Converting CODECS TO DV-DVCPRO-NTSC

Need advice on converting formats and compression systems to work in FCE without constant rendering. I'm not sure I understand how this all works. As far as I know in order to work “efficiently” (i.e. without rendering all the time) all clips need to be imported into FCE using MOV format with DV-DVCPRO-NTSC compression.
I have video from a Canon G-11 digital camera that downloads automatically into iPhoto. When I drag a clip out of iPhoto it’s in MOV format but with a codec of H.264. To get it into DV-DVCPRI-NTSC compression I have to open QT-7, open the clip then “export” it with options set correctly…then I import the clip into FCE. This is not so bad but I can only do one clip at a time. I literally have dozens! I must be missing something. Is there a better way or is there a way to batch convert in QT-7?
I’m using FCE 4.0.1 on a MacBook Pro with OSX10.8.4. Thanks for any information.

Thanks MtD and DH,
Sorry for the delayed response. First, thanks MtD for the tip on Streamclip. It works!! I can now batch convert. However, I'm embarrassed to admit I do not know what "Are you editing on a DV timeline?" means. I have no idea!. But I guess it doesn't matter since I'm back in business.
DH, I'm mixing SD video from 1st generation Flip camera with SD from a Canon camera...so no HD. However, I am clicking anamorphic on the item properties screen and using the wide screen format. This may be wrong when I export the final sequence from FCE...but I'm taking a chance it will play properly when I burn it to a DVD.
Again, thanks to you both.

Similar Messages

No Dv/DvcPro- NTSC codecs?

Hi i apologize if this a stupid question or has been asked before - but what happened to the dv/dvcpro-ntsc codec in Ae CS5? Has it changed to something else like dv25 or dv50 and i'm just not familiar enough with the codec to know the difference?
Thanks!

In previous versions of After Effects, the imprecise names of the codecs as supplied by QuickTime were used. In After Effects CS5, the more precise names of the codecs are presented in the UI. For example, 'DV25' is what is usually meant when people say 'DV codec', even though it's just one of many DV codecs.
This is also being discussed on this thread:
http://forums.adobe.com/message/3038136

Blurry footage when using Apple DV/DVCPRO - NTSC

I'm working on a 30 second spot that I need to upload to the cable company and they only accept .mov files. It's SD footage. It was shot and is being output as 720x480i. I tried sending them an uncompressed .mov file but they said they couldn't use it (wouldn't open with their conversion system). The guy at the cable company is telling me to use the Apple DV/DVCPRO - NTSC codec to compress it, but when I use that the footage looks pretty blurry compared to the uncompressed version.
I even took it home and checked on my Mac, which looked a little better, but still blurry. I tried exporting it using the h.264 codec and it looked better (still not quite as good as the uncompressed, but pretty close). The strange thing is the the h.264 compressed file was only around 50MB while the DV/DVCPRO - NTSC file was around 100MB.
Is the h.264 codec just that much better that a file can be half the size, but still look better? Or am I just seeing the blurriness because I'm watching them play back on a computer monitor and if I were to send him the DV/DVCPRO - NTSC compressed file it would look fine on TV?

Well, my guess would be that you're witnessing the artifacts of displaying interlaced video on a progressive display. The DV codec is interlaced by its nature, and your computer screen is progressive by its nature. Typically, interlaced video will not look its best on a computer screen, and that's why you'll always hear recommendations of previewing your interlaced material on a properly calibrated NTSC/PAL display. It's just too difficult to judge problems with interlaced footage on a computer screen.
I imagine that the difference you're seeing between the DV export and the H.264 export is that the latter was deinterlaced, and therefore looks "better" on a computer screen. That said, it's not going to look good on a television, which is the intended output. And, I'd bet dimes to donuts that your cable company would scream bloody murder if you sent them an H.264 encoded video in an MP4 container--they just won't know what to do with it. Believe me--I've tried. Send them that DV MOV, and your life will be much better :)

DV/DVCPRO NTSC Compression not working

When I export a sequence to QT movie using DV/DVCPRO NTSC compression (either directly to a QT movie or using QT conversion) I get what looks like a solarized effect (maybe 6 colors total) and the colors are all off - mostly browns and dark tans with hard lines between them, grainy.
If I export with no compression, it looks fine.
It also looks fine in FCP itself during edit and playback, etc.
If I take this project and clips to another machine, it exports into DV/DVCPRO NTSC with no problem.
This just started happening. It was working fine for months with the same settings.
I've tried archive and reinstall the OS system as well as trashing and reinstalling FCP. No change. Using OS 10.4.11, FCP 5.1.4.
I don't know what else to do other than wipe the drive completely. All suggestions appreciated.
Thanks
Paul

Hi Paul
in your first post you said that exporting without compression was fine, now you say that it also has issues and that exporting on another machine is ok.
1. Given that you want to go back to tape, export at your sequence settings to maintain quality; actually selecting the same settings as the sequence settings should see no difference in quality. If you are outputting the finished product back to the same tape that the footage originated from there is no need to change codec, you are better to leave it the same.
2. The fact that the export is seeing problems on one machine and not another suggests that something is wrong on machine one. Trash the prefs for FCP, run some system maintainence on it as well, eg. Disk Utility.
Tony

Convert HDV PAL 1080i50 to NTSC HD 1080i

Has anyone ever successfully converted HDV PAL 1080i50 to NTSC HD 1080i. we keep running into problems with cinema tools. Both the preferences in the file menu and button marked "conform" in the open clip dialogue are GRAYED OUT!! Please help...
We've also tried using MPEG Streamclip 1.9 to conform our footage with meager results. Basically we always end up with jumpy footage.
Also if no one knows how to do this, what about converting 1080i50 to 1080i/p 23.98/24?? Is this possible? Can it have smooth playback?

I've done it in a different way.... I've used FCP Media Manager to recompress the HDV footage to DVCPRO HD, then it works in Cinema Tools, although I've gotten glitches in the video for some reason on occasion. Inotherwords, the orginal PAL DVCPRO HD file is perfect. Then when I conform it in Cinema Tools to 23.98 (which takes about a second), it's now a perfect NTSC file with the exception that at around 5 mins. in, there's a five frame glitch, which I have no way to explain except that there's a glitch in the software which causes that...

I just installed OuickTime 7 Pro in my Mac Pro Ver 10.6.8. The video I am trying to view is codec h264 Compression dvcpro 50 hd. I have audio but no video. It says I need other software with QuickTime for it to work. Dose anyone know what I need?

I just installed OuickTime 7 Pro in my Mac Pro Ver 10.6.8. The video I am trying to view is codec h264 Compression dvcpro 50 hd. I have audio but no video. It says I need other software with QuickTime for it to work. Dose anyone know what I need?

I just installed OuickTime 7 Pro in my Mac Pro Ver 10.6.8. The video I am trying to view is codec h264 Compression dvcpro 50 hd. I have audio but no video. It says I need other software with QuickTime for it to work. Dose anyone know what I need?
H.264 video should be supported by your basic Snow Leopard operating system. The DVCPRO HD family of codecs is part of the Apple "Pro" codecs package which is normally installed as part of a "Pro" video editing suite installer or contemporaneously installed separately as part of one of the newer pro editing apps like FCPX. if you already have one of these pro suites or apps installed or available, then re-install the correct codec package that is missing. If not, you will need to purchase a Pro suite or app to be able to install the required codec package.

DIVX Converter/Codec not working with FCP and OS 10.7?

For years, I've used the DIVX Converter/Codec to output video files from Final Cut Pro 7.0.3 via the Export/Use Quicktime Conversion/Divx as a .divx file. But today, after I upgraded my OS from 10.6 to 10.7 and installed the latest version of DIVX Pro, the normal output functions pop the screen showing that the output processing has started, but it then hangs with "0%" showing in that screen. Is DIVX no longer compatible with FCP in 10.7? Or, is there some additional setting change needed somewhere to make it work as usual. Oddly, DIVX has no email contact information on its site's "Support" section and nothing in their forums appears to address this. Any suggestions or info appreciated.

You ask this question at FCP forum this is FCP X forum https://discussions.apple.com/community/professional_applications/final_cut_stud io

Question on exporting out to DV/DVCPRO - NTSC

I am trying to conform footage to my Easy Setup in Final Cut Pro and for some reason, it won't. My Easy Setup is based on the DV/DVCPRO - NTSC setup with the aspect ratio being 720x480. When I export the footage out, it gives me 720x480 (640x480). That's fine.
So I switch it to NTSC 720x480 4:3 and it still exports out as 640x480.
I try the custom option and type in 720x480 and it still exports out as 720x480.
What am I doing wrong? Is it trying to conform the aspect ratio to what the original video size is? Thanks.

What am I doing wrong? Is it trying to conform the aspect ratio to what the original video size is?
You are confusing the rectangular pixel encoding matrix (720x480) with the square pixel display dimensions (640x480). You must remember that DV was historically developed as a broadcast compression format to more closely reflect the rectangular pixel presentation of older CRT televisions having 720x480 rectangular pixels to display the equivalent of a 640x480 square pixel image.
So I switch it to NTSC 720x480 4:3 and it still exports out as 640x480.
I'm not quite sure what you saying you want to do here. If you were to display 720x480 rectangular pixels on a square pixel device (e.g., a computer monitor, HDTV, etc.), then at 720x480 square pixels the image would look somewhat squat with people and objects looking shorter and fatter than they should be because you have changed the aspect ratio from 4:3 (640x480) to 720x480 which would then have an actual square pixel aspect ratio of 1.5:1 (or 3:2) rather than 4:3.
As an aside, a 16:9 anamorphic DV file would also encode to the same 720x480 data matrix but (as long as the flag is not lost) actually play back at either 640x360 or approximately 853.3x480 depending on the application in use and you would see an entry of 720x480 (853x480) or 720x480 (640x360) on the player Inspector or Info window.
So, unless you are saying that your file has lost its anamorphic value (which can happen in some workflows), it sounds as if everything is working correctly.

Compression diff. btw "video" and "DV/DVCpro-NTSC"?

Hello,
I would like to export a sequence in FCP as a quicktime file. My source material is mini-Dv NTSC and was captured as such. What is the best compression setting for me to use in export--> using Quicktime conversion, in order for me to retain optimal quality. I guess I would have put compression to "none" but I don't have that option under settings --> compression settings. I am wondering between "video" and "DV/DVCpro-NTSC", I also notice that they take diffrent amount of time to export, does this have anything to do with the quality? I will be outputting to DVCAM and making transfers to BetaSP.
Thanks alot,
Lela

It's really just a habit I got into back when I was having trouble playing back long, heavy composite projects. It worked, and now, because it doesn't usually take alot of time (gotta go out for coffe and a smoke anyway) I still do it.
As for the archiving. My stuff goes to most clients on Betacam and I do make a DV copy. I just like to keep the show around for a bit, till I'm sure they aren't going to ask for another Betacam copy for a while. So maybe "archive" wasn't the right word.
Have fun
rh

Converting and burning DVD from NTSC to PAL

I have created a DVD using iMovie (6.0.2) and iDVD (6.0.2) using NTSC format. I want to share a copy of the DVD with relatives oversees and I have been trying to create/convert a DVD formatted for PAL. I have not had any success!! These are the steps I have used:
1. Under PREFERENCES, I selected 25 fps
2. A message window came up indicating the original iMoive file was converted from 29.97 fps (NTSC) to 25 fps (PAL)
3. I Selected Save As and saved the converted iMovie file at 25 fps as a different file
3. I Opened the Saved iMovie file under iMoive checking that the PREFERENCES was set at 25 fps
4. Export from iMovie (full quality) the movie (I have selected 25 fps under PREFERENCES prior to exporting
5. Import the movie file I just exported and then set the chapter markers and save the new movie in iMovie
6. SHARE the new movie and select iDVD
7. When iDVD opens, I check the PREFERENCEES and it has PAL set in the preferences and also has PAL selected under Poject Info
8. I set up all the themes, fonts, etc. to customize my DVD
9. I then select BURN DVD and I get the following message: "TV Standard Conflict? It seems that we are burning a NTSC movie on a PAL disc. Proceed with burning?
ANY Suggestions or Advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hello Morris,
you do not actually have to convert your iMovie NTSC project to PAL before burning in iDVD. just go to iDVD preferences and select PAL as new standard, then create a new project and import your NTSC iMovie. iDVD will do the standard conversion AND encoding.
the NTSC/PAL conversion done in iDVD, however, doesn't produce the best results - give it a try though, but if you're not satisfied with the DVD's quality, consider getting JES Deinterlacer to do the standard conversion. this software can handle directly the reference movie stored in your project and will output the converted movie to the same location, so when you open your iDVD project, it will be in your media pane
JES Deinterlacer is freeware and you can find it here:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~jeschot/home.html
hope this helps
mish

Converting footage from pal to ntsc

Is it recommended to convert pal footage to ntsc without loss of quality especially that we have other footage in the timeline which is ntsc
and the final product should be ntsc format or work in pal and convert the exported movie to ntsc using some sort of a converter?

Denis,
Compressor standard conversion works best with progressive, iframe based material. The one tool that really does a great job (especially with interlaced material) using enhanced and more intelligent standard conversion algorithms remains [Nattress|http://www.nattress.com/Products/standardsconversion/standardsconvers ion.htm].
Having said that, Compressor can still do a decent job.
G.

DVCPRO NTSC PROBLEM

Hi - I am trying to capture a DV tape recorded in the DVCPRO NTSC format.
I have always worked in PAL as I am UK based and now when I look for a DVCPRO NTSC setting in final cut there is nothing. But there is a DVCPRO PAL setting.
The tape plays fine in the player and I can monitor the picture on an external monitor, and the audio signal is coming into final cut ok. But the preview is disabled and when I try capturing, fcp aborts with an error that there is no video signal.
The system all works fine as I regulary capture DV and DVCAM footage - both NTSC and PAL.
I have tried setting fcp to all the available NTSC presets in easy setup and nothing works.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Casey

Try DVPro50. I think that's what you're looking for. If you look at the compressor used for dvpro50 it's DVCpro50

DVCPRO-NTSC 720x480 won't import

I have a 1.58G QuickTime Movie - 720X480 Integer(Big Endian, DV/DVCPRO - NTSC, channel count 2) that FCE (easy setup DV-NTSC, Sequence preset: DV NTSC 48kHz, Capture preset: DV NTSC 48kHz, playback output video Apple FireWire NTSC 720X480) *refuses to import*.
It seems the file I'm trying to import and the easy setup are compatible. I cannot seem to understand why this is happening.
Any help would be most appreciated.

Have repaired permissions and restarted the computer. Checked the file permissions and they read:
- You can: read and write
- Owner: read and write
- Group: read and write (I've changed to read and write before repairing permissions)
- Others: read and write (I've changed to read and write before repairing permissions)
Still no import! This is baffling!

Animation vs DV/DVCPRO NTSC Codec

I'm tring to run my project down to a DVD via iDVD. Inside the project I have various Photoshop graphics and text I created in FCP. When I export my project as a straight QuickTime movie using the default DVCPRO Codec. All my text and graphics are low res. When I export the project as Animation all the graphics and FCP text is perfect but all the video footage is interlaced. I've change my seq. settings to Animation and exported the mov. as Animation as well but it's still interlaced, why?
Thank you,

Never judge quality based on what you see on the desktop.
To see that you will get on the DVD, you need to have an external monitor (TV) connected to your computer while you have FCP open.
#8 External Monitor Viewing.
Shane's Stock Answer #8:
A simple path is mac > firewire > camera or deck > rca cables > tv
Then start up your camera and tv, then open fcp.
Then go View > External video > all frames
Video playback should be Apple firewire NTSC (If you are using an NTSC set)
Audio playback should be Audio follows Video
Techinially, this should send synched video to your TV
If for some reason you can't view your timeline on your external monitor, there are a few things to try:
1) Make sure that the camera/deck is connected and powered on BEFORE you open FCP.
2) In the Final Cut Pro menu select AUDIO/VIDEO Preferences and make sure your signal is being sent out thru Firewire DV.
3) Go to the menu and select VIEW>EXTERNAL>ALL FRAMES.
4) Click in the % box above the image and select FIT TO WINDOW.
5) Go to VIEW->refresh A/V devices
6) Make sure the Log & Capture window is closed
If you want it to play in both the canvas and the external monitor you need to go to the FINAL CUT PRO menu and select AUDIO/VIDIO settings and make sure MIRROR ON DESKTOP is selected under the PLAYBACK OUTPUT section
Shane
"There's no need to fear, UNDERDOG is here!"

How do I convert my DVD home movies (NTSC format) to mpeg 4 format??

3 yrs ago I had my home movies (super 8) onto DVDS (NTSC format.
I would like to convert to mpeg4 so that I can import into imovie and Quicktime player 10
I just installed Snow Leopard 10.6

I would recommend that you convert the DVDs to Apple Intermediate Codec, then edit your movies, then share the final movie in mpeg4 (h.264). This will preserve the most quality. However, the method I will describe will also work to convert your DVD directly into MPEG4.
1) Download and install the Apple MPEG2 QuickTime Component ($20) - available online from Apple.
2) Download and install MPEG Streamclip from Squared 5 (free).
3) Start MPEG Streamclip
4) Insert your DVD into your Mac. If DVD Player or Front Row starts automatically quit those.
5) Open a Finder window. Navigate to your DVD to the Video_TS folder.
6) Drag the .VOB files from the Video_TS folder and drop then into MPEG Streamclip.
7) If MPEG Streamclip offers to fix timecode breaks, say yes.
8) Use FILE/EXPORT USING QUICKTIME to convert the files to Apple Intermediate Codec (or h.264 if you prefer)
9a) Optional: You can deinterlace your footage in this step, if you like
9b) optional: If you know the date and or time of the footage, name your file
clip-yyyy-mm-dd hh;mm;ss
(let mpeg streamclip provide the extension). This will provide metadata that iMovie will use to put the event in the right year and month.
9c) Optional: If you don't want to make one huge clip out of your DVD, you can make smaller clips by using MPEG Streamclip. Move the cursor to the "in" point of the clip, and press i. Move the cursor to the "Out" point of the clip, and press o. Then do steps 8 through 10 and repeat until you have done this for all clips you want.
10) Save the resulting file in a place where you can find it, like your Desktop.
11) Open iMovie.
12) In iMovie, choose FILE/IMPORT/From File and choose the file you saved in steps 8, 9, 10.
13) iMovie will generate thumbnails and you can edit.

Converting CODECS TO DV-DVCPRO-NTSC

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