Desperate for HDV 'interlacing' help!

[MIDI_EVIL]

Ok, I've been working on a film I shot using the Sony HVR-A1E HDV camera, and I captured the footage using - PAL HDV 1080i (50 or 25 I can't remember?) Is this the problem? It's the first time i've used HDV...

When I export, using both Quicktime and Quicktime conversion file, also in Compressor, the footage is interlaced.

I'm not too clued up when it comes to HDV footage and compression... I've always just clicked 'de-interlace source video' but in this case, it doesn't work.

Please tell me it's not a problem during capture, as I've captured hours and given descriptions to all captured footage.

What are the best settings for exporting HDV 1440x1080 to a quicktime .mov file from Final Cut Pro?

Thanks in advanced...

[thworple]

The best thing to do is to export using Compressor - takes a wee while, but gives the best results. You have to enable Frame-Controls to 'on' in The Inspector, Change Output Fields to 'Progressive', and then select what mode you would prefer under Deinterlace (Would suggest Better or Best under this tab).

Here's a handy Creative Cow podcast (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?i=14100674&id=212180232) which will tell you what you need to know

[MIDI_EVIL]

The best thing to do is to export using Compressor - takes a wee while, but gives the best results. You have to enable Frame-Controls to 'on' in The Inspector, Change Output Fields to 'Progressive', and then select what mode you would prefer under Deinterlace (Would suggest Better or Best under this tab).

Here's a handy Creative Cow podcast (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?i=14100674&id=212180232) which will tell you what you need to know

I know it sounds like a contradictions, with my lack of encoding/de-interlacing knowledge, but the machine I'm using is an 8 Core Mac Pro and Final Cut Studio 2 - 6.0.4. It was purchased for this project. Before then I'd only used 3CCD DV cameras.

Thanks for the information though! I'll try that. EDIT: Thanks so much for the podcast, this is brilliant!

Any more input would be greatly appreciated, I have to find out asap...

Thanks!

[thworple]

The solution above should work fine, as I've shot footage on a Z1 (the A1E's big bro) and used this method to deinterlace the footage. The other options could be to export it to 720p instead, or even just to add the "de-interlace" filter to the clips in your timeline.

But personally, using Compressor to do it for you, and retaining the size settings from the source material would be the best solution.

Good luck...

[CMD is me]

I imported some 1080/60i footage into iMovie (uses similar export settings). I exported as 1080 h.264 "large" w/ de-interlacing on and off. Either way had that terrible interlacing look. But when I played it back on my projector, it was fine. LCD monitor = bad. LCD projector = good.

I also imported video from the same camera into iMovie at 720p and it looked great. Unfortunately I didn't right down the export settings, but perhaps the 720p import did help?

Both look the same when viewed on my 720p projector, but still trying to get the best import/export settings.

[MIDI_EVIL]

The solution above should work fine, as I've shot footage on a Z1 (the A1E's big bro) and used this method to deinterlace the footage. The other options could be to export it to 720p instead, or even just to add the "de-interlace" filter to the clips in your timeline.

But personally, using Compressor to do it for you, and retaining the size settings from the source material would be the best solution.

Good luck...

I just wanted to say thanks again for your advice. It worked perfectly, and now I have a new custom preset for de-interlaced encoding using your Creative Cow link!

This is why I love this forum!

[thworple]

I just wanted to say thanks again for your advice. It worked perfectly, and now I have a new custom preset for de-interlaced encoding using your Creative Cow link!

This is why I love this forum!

Glad I could help....... :)