Shooting for a DVD release - questions

Celulloyd

Celulloyd

Member
Howdy all...

I'll try to make this as simple and ambiguous as I can. ;)

I have a DVX-100B and a Mac with FCP. I am beginning a feature and would like it to look like film (that's why I bought the DVX). I know to shoot at 24P-ADV, but I'm having trouble seeing the real-time video on the NTSC monitor. I read that it is because I'm editing at 24fps and not 29.97. Should I be doing this? I also read the FAQ from NoahK about digitizing 24pA for editing, but I'm a little fuzzy about his explanation. Do I need to capture at 29.97 even though I shot it at 24p? And what does that do to the footage?

So, I guess what I'm asking is, should I capture the 24pA footage at 29.97 WITH the 2:3:3:2 checked, and if so, does that change what I shot? Also, are these the correct formats to shoot and edit if the final product will be strictly a DVD release? If they are, then do I burn the DVD at the 23.98fps, or do I even have an option at that point? Can I create a trailer for the Web using this footage?

So many questions, so little time...

Thank you in advance for your help and guidance.
 
This brings up the old debate regarding 24 vs 30 fps. I come down on the side that you're going to DVD. Why does one want to create problems for oneself by shooting in 24 and then have to mess with the 3-2 pulldown. You going to be distributing on a 30fps medium. If you were going out to film, it might be a different story. If what you want is a "Film Look", there are better ways to do that than shooting 24. All 24 does in my opinion is add a stutter aberation. The way I get a fantastic film look is with Apple's Studio II "Color" program. If you really want to mess with the camera end of things, I'd be looking at a 35mm adapter.
 
There are lots of posts about this. I happen to be one to disagree with FrankC.

... in part.

But first, let's address the 24pA issue.

Capture using the method you lay out in paragraph two of your post. There is a preset that says 24pA 2.3.3.2. Use that. Your 24pA shoots 23.98 times a second, but GOES TO TAPE with a PULLDOWN CADENCE ADDED at results in being ON THE TAPE at 29.97. To edit that the WAY IT WAS SHOT (not the way it was on the tape) YOU MUST REMOVE THE CADENCE. You can do that ON CAPTURE by the way described above... or you can do it AFTER CAPTURE by capturing at 29.97 (what the tape is) and then use the TOOLS MENU to REMOVE ADVANCED CADENCE.

Either way... the footage you will have left will BE 23.98.

Then, edit THAT IN A 23.98 SEQUENCE.... NOT a 24 sequence. You should be able to watch that on an external monitor. If not, dbl check your RT pulldown in the sequence menu and make sure a cadence is selected -- I use 3.2 for playback.

Now -- back to my point with FRANK...

29.97i is ONE LOOK
29.97p is ANOTHER LOOK
29.97 with 3.2 cadence is yet ANOTHER LOOK
29.97 with 2.3.3.2 cadence is CRAP until you remove the cadence
23.98 is a LOOK

So, basically you have 4 LOOKS to choose from. EACH will give you -- guess what... A DIFFERENT LOOK!!!!!

Your question is NOT -- what is BEST FOR DVD? Your question is OF THESE 4 LOOKS, WHICH WOULD DO THE BEST JUSTICE FOR MY WORK?

THAT is a question YOU have to answer... NOT US!! How do you know? EXPERIENCE!!! TESTING!!! GETTING OUT AND LEARNING YOUR FREAKING CAMERA!!!!!!

ANY of those 4 looks will work fine on a DVD.

I assume you know how to get a 29.97 file to DVD, you do it the EXACT SAME WAY for 23.98. Use the presets in Compressor. They're right there. Use those files as assets just like any other file.

Good luck,

CaptM
 
Cap'n and Frank,

Thanks for the input and suggestions. Having been educated "old school" (I went to college for radio/TV/film in the late '70s) and just recently getting back into this field after spending 25 years in the graphic design/advertising/publication fields, I'm trying to get a handle on this whole digital circus. I've created commercials, business-to-business videos, and promotional videos, but a couple friends of mine and I decided to tackle a feature. I bought the DVX for the 24p film-look, but you suggest I achieve that in post. I've done several test shoots using the 24pA as well as some projects for my son, who is taking digital media in school, and have really liked the look of it, but I guess I'll shoot some footage using 30p and even 60i and see what I can do with it.

I appreciate your time and experience. Thank you...
 
"Doing it in post"

Well... use the camera for what it was designed for.

If you WANT to have a film look with video I'd go with the 24pA mode like you are suggesting. I'd NEVER shoot a feature on 30i -- will look too much like a soap opera. (the ONLY time I shoot 30i mode is if I want to do some really clear slow motion... then, I change tape and shoot ONLY THE 30i STUFF ON THAT TAPE -- I always avoid shooting multiple modes on a single tape. Makes for MESSY captures)

Use the 24pA -- captured properly you can edit in 23.98 and will look very cool!

CaptM
 
Cap'n,

Once again, thank you for the info. I guess I need to be better about realizing that there are always more than one way of doing things ... I should know this; I'm a Photoshop user ;) .

L
 
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