25p to 50i Conversion

[Robino_J]

I finished a commercial that will be broadcasted in Europe. The delivery format is ProRes 422 1920x1080 50i

We shot and finished the spot at 25p, what's the best method of converting this to 50i? I don't have a way of monitoring 50i and i'm not sure when selecting "interlaced" in the ProRes codec options if I should select "top field first" or "Bottom field first"...

 

[John Marchant]

It'll make no difference to a 25p image in a 50i container, but PAL is upper field first.

 

[Robino_J]

Thanks John.

Just found out that the network need 1080i 59.94 so it might be a little more complex. Anybody in L.A has any recommendation for a post house to help me with this?

Would need to conform this 25p to 59.94i and make sure it is ready for broadcast.

 

[Adam Eden]

Find someone with a Terranex converter. I have one but i am in Sydney, Australia

 

[Nick Shaw]

Would need to conform this 25p to 59.94i and make sure it is ready for broadcast.

Or you can conform 25p to 23.976p and then add pull-down to take it to 59.94i. That will impact the audio and duration, so you need to correct for that, but it's what I've done when delivering the same commercial to both Europe and the US. Means you don't need frame interpolation, which generally gives a better result.

But if it's for Europe, why are they asking for 59.94i?

 

[Robino_J]

Or you can conform 25p to 23.976p and then add pull-down to take it to 59.94i. That will impact the audio and duration, so you need to correct for that, but it's what I've done when delivering the same commercial to both Europe and the US. Means you don't need frame interpolation, which generally gives a better result.

Thanks Nick, I think this is the best way. I did some tests this morning and i can interpret the 25p footage to 23.976 in After Effects. It extends it a little bit but then I speed it up 4% and it fits perfect. I'll have the audio remixed, should only be a matter of moving sound around a little bit, very little dialogue and it's right at the top so it's all good.. I hear people mess with pitch but I don't want to compromise the audio like that. I can then render out from After Effects to 29.97i and or 59.94i

But if it's for Europe, why are they asking for 59.94i?

I have no idea! Got this request late and it's not cool.. we shot everything 25p based on their initial specs.

 

[M Most]

If there is videotape involved as a delivery element - and even if there isn't - any post house that has an HDCamSR machine can do this conversion (25p->59.94i) in one pass, and very cleanly. The SR deck plays the 25p tape as 23.98 and then adds pulldown for 59.94.

 

[Robino_J]

I passed QC. Very happy thanks for the help everybody.