progressive DVD workflow - FCP 2 DVDSP

J

jaredalv

Well-known member
All,

For any out there that have created a progressive DVD in DVDSP, what is the workflow? What are your various project settings, export settings, etc.

I am currently exporting progressive 24fps footage using Compressor and then bringing that file into DVDSP. What settings do I need to use in DVDSP to make the project progressive scan?

Thanks,
Chico
 
Re: progressive DVD workflow - FCP 2 DVDSP

I'm trying to remember... but I think, basically, none. If your output from compressor is 24p, then just drop it into DVDSP and it should work fine.

Mind you, I think DVDSP will incorrectly list it as 29.97, even though it handles it right...
 
Re: progressive DVD workflow - FCP 2 DVDSP

Thanks ulanta. That was what I was wondering about. My project in DVDSP was showing 29.97, and I couldn't find anywhere in the manual to change it to 24p. Thought I was going nuts.
 
Re: progressive DVD workflow - FCP 2 DVDSP

Have any of you experenced problems with encoding in the MPEG2 format for DVD's using Compressor and DVDSP2.  For some reason my DVD's come out so chunky and blocky no matter where I encode the video.  I edited in uncompressed Blackmagic 8 bit in Final Cut Pro HD on a 23.98 timeline so there are no problems with the source material. Ifilmed using 24pa then used the advanced pulldown removal. The bit rate that I encode the DVD material in, is at the most without sound, at 9.  It still comes out blocky.  I have heard that this is common with some people and DVDSP2.  I just hope the problem is fixed with DVDSP3.  I guess we will find out.  Can anyone help?  I will try cleaner next but for some reason it will not export as a *.m2v file only a *.mpg file. Can I use the *.mpg file without having to re-encode in DVDSP2?
 
Re: progressive DVD workflow - FCP 2 DVDSP

Well, the first thing I'd suggest is: make sure the blockiness is not there before encoding. Are you using a production monitor, or at least a TV, during shooting, editing, etc? A lot of blocky color noise shows up on a TV that is not visible on the camera's LCD or on a computer screen. This basically needs to be dealt with during recording; the only remedy I've found for SOME noisy footage is actually a LOWER encoding rate which SOMETIMES results in a smoother, more pleasing image than an original noisy one.

Also, FCP fades and some other effects can be noticeably blocky.

-Barry
 
Re: progressive DVD workflow - FCP 2 DVDSP

Yeah everything I have used is high quality. I used a 500 line rez field moniter in shooting and in post. Like I said, I also captured using the Blackmagic 8 bit codec. It is completely uncompressed.  Also, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the source material and the final output to DV or DVCPRO50. I have output the video to both formats.  However once again, when I go to DVDSP2 or Compressor everything really begins to suck. Oh, and I tried using iDVD to burn the DVD and the compression is unbelievably better.  The colors are screwed up and totally off but it is compressed better.  This is killing me.
 
Re: progressive DVD workflow - FCP 2 DVDSP

Well, what settings are you using for compression?

If you're encoding at a max rate of 9Mbps, your player may not be able to handle it, and that could cause blockiness and/or skips, etc. Try a max of 8.
 
Re: progressive DVD workflow - FCP 2 DVDSP

I've done 8, everything really. If you preview the compressed file before burning it, it is still very chunky. I will post some screen shots.
 
Re: progressive DVD workflow - FCP 2 DVDSP

[quote author=ullanta link=board=FCP;num=1084302811;start=0#6 date=05/17/04 at 14:14:29]Well, what settings are you using for compression?  
[/quote]
 
Re: progressive DVD workflow - FCP 2 DVDSP

well first i tried using the Mpeg 2 - DVD preset high quality. The bitrate was preset and worked for a couple of friends on thier systems. When i did custom settings, I tried virtually evry bitrate for example here was a group of settings I tried. Thanks for taking the time to help me out.

VIDEO FORMAT
Video Format: NTSC
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Field Dominance: Automatic

QUALITY
Mode : Two pass VBR Best
Average Bit Rate: 6.5
Max Bit Rate: 6.8
Motion Estimation: Best

GOP
GOP Structure: IBBP *Closed
GOP Size: 15
Pattern: IBBPBBPBBPBBPBP

EXTRAS
NONE SELECTED
 
Re: progressive DVD workflow - FCP 2 DVDSP

You talk a lot about your system vs. "friends' systems". I doubt it makes a difference, but if you think it does, have you tried compressing on one of their systems to test?

To encode in iDVD, did you use DV or DVCPRO50? Could that be the difference? I'm wondering if there may be a CODEC (Blackmagic) problem in DVDSP/Compressor.

You say
However once again, when I go to DVDSP2 or Compressor everything really begins to suck
Click to expand...

In DVDSP, all you can preview is SOURCE footage... so is DVDSP indeed playing the source back differently BEFORE compression? If so, the CODEC seems likely.
 
Re: progressive DVD workflow - FCP 2 DVDSP

I imported the same exact file into iDVD to encode. I thought it may have to do with the Blackmagic 8 bit codec so i will try encoding it using photo-jpeg i guess. what do you think about that? ???
 
Re: progressive DVD workflow - FCP 2 DVDSP

Have you taken a look at Bit Vice. IMO it's the best software encoder available for the Mac right now. www.innobits.se

I would try the demo and see if it's producing the results that you are looking for.

Peace,
Scotty D
 
Re: progressive DVD workflow - FCP 2 DVDSP

[quote author=Kyle Sherman link=board=FCP;num=1084302811;start=0#9 date=05/17/04 at 15:26:50]

GOP
GOP Structure: IBBP    *Closed
GOP Size: 15
Pattern: IBBPBBPBBPBBPBP
[/quote]

Kyle,
I'm a little late, but I've been looking into encoding issues I've been having with 24pa footage. Different encoders use different GOP patterns, the pattern above is specific for Quicktime encoding and possibly others, I'm not sure. But I would look into Blackmagic and see what pattern it uses to encode the footage and make sure your settings are correct. Try setting it to Open and a GOP size of 12, oh and I'd lower your bit rate to a max of 8 and average of 6.5 to 7. FCP's transitions, fades, etc are terrible, never been really happy with them, lower bit rates can help clean some of it up.
Good luck, I'm still on my quest for the best settings for 24p DVD.
 
Re: progressive DVD workflow - FCP 2 DVDSP

Great thanks for the reply, I am going to begin testing my DVD's once again...I think you are right on the mark!!!
 
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