your machine is just too slow and its dropping frames. even if your working in a 29.976 project it shouldnt look skippy.. cause the footage is 29.976 from the camera. you would see a little motion judder thats barely noticeable to most people on the static shots with moving subject. audio popping generally means its not processing it fast enough and is throwing cliicks and pops into it during its on the fly preview. unless the pops and such are actually in the audio stream. not sure what happend in all the rendering.. incorrect project settings could mess up the flow of everything, but a render of clean audio shouldnt give you poppy audio .. even after a gazillion renders unless your crunching some hard effects that arent working right or are causing clicking and popping.
 
Okay relax

Understand that on almost a daily basis people show up on this site, and ask questions like that without doing any research. It's a common problem. Most of the people who responded to your post were respectful and helpful. If you sensed a bit of frustration, that merely comes from having to answer the same questions over and over again.

This is a very helpful sight with many knowledgeable people. Don't be so thin-skinned.

It could still be strobing IMHO. That happens when there is motion in the frame, not just if the camera is moving. For example, if someone runns across the screen on a static shot, it might look choppy. But if you are having these other challenges (Popping, etc) you are obviously having rendering issues too, which as stated, could also be the problem.

As for me, I grew up in the ghetto. I don't write anything I won't say to anyone's face.

Edit: Didn't mean to step on ya IAL
 
Originally Posted by sean126
"Hey guys, I certainly appreciate the advice, but you don't have to be condescending or act like a bunch of assholes either."

I gotta agree with Sean. Most of the people posting on here are cool, but some (read: thisiswells) always gotta make some cute comment everytime they reply to something. Even though I've only just started posting, I've been checking this sight out for a while now. I've noticed the most of thisiswells' replies are more along the lines of a cheapshot than actual help.

It's not necessary. People come here for help, so if you don't want to help them don't respond and keep your cute remarks to your self. This place should encourage beginners not discourage them.

Feel free to critique my grammar Wells.
 
vjbrennan said:
Edit: Didn't mean to step on ya IAL
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...SAY THAT TO MY FACE!

Cpt. Shiner.. i think i tend to interject catty like remarks here and then as well. (see above .. im making a silly joke at seans expense.) i think we all do. its all in fun and games.. like the above im just playing around. im sure seans a cool guy. I hope he sticks around. he seems pretty reasonable.
 
The language used on this site is far tamer than any other I have been to. Wells' comment may have been a bit of a rib, but if that little comment is gonna set somebodies pants on fire, then they are in the wrong line of work.
 
sean126 said:
I came on here for helpful advice, not to be berated.
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I'm sympathetic to your plight. Understand where I'm coming from, please. There's is almost nothing anyone can tell you that is encouraging in your situation, almost. The "problem" could be several things and without knowing a little more detail there's nothing besides rampant speculation that becomes a burdon (for you) to dig through and find a solution. Ultimately, you will probably need to re-edit your entire project. There isn't much of a way to "gloss over" that detail.

I stand by my original comment, sans the emphasis: You need to know more about the equipment before asking the "why does it stutter" question. Why? It could be a tracked down to not being a problem and just being the way 24Fps video looks instead of 60fps video (all other video cameras) The difference is motion is more jittery. But, from the sound of your post it appears it's more than that. However there is no way to tell without knowing more information.

I do not come here to berate people. I come here to help people. If there is a "slight" in some of my posts in this thread it's because I was probably frustrated there was nothing I could do to help, does make sense?

I personally edit on Mac/FCP and I am in a position to help you. I'm not doing this to hurt you or make you feel silly..... If you really believe that's my MO then please read some of my other, more helpful posts to others in similar situations, like this one... it was yesterday:

arielman said:
I just purchased my first DVX 100AP and I'm not afraid to admit this is new to me ... When filming in 24pa I noticed the cars are a little jittery , so I filmed my son cutting the lawn and yet he looks a little jittery as well . I've seen video done in 24pa and it looks good , how do they do it ?
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thisiswells said:
Ian-

Congratulations on your purchase of a DVX100a. I truly believe you'll love it to pieces and enjoy making films as well. I'll assume you've read differences of pulldown between 24p and 24pa.

Essentially 24pa was designed as an easier, higher quality format for editing and dvd making.

Original 24p looks better and "less-jittery" when viewed directly on a monitor, but is generally more problematic to edit. (certain software natively handles 24p as well as 24pa, but not all) So, ya kind of gotta pick between the two.

If you capture 24pa into your computer, edit in a 24pa timeline, output to 29.97 it WILL look normal when viewed on a regular video monitor, or at least look the way it was supposed to.

Something you could try out: open the shutter a bit more. By default, the DVX100a exposes each frame for 1/50 second in the 24Fps modes. You could crank it open a bit more (i.e. - longer exposure time). See, shutter speed is what stops motion and the faster the shutter, the sharper the image. With a slower shutter speed, you introduce an ever so slight motion blur which effectively reduces the sharpness of each frame while making the motion smoother. It's worth trying out, but to re-iterate, your footage will only appear "normal" on a monitor when in 24p (or if the 24pa is edited/rendered to 29.97, which is the same way the 24p camera mode records 24p). Confusing isn't it!? That's just how it works.

Pinnacle Studio 9 should work with 24p just fine. But, I highly doubt it will correctly work with 24pa. It Shoot in 24p, Edit as normal. Try some experiments with 24p on the camera and open the shutter a bit more then let us know what you see.

Good luck!
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http://www.dvxuser.com/V3/showthread.php?t=28667

Am I really the big bad bully here?

Please find a little more about the camera settings (24P or 24PA) we'll assume the default shutter speed was used (1/50 in F5 or F6 modes) and need to know what "capture preset" was used in FinalCutPro as well as the "timeline preset" examples could be: 23.98 advanced pulldown removal or 29.97 NTSC, etc. It's VERY EASY to mixmatch settings and have a real mess on your hands. We've all been there. If you can find those things out I'll be glad to help. If you prefer to not have me involved, I'll gladly move on.

Sorry if I came across like a bully.. Really, I'm a frustrated volunteer. :cry:
Help us help you.
 
thisiswells your not a big bad bully.. though I don't know your full credentials.. so I could be wrong..

sounds to me like sean is just a whiny little bee-otch ... and didn't actually read any of the replies before jumping down people's throats for not answering his question to his liking.

Dude, use some more maturity, people that responded to your post had good advice.
 
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