Widescreen from HDV

Please let me know if I am doing this correctly. From Final Cut Pro or iMovie 6 I have HDV footage which I am encoding into h.264 at NTSC 16:9. I then import this into compressor and use 16:9 mpeg2 encoder, and import into DVD Studio Pro. What I don't want is pillar boxes and, or stretched video.
Does this sound correct?

Going via H.264 is a time consuming, not desirable step. Either leave it as HDV when you're working with it in FCP, or go to another codec such as Apple Intermediate Codec. That takes up a lot more disk space than HDV though.
In any case, compressing the FCP output to 16:9 MPEG-2 should work correctly. Just make sure that the DVDSP project is set to the right letterbox setting. You can get a good idea of whether you have it right by using Simulator. In there you can choose which kind of display you're simulating. Or you could do a Build and open the Video_TS folder in DVD Player. If the DVD Player window becomes wider than normal, and has no black borders at all, that would be correct.

Similar Messages

Metadata from hdv

hello. is there a way i can see recorded date and time for each clip after i have captured hdv from my xha1 via fcp?
i have search many forums and found no answers. this would make organizing much easier
i know it works with dv. but with hdv, obviously it is a different case, unfortunately:(
well, i really hope someone could help me with this.
thanks:)
teupaksa

thanks for replies.
well, you cant access this information from the finder. you will get the date when it is captured into your mac, but not when the clips are recorded. if i am wrong pls tell me.
I have catDV and it is only working with dv and not hdv. i havent tried to capture with live capture though. but as far as i have understood Squarebox doesnt support hdv.
if you managed to access this info with live capture and catDV from HDV, can you please confirm it again. if you did, i would be very happy...
teupaksa

Get widescreen from 720x480 by cropping 720x360 or 720x405?

To get true widescreen from standard DV 720x480 footage do you crop to 720 x 360 or 720x405?

Thanks. What I find odd is that when I shoot in Squeeze Mode, which is 720x480 anamorphic, the final result when imported is that I get a picture that cuts off more from the top and bottom of the image than when I shoot Normal 4:3 and crop to 720x405 and how are they both considered 16:9? Even though 720x405 seems to leave a little more image at the top and bottom horizontally.
And when I change the timeline for the 4:3 footage to 720x360 and scale the image to match, it then looks exactly like the image in the Squeeze anamorphic mode.

How I export from HDV to SD (DVD)... What about HD versions suitable for Macs and Pcs?

Hi,
      I have just finished editing a short movie based on some high res stills combined with some 1080i HDV footage.
   After completing the edit in CS4 (in a HDV 1080i environment) I went through Adobe Media Encoder in order to downsize and converting into an m2v file ready for my Encore project.
   As you probably well know this is far from satisfactory in terms of the down sampling capabities shown by AME as well as the lack of proper colour conversion.
So, after giving up on the Dan Isaacs method, AVI synth didnt seem friendly to this user... as well as the inability of CS4 to frameserve..
My solution was to exported the Microsoft AVI using the HUFFYUV codec at 100% - With Progressive scan, when ever I interlaced my output it showed obvious interlacing in my player, odd or even fields first...
I then used VirtualDub to do the down sizing
Finally Procoder 3 to convert to m2v.
The results still have no proper colour conversion properties but look much sharper than the regular CS4 encode using AME
   OK, that took an eternity to discover and still leaves me with another problem.
I want to export straight from CS4 to media type that can be played on both PC and Macs in HD.
Before I go down another gruop of dead ends and trial and error discoveries, could anyone here suggest a recomended and successful workflow?
   Many thanks,
Phil.

let me see if I can help out a little here.
The problem with converting 1080i to SD in software is that FCP seems to do a not-very-good job of downsampling the image, particularly when you are going directly to DV. Details get blurry, and other compression artifacts become quite noticeable. I have also experienced trouble with the HDV fields not getting processed correctly if I go to SD mpeg directly from an HDV timeline or movie file.
Your best bet is one of the following workflows:
Export a 1080i HDV or AIC movie file and re-import to FCP. Place this clip into an anamorphic SD sequence. It doesn't matter if the sequence is DV or Uncompressed if you send the sequence directly to Compressor from FCP, because this will ignore any rendered material and use an uncompressed image buffer as it encodes the mpeg. Do not letterbox your widescreen video if you are going to DVD - widescreen DVD video should always be full-frame anamorphic.
Your other option is to attempt to use Compressor to down-res the sequence or a self-contained movie of your HDV, starting with one of the advnace format conversion presets in Compressor. However, you'll have to cutstomize the preset by turning on the frame controls, and testing the settings to make sure you are happy with the result. Turning on frame controls will increase the ratio of your encoding time anywhere from 4 to 20:1.
I have tried all of these methods, and none of them look as good as capturing the downconverted video from the deck after mastering to HDV tape.
Hope this helps -
Max Average

Best settings for short DVD movie from HDV source

Source: HDV, 3 min Movie, Final Cut
I've used Best Quality 90 mins which gives me Mpeg2 video and AC3 audio. As space isn't a problem I wondered if there were better presets to use (eg AIFF for audio)
I'm downconverting from HD to SD and then going to DVD SP.

First, read Why not edit mpeg http://tangentsoft.net/video/mpeg/edit.html to get a general idea of why a VOB makes a very poor source file (which is a renamed MPG, with some other stuff like menu screens)
Also, Read Bill Hunt on editing a VOB/MPG file http://forums.adobe.com/thread/464549
Once you have a DVD compliant VOB on your timeline, and understanding that a standalone DVD recorder sometimes plays fast-n-loose with "compliance" per the DVD specification, about all you can do is export to standard or widescreen DV AVI and accept the fact that re-encoding an already compressed file is just not going to give great results

HDR-HC1 - import as DV from HDV footage

The HDR-HC1 is able to export HDV footage as DV through in-camera conversion. However, when I try to import as DV into iMovie I get no image.
Can anyone else get the HDR-HC1 and iMovie to import HDV footage as DV??? If so can they please post the magic setting you need to use in the camera and the sequence of steps to setup a new iMovie project so that it can accept the DV stream?

It's slightly tricky to solve, but with a bit of logical thought it can be done (..I've just tested it for you ..but I'm sure you would have found the answer with some persistence..)
Firstly, of course, set the camcorder (..in the 'Standard Set' menu..) to "i.Link Conv - ON (HDV>DV)" ..so that it converts HDV to DV as the video finds its way out down the FireWire cable.
Then create a New Project in iMovie 5.0.2 (..that's what I'm using for this test..) as 'DV Widescreen' ..because that's the 16:9 shape of the original HDV.
When you connect your camcorder, iMovie will show that it's incompatible with the project! ..Why? ..Because the camcorder's own screen is showing "HDV1080i" in the top-left corner, because that's the original tape format which it's playing. (Make sure, by the way, that the 'Standard Set' menu is also set to "Auto" in "VCR HDV/DV", so that the camcorder isn't forced into HDV playback, but just plays whatever format is on the tape.) Make sure that the camera is NOT connected to iMovie - yet!
Now scroll down the camera's menu to "TV TYPE" and choose "4:3". [..I found that if I was set to the - obvious - 16:9 (i.e; widescreen) the next step gave a squeezed playback in iMovie..]
Start playing your movie on the camcorder, and - while it's playing - with iMovie onscreen, plug in your FireWire cable. Wait. The project should be fooled into thinking there's simply a camera - e.g; an iSight - connected, and will display your video onscreen, and instead of an 'Import' button onscreen, it should show a button marked 'Capture from camera' or similar wording. Click that button, and it'll import.
Don't be dismayed if the footage appears to be squashed in the 'thumbnail' picture in the right-hand clips pane of iMovie. When necessary, click on the 'Capture' button again to stop importing, stop the tape by touching the HC1's screen, and wind forwards or backwards to the next clip you want to capture, then touch 'Play' on the HC1 screen, and click 'Capture' again on the iMovie screen.
The second or third thumbnail clip should display in proper widescreen shape in the right-hand clips pane. Don't stop till you've finished all* your capturing/importing, though you may click Apple+S to Save your project from time to time.
When you Save, or finally Quit after importing all the footage you want, and you then then restart iMovie, any squeezed thumbnails should expand to be their proper shape in the clips pane. You can then play and edit clips as normal ..though they may at first 'overflow' the normal iMovie playback window, and temporarily obscure the Timeline counter.
I mentioned, above*, to keep going till you've captured all your clips, as you probably won't find it possible to import more clips this way once you've Quit from that project ..because once iMovie has labelled the project as "iSight" (..because you've fooled it!..) it will say that you're using an incompatible camera when it next detects your HC1 camcorder.
So you have to fool it, and then - during that period of importing - import all the footage you want.
That's what's just worked for me, anyway.
In summary; there's a bug: even though you set the camcorder to convert the HDV footage to DV, nevertheless, iMovie 5 seems to read the original format of the tape (..what appears on your HC1's playback screen..) and thus believes that what you're sending it is not DV but is HDV. I don't know if the bug is in iMovie (..a possible failure to read the format that's coming down the FireWire cable..) or is Sony's fault (..possible failure to deliver the correct info from the camcorder). So don't necessarily blame Apple without knowing the reason for this camera-to-program communication error.
You may try sending a bug report to Apple - via iMovie Feedback - but Apple's already on iMovie HD version 6, so little may be done to adjust iMovie HD 5 now.
iMovie HD 6.0.1 has a very similar bug (..not absolutely identical, as it may display 'HD' just below the Timeline - having detected it - but may accept that the camera is set to 'DV'..) and so a bug report to Apple, just describing your versions as plain "iMovie HD", may produce an improved version 6.0.2, but I've no idea if they'll update version 5 to remove this apparent inability of iMovie to recognise that the camcorder has been set to deliver DV from the original HDV footage.
So experiment at 'fooling' iMovie HD 5. I managed to do it ..but "your mileage may vary"..

Unable to capture DV footage from HDV camera

I am trying to capture from a dv tape using the Sony HVR-Z1E, but I keep getting the following message:
Unable to initialize capture device and device control........ This might also happen if you play DV footage in an HDV device.
I have tried changing the settings on the camera but to no avail.

Hi James,
This is a good workaround for curing your camera recognition problem:
First, check that your Easy Setup / Timeline / Camera or Deck Settings are all exactly the same, then making sure your camera or deck is in VTR mode, try to capture again.
Still not working?
Check whether iMovie recognises your camera.
FCP uses a different form of QT than iMovie for capturing, so if the camera works in iMovie (or if it's listed in System Profiler) but not FCP, it obviously means your Mac can see the VTR but FCP can't, so you need to do this QuickTime fix.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301852
Follow Apple's instructions carefully and you should have things running in no time - it's quite harmless!
But if the Camera / Deck isn't recognised by iMovie or System Profiler, try resetting the Firewire Bus . . . Turn off the Mac and disconnect the power and all Firewire cables. Leave it for 30 mins then connect back up.
Still not working? Try a different Firewire cable.
Failing all this, try resetting the PMU (Power Management Unit). The method varies from machine to machine, so visit the Apple site and search for it in support.
Don't use iMovie for capturing - it doesn't give you a timecode and that's very important.
Let us know how you get on!
Andy
Quad 8GB. 250+500 HDs. G-Raid 1TB. NORTON. FCP 5.1.1. Shake 4.1. Sony HVR Z1E Mac OS X (10.4.7)
"I've taught you all I know, and still you know nothing".

Importing DV Widescreen from Sony HD Camcorder doesn't work

I bought iLife 06 yesterday. Today I started a new iMovie project and specified it was to be in DV Widescreen PAL. When I connected the camcorder (a Sony HDR-HC1E - the very same as the one that Steve Jobs used to demonstrate iMovie 06 at Macworld) it refused to import in widescreen and instead imported in normal (narrowscreen) DV. Consequently the picture is of course all squashed up. This process worked impeccably in the previous version of iMovie with the same camcorder.
When I spoke to Apple Care, after considerable research they said that this was an incompatibility problem. The camera is incompatible with iMovie 06. (I wonder how this can be when it was compatible with the previous iMovie AND is being demonstrated by Jobs himself.)
I should make clear that although the camcorder is HD-capable, I was actually recording in DV Widescreen (because the resulting file would otherwise be too big to put onto a DVD.)
I find it astonishing that Apple can release an upgrade which does not have the ability to do what its previous version did. Apple Care's advice was to uninstall iMovie 06, revert to the previous version and hope that an upgrade to iMovie 06 "might" solve the problem. What kind of help is this?

Well, I'm here in the US, using the NTSC version of the HC1. I don't have the problem you describe, in iMovie 5 or 6. But the settings on the camera are quite complex, so it could be a setting was wrong when you recorded, or when you capturing into iMovie. Using the english menus, you need to go like this on the camera, while in camera mode:
P-Menu > Menu > Standard Set > DV Set > Wide Select
and make sure that's in 16:9 before you start taping anything.
Then to get it into iMovie, you have to force the iLink port to DV quality.
P-Menu > Menu > Standard Set > VCR HDV/DV
and chose DV.
I am able to capture 4:3 and 16:9 clips into either DV or DV Widescreen projects, and iMovie 6 correctly letterboxes/pillarboxes as needed.
You are using a "DV Widescreen" project, right?

Media Manager not deleting unused media from HDV (intermediate codec) clips

I have a project which uses HDV footage which I captured using the Apple Intermediate Codec. I now have a bunch of clips that are very large in file size so I'd like to use the Media Manager to delete all the unused footage from the clips. I have tried countless different selections of sequences, clips in the browser, clips in a timeline etc but can't seem to get the Media Manager to show a smaller file size for the processed files based on 'Use Existing' with 'Delete unused media' option. The two size meters at the top always stay the same. Can the media manager trim HDV/Apple Intermediate Codec footage? If not is there a way to get rid of the footage that I haven't used? Thanks!
Ben

I've never mastered MM. If I want a small section out of larger clip, I simply just export that section of the clip using 'current settings'.
Hope someone who has tamed the MM beast will step in here and offer you a better way...
good luck.
x

Best Quality Exporting From HDV to DVD

I've searched on the web & gotten a few answers, but nothing seems to solve the situation.
What I've tried.
1920x1080p MPEG2, Quality 5, Min, Target, Max All Set To 60. Came out looking like crap when it was put on a dvd. Noisy, over contrasted (could be the tv), over colored (could be the tv).
720x480 MPEG2-DVD, Quality 5, Min, Target, Max All Set To 9. Came out looking worse then my previous attempt.
Anyone have a secret formula for HDV to DVD conversion?

Hello,
Couple of questions on the below:
1) Does this work for converting .MTS files?
2) If so, I download the Encoder presets, but where do I place them? (I didn't see any .epr files in the root of /encoder
On the Premiere CS4 end of things:
Download these Adobe Media Encoder CS4 presets for 100Mbps MPEG-2 I-frame 4:2:2
Export your 1440x1080 60i timeline using the corresponding preset from the ones above; this will create a (very large) .m2v file and .wav file
Now some freeware tools to get the conversion done properly:
Download and install the Lagarith lossless codec
Download and install VirtualDub
Download and install AviSynth
Download and install my hd2sd() conversion package for AviSynth (instructions for installation are in the .zip file)
Create a new blank text document in notepad, like such, and save this file as premiere.avs, and save it to the same folder as your .m2v and .wav file (edit the video and audio parameters to match your filenames). This is your "script" file for AviSynth:
video = "myfile.m2v"
audio = "myfile.wav"
FFMpegSource(video)
(audio == "") ? last : AudioDub(WavSource(audio))
hd2sd(OutputColorSpace="YUY2", OutputBFF=true)
Run VirtualDub
Open your premiere.avs file in VirtualDub
In VirtualDub, go to Video : Compression and select the Lagarith lossless codec
Also set VirtualDub to use Video : Fast recompress mode
Save your output to lagarith.avi
Import lagarith.avi into Encore for transcoding and authoring

Exporting Widescreen from FCP to mp4...help!

Help! I'm trying to export a 720x480 video from FCP, to upload onto youtube. I feel this should be easy, but no matter what codec i use, the exported video looks stretched. I want the video to stay widescreen, can have black bars at top and bottom, as long as aspect ratio is kept.
What am i doing wrong??

You mean 720x480 Anamorphic, yes?
Here's what I do...
File - Export - QT Conversion
BROADBAND HIGH
Then, click OPTIONS and change size to 420x270.
That will force 'widescreen' no letterbox.
Then, I load that to youtube directly and IT takes care of the letterboxing.
Good luck,
CaptM

Apple ProRes HQ files (converted from HDV) will not play in Premiere Pro

I was working on a project in premier pro and finished a draft on 12/24 with no issues. I took these file directy from their coverted state as .mov files into the PP project and edited on the timeline with no issues. Shut down on 12/24. Opened project today, none of the files from the HDV converted format will play correctly OR export correctly. They are all Black video and still contain the right audio.
As a side note here, this is the same for trying to play the file in Quicktime AND in Apple's Final Cut Pro 7.
The only files affected are those that were uploaded and coverted to Apple ProRes HQ from the HDV format.
Again, this was working and functioning fine un Tuesday, now they appear black in the timeline and viewers.
Only change made to ANYTHING on my iMac is: Updated iTunes on Tuesday after I had closed the project from Premiere Pro.
Please help!!!
Thankyou,
Clede

Only change made to ANYTHING on my iMac is: Updated iTunes on Tuesday after I had closed the project from Premiere Pro.
Sounds like a clue.
Apple / Mac updates have a history of creating issues and plenty of evidence supports that statement.
My guess its a QT version issue.

Creating DVCAM Master from HDV QT

Hello all,
I'm creating a DVCAM master from An HDV project, Which is the best way to get top quality. Should I be rendering in PRORES 422, and then using the Kona card, to downconvert?
or should I use compressor to convert and if so what setting sdo you reccommend, or finally do I put it al in an SD timeline, render out and the export to Tape
Any help would be most appreciated.
Best wishes,
Fred

Try changing the render to ProRes... just select the sequence, then type cmd+zero to open it's settings... the setting is in the video processing tab.
Then render, choose file/export using compressor...
Jerry

"Capture Device Offline" message when attempting to add additional clips from HDV Videocamera,in CS5

"Capture device off line" message when attempting to add additional clips to existing project in Premiere Pro CS5.5.2.
Previous capture was accomplished, but, then when trying to add additional clips from same device it failed.
All 40 minutes of some 185 clips was originally captured using Sony Vegas Moviemaker Platinum 11, with no errors. The additional mt2 clips were then successfully imported into Premiere Pro after indexing and conforming the clips, and they play perfectly well and of a high quality in CS5.5.2 at 1440 x 1080i.
Why would the Capture device be off line , when no physical alteration has been made to the equipment ?

Hi Joe,
Thanks for the advice but, the splitter may not help here, now Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 12 which we also use for less complicated editing is now saying Canon HDV Camcorder is also "OFF LINE"
I think it is a physical connection issue either with the cable , the output from the camera or input into the laptop, because it was working. The issue has been intermittent making it difficilt to diagnose. We use it only for back up as we are overseas and do not have access to our main computer. The tapes are good and the video is high quality so I will have to wait worse luck, and the technical back up for HDV in Belgium is non existent as they have no computers in the stores that have the Firewire or I33394 card.
I have not changed any settings, I may have to wait till I get back to base in 10 days, I am also having an issue with a lens on the Canon 5 D Mark II, which I know must go back to Service but, it still works and, has issues after I dropped it ??????????
Message was edited by: Bob Dix Photographer

5.1 (pseudo) mix from HDV stereo audio

I have done lots of research on this....and the folks in the encore forum have helped me figure out how to render my 5.1 mix to a Blu-Ray disc.
However now I have an editing issue....
I used the Adobe tutorial on how to setup a 5.1 sequence....I setup a new 5.1 master sequence, and told it I want 6 5.1 channels. I then copied the same audio track to each of the 6 channels in the project window. If I use submix channels, I guess you don't get the front/rear puck per the tutorial so I need 6 masters? It is clear that you need to choose 5.1, but not so clear on if you are importing stereo audio, how many master and submix tracks to setup.
I want to take my stereo channel mix, and "spread it" across the 5.1 sound stage. I know this is not true 5.1, but I don't care. I have done this with a much lesser NLE and if the rear channels are low, it provides a nice mix.
I think I am missing some of the steps though....do I need to separate my stereo captured HDV audio into mono or just leave it as stereo???
And regardless, once I had my 6 channels, and moved the pucks around, it was not outputting 5.1 to my PC speaker system. It is a 5.1 setup with a Creative X-FI titanium sound card. I do get 5.1 during editing from my other NLE.
I have read all the help files about choosing my audio hardware betweem WDM sound and Creative ASIO. However neither choice provides me audio out of my rear speakers during editing.
I then read that I need to setup my audio output mapping....and I need to "Drag the desired sequence channel tile into line with the desired hardware channel in the list." However I only have Speakers listed twice....and they only appear to be left and right.... Even though I have 6 audio channels in the sequence and a 5.1 sound card and speaker setup.
So the questions are:
1) What do I need to change to hear 5.1 audio during editing.
2) For what I am trying to do, should I be splitting my captured audio into mono channels or leaving it as stereo.
3) How do I setup my 5.1 sequence in order to achieve my goal.
I apologize if this is something simple. I have done the reading and research and cannot get it to work...
I feel like I am pretty close to being able to transition to this much more powerful tool. The video side is pretty straightforward. However I am having issues on the audio side.
If this was CS4 and a photo question, I could probably answer that!!!
Thanks,
BJBBJB1

Bill,
I typically do not resurrect old threads but there is so much good stuff here, I could not see starting a new thread!
I have been using this pesudo 5.1 technique with great success! However, the constant issues I have with transitions and having multiple audio tracks is really weighing on me. I am constantly creating audio sync issues when I insert transitions, or nudge an audio track by mistake, etc..
I am wondering if you have had much luck with any approach that limits the number of audio tracks.
Something I am toying with is having a 5.1 master track and feeding it my straight stereo input. Then moving the puck about one third of the way back from the front soundstage, and then using the center channel control to boost the center to a good level. This gives me a bit of a rear channel, a stereo soundstage, and I can control the center channel. Of course I cannot apply a delay to the rears using this method, but that is a minor loss.
However I do miss the very discrete mix for the front, center and surround of the other method. So is this the best I could do given my current goal of limiting the number of audio tracks on the timeline?
If I could feed two or three submixes with one stereo track source, that would be nice and allow me to do what I want with only one stereo track on the timeline, but I don't think you can do that can you?? If you could keep the puck available on the audio track that then feeds the submix, that would also help. But as soon as you assign a track to a submix, you lose the ability to control the soundstage for that track. All control passes to the submix unless I am missing something.
The bottom line is any time I have 2 or 3 audio track copies of my original audio source spanning an hour or more, it gets unwieldy. I am okay using additional audio tracks for music or sound effects, as they are short in length.
As always, any ideas most welcome!
Bill

Widescreen from HDV

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