SD to HD with Magic Bullet Instant HD

[catrhinehart]

I would imagine this question is on here somewhere, but after an hour or so of looking, I can't seem to find it, so here goes.

I have some dvx100a footage (some 24p, some 29.97) and want to "upconvert" to HD. I thought the only way to do this was to drop $30,000 on a film transfer (and I'm sure that is far better) but have been hearing about this Magic Bullet Instant HD. For $100 it seems worth a try.

My concern is that it says it only works on progressive footage, not interlaced. From the research I have done, all dvx footage (regardless of frame rate) is interlaced. So, how do I transfer it? Does it have to be frame by frame? Is it fairly simple once I de-interlace? Does anyone have a standard modus-operandi for doing this? I'm using the latest version of Final Cut.

My project is an 84 minute documentary and this just sounds like a nightmare. Sorry if this question is redundant, but I've googled just about everything I could think of, and haven't gotten a solid answer. Thanks for your help!

Also... I guess while I'm here I'll also ask another quick question. Final Cut's color correction filters are great. Is Magic Bullet's Looks far superior/worth the money?

 

[arniepix]

First, why do you want to upconvert your video? It may not really be necessary for your purposes.

You should take your video to a service bureau like Voltage, USA Studios, Broadway Video or GRS, all of which are in Midtown Manhattan. All of them have hardware like Teranex or Alchemist that will upconvert very well and in real time.

 

[PerroneFord]

My concern is that it says it only works on progressive footage, not interlaced. From the research I have done, all dvx footage (regardless of frame rate) is interlaced.

Uh no. The DVX can shoot progressive just fine. But that said, we don't know how YOU shot your documentary. So it might be progressive, interlaced, or mixed.

Also... I guess while I'm here I'll also ask another quick question. Final Cut's color correction filters are great. Is Magic Bullet's Looks far superior/worth the money?

Final Cut STUDIO comes with one of the best color correction programs under $10k. It's called "Color". MB Looks and MB Colorista 2 are both very powerful and very intuitive programs though. If Colorista was supported in Avid, I'd buy it tomorrow.