Transcoding different size clips with mpeg streamclip...

J

jamani

Active member
I did a shoot over the weekend. Some of it is "1920x1080 25fp"s and the rest is "1280x720 50fps". I realize mpeg streamclip asks for the frame size to be declared. So what would you normally do in this situation? Transcode the different frame sizes separately? And while at it, what other settings should I keep an eye on? What is "frame blending/better downscaling"? What to do with the "interlace scaling/deinterlace video"? I watched different videos on youtube and each one does it differently. Was hoping to get a clear answer from the good people on this forum.

Thanks.
 
The size settings depend on your final output - if you're mixing 1080 and 720 footage in the same project, something has to get scaled at some point. The minute I add slowmo to a project, I just do it all at 720p. If a project is really effects heavy, I tend to go 720 (rendering time in AE - big time difference!) So, when you choose your output size, decide what you need.

You could try upscaling your 720 footage to 1080 in MPST, never tried it - dont know if "better downscaling" also UPscales better. Let us now.

"Better Downscaling" is when you reduce the frame size (say, 1080 to 720). It seems to do more calculations; I haven't A-B'd it for quality, it doesn't seem to add significant time; select it when reducing pixel dimensions - handy for webs-sizing things. Frame blending - I **assume** this is if you change the output frame rate; MPST will blend frames to smooth motion. You might want to A/B test that if you change footage FPS for output.

Interlace/deinterlace deals with fields-based video (interlaced). Just make sure you don't have either one on for DSLR or progressive footage. (If you don't know the term "interlaced", you may be new to all of this, google it).

Also, get to know the "save settings" function - many times you want to output clips WITH audio, other times without - you can set up presets like "1080p no Audio", even presets to shrink video for web posting (client approval, etc). I can never remember what "1/3 of 720p" is numerically, I just keep size presets. Resizing an edit in MPST seems faster than resizing when you render from your NLE.

For effects work that requires photoshop plates - "export frame" really rocks. Pick your frame, and you can get a full size (or scaled) PNG, TIFF, JPEG, etc - better than screen grabs for aligning things in other programs. Export a frame from your greenscreen shot, isolate it in photoshop (color range is great for this), try it out on your photoshop plates for size/alignment/color, etc. MPST is a lot faster to open than AE, FCP, etc - great for utilitarian tasks like frame grabs.

And finally - the batch function is baaaaaadaaaaasssss. You can trim your clips, send them to batch, and even feed several final footage folders. Send a bunch of trims to batch, hit "run", and go have a (coffee, smoke, dominatrix bondage session, whatever you're into). (They all-three go great together though!)
 
Michael Carter said:
And finally - the batch function is baaaaaadaaaaasssss. You can trim your clips, send them to batch, and even feed several final footage folders. Send a bunch of trims to batch, hit "run", and go have a (coffee, smoke, dominatrix bondage session, whatever you're into). (They all-three go great together though!)
Click to expand...

That is the baddestass function. I set up all my footage at once on a project from many different cards. Hit go, and when I wake up the next morning everything is in a neat little folder done.
Personally I downscale everything from 1080p to 720p 50% quality for a fast offline. I use a 1080 project and scale to frame size. The Timeline so light it's like there is nothing on it.
Before I export just link to original matching folders.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top