Sports Footage to DVD

Justinec101

Justinec101

Active member
I asked about this last year but didn't really find the answer I was looking for.

I'm filming football with my 150 which is then made into multiple dvd copies. I am using Sony's DVD Architect and Vegas.

So far I have been filming in 1080 30p. Editing in 30p. Then outputting in 30p (720x480). When I load this into DVD Architect I have one framerate choice; 60i. My understanding is that 60i for dvd means 30p. The fact that loading a 30p mpeg2 into dvd architect without it being re-rendered seems to confirm this to me.

Would there then be any benefit to shooting in 720 60p? What about 1080 60i? It seems I'd get smoother motion to start with, but I'd end up losing every other frame anyway?
 
If your end product is DVD only, I'd say that if what you're doing now works, there's no reason not to continue doing it.

If you anticipate producing Blu-Ray discs in the future, or if your videos are going to be distributed computer-to-computer (through a web site or by passing around video files), it would probably be better to shoot in 720p60 because the higher frame rate is better at capturing sports action, and those alternate HD delivery formats can preserve the full resolution and frame rate right to the end viewer.

I prefer not to ever shoot in interlaced formats (e.g. 1080i60) unless it is for a broadcaster who specifically demands it. Even then, it can be better to shoot at 1080p30 and just convert the final file that is handed in.

- Greg
 
Trust me, I wish I could distribute by bluray right now (granted I was rooting for HD-DVD) so I didn't have to screw around with all the downconverting/interlacing/crap/etc. But then again, I think we're all awaiting that day.

60p would obviously be the best, but pointless if it's effects are lost in the conversion process. I was thinking that since DVD is 60i, that starting with 60i and ending with 60i could be better. But when outputting mpeg2 the only option is 30 and 24, and like I said, I'm assuming dvd '60i' just means 30p.

What I'm doing now works to a degree. I'm just not completely happy with the quality. I regularly buy and watch dvds, so it's not just that I'm spoiled by HD. When zoomed in on the players it looks anywhere from alright to great, but when zoomed out they're an artifacty mess.

Is there a secret to getting HMC150 footage to DVD and having it look good?

I might be being too picky here, the clients are happy, but I'm always trying to improve, and I keep thinking there might be some secret recipe to getting better results.
 
Justinec101,

The way I look at choosing framerates is largely based on what media I am delivering on. First, lets look at the media types and their native formats:

DVD - Mpeg-2 codec 29.97 fps at 60i
Blu-ray - Mpeg-2, Mpeg-4 1080p24, 1080i30, 720p60, 720p24
Internet - Anything progressive

So, it is best to shoot in a format that will show best on the native delivery media. I would choose 720p60 for sports work because the 60 frames per second will transfer to 60 fields per second without the encoder "making up" any frames. 720p60 is also a native Blu-ray format. 1080p30 is kind of in no man's land as it is not part of the Blu-ray spec and for DVD, the encoder will take one frame and make it into two fields (which are offset). 30fps is a great internet format.

In my testing, 720p60 and 1080i and interchangeable from a detail viewpoint and 720p60 progressive gives you more choices in post. It also looks a bit less interlaced! So 720p60 is my vote.
 
Bassman2003 said:
Justinec101,

The way I look at choosing framerates is largely based on what media I am delivering on. First, lets look at the media types and their native formats:

DVD - Mpeg-2 codec 29.97 fps at 60i
Blu-ray - Mpeg-2, Mpeg-4 1080p24, 1080i30, 720p60, 720p24
Internet - Anything progressive

So, it is best to shoot in a format that will show best on the native delivery media. I would choose 720p60 for sports work because the 60 frames per second will transfer to 60 fields per second without the encoder "making up" any frames. 720p60 is also a native Blu-ray format. 1080p30 is kind of in no man's land as it is not part of the Blu-ray spec and for DVD, the encoder will take one frame and make it into two fields (which are offset). 30fps is a great internet format.

In my testing, 720p60 and 1080i and interchangeable from a detail viewpoint and 720p60 progressive gives you more choices in post. It also looks a bit less interlaced! So 720p60 is my vote.
Click to expand...

I've shot the last few games in 720 60p with 120 shutter speed and I think it looks the best. I think the more limited blurring is helping to eliminate artifacts around the players as well. I have to make sure to turn off resampling in vegas though, or I get terrible ghosting when outputting to 30fps. I was afraid of choppiness but it doesn't seem to be a problem.
 
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