Suggestions for converting mjpeg to a better codec without loosing quality?

kingsly

kingsly

Member
I have been experimenting with some D90 footage and, sadly, have run into some snags with mjpeg. First and foremost, I can't for the life of me get it to open in Color. I'd been wanting to convert to ProRes 422 or something similar for editing and finishing, and am curious to hear your opinions regarding workflow and settings to retain maximum quality.
I was originally thinking I'd just open and export every clip within quicktime pro as a ProRes 422 file, then take those into FCP for editing... ?
 
yeah that works, but when i need the best results i convert the files to huffyuv on a pc using picvideo, which has an advanced deblocking option that helps a lot, then i convert this to prores using qt pro or compressor with perian installed. i haven't quite been able to work stairstep removal into this workflow. i sometimes do it using avisynth on the pc, and sometimes using my own plugin in fcp. i haven't decided which is better. i don't want to do the 801p to 1080 or 720p scaling until the very last.

/matt
 
I use MPEG Streamclip - a free video transcoding utility available for the Mac here.

It has a batch mode, lets you create a save presets, and will readily convert .avi files into ProRes 422 .mov files that work perfectly in FCP.

The transcoded files have a gamma shift - they look darker. You may like this as it counteracts the D90's tendency to overexpose. If you don't like the gamma shift clicking on Adjustments opens a dialog box with sliders for Brightness, Contrast, Saturation and Audio Volume.

I believe there are also versions of this tool available for Windows and other platforms.

-a-
 
Have you toyed with correcting out that gamma shift in mpeg streamclip? If a scene is too bright I'd rather address it in Color, not a transcoding program from the internets... ;)
 
MPEG Streamclip doesn't have a gamma control - that's why I mentioned using the Adjustments as one way of counteracting the gamma shift. I increase Brightness by one click. Try it and see for yourself.

Otherwise, open each file in QT and Save as... to create a wrapper, then use Compressor. Try both methods and let us know which you prefer.

-a-
 
I tried MPEG streamclip, I like the batch function and ability to retain and apply previously used settings to every new clip I import. I'll do a pass in QT Pro and one in compressor and look for any noticeable quality difference... if none then it just comes down to speed and ease of use I suppose.

By the way Matt I love the stairstep removal script for FCP! Still trying to figure out how to use the upscaler though...
 
do you have the new version? much more straightforward workflow. just nest the clip in a 1080p sequence (remove any automatic scaling that's applied, it should have a large black border), add the nest to another 1080p sequence, add the filter, set it to scale to fit.

qt pro remembers the export settings too btw.

/matt
 
prores 720p24 for the original then 1080p24 for the two others. i also change the timebase from 23.98 to 24. none of this matters for the plugin though, and res, frame rate and codec is supported.

/matt
 
Why would you convert to a better codec? Is there any benfits with converting the files to prores other than working in color? I also wonder what the "save as" function in QT does. I know it convert the file frpm AVI to MOV, but does it change anything else? codec etc? My workflow now is pretty much importning the files directly to FCP as AVI-files. And then edit and apply stairstep removal and MB. Would it be better to convert to ProRes before I add the clips to FCP? I edit on a Macbook Pro and the computer is a little slow, would ProRes work better than MJPEG?
 
i just finished up a short edit, just messing around. originally i started editing the raw avi's, but then i used the batch compressor app/file from new breed and was much happier editing in the prores form. i only added the stair step remover for clips that looked like they needed it. i'll post it up when i'm able to make it public.
 
mattsand said:
i haven't updated the site, just the actual plugin. :-)

/matt
Click to expand...

Does the old slug procedure works also with the new update plugin ??
I don't no so much about nest technique in FCP i can make a nest sequuence but it's not all clear for me the procedure you write in connected thread.
 
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