Downrezzing for SD files or DVD output

[scott william]

I’ve been playing around with r3d files in redcine and CS4 and wanted to know how people are downrezzing to sd files for DVD output. Here’s my current workflow.

Shoot HD 4k. Edit r3d files in ¼ res in CS4. Back to redcine to downconvert using .h264.

The red showreel came in a h.264 so I figure it’s not a bad option. What do people think?

The h.264 720p files retain a decent look of the original 4k but the PAL h.264 720X576 is rather average. Is that the nature of standard definition, or is there a better method of downrezzing?

 

[Dave Blackham]

Id make a master at 1920 x 1080 if its an HD show and then use the frame controls to down convert in Compressor to make an SD version.

 

[Antony M]

Why are you going back to RedCine ?

I would just choose my output options in CS4, and render from there.

 

[scott william]

I thought redcine might be better. Had average results using CS3 with jagies and softness.

 

[Dave Blackham]

I thought redcine might be better. Had average results using CS3 with jagies and softness.

I think you will find Compressor is better. But using the frame controls is essential. Compressor uses the same very high quality algorithms that are embedded in Shake.

 

[scott william]

I would like to play with compressor but it's a mac app correct? i'm on PC.

 

[Kujtim Ereqi]

If you want to stay inside Premiere:

Finish the editing in Premiere and then open a new PAL/NTSC sequence (no fields) and check Maximum Bit Depth and Maximum Render Quality (its very important to check the second one, because its job is to preserve quality when downconverting).

Nest the original sequence in the new PAL/NTSC sequence and scale it down until it fits. Then export with the same specifications of the new sequence.

I think you will like the result, but keep in mind that the activation of Maximum Render Quality will make Adobe Media Encorder take a much much longer time for exporting. So It would be better if you try with small piece first, then if you like it continue with the rest. But the results are much better.

The reason why many are missing this option, it's because it was not added until 4.1 version.

If you want to go outside Premiere, export the footage uncompressed and use VirtualDub to downconvert it. Also there are some other options using avisynth and VirtualDub, but it's more complicated. Just google it, if you want to give a try.
But I think that Premiere will do the trick, thanks to Maximum Render Quality.

 

[Antony M]

I thought redcine might be better. Had average results using CS3 with jagies and softness.

Is that a typo?
CS3 didn't support R3D files.

 

[jimhare]

I use Red Rocket or Red Rushes to make my SD files. I have found that it doesn't do anamorphic very well so I set it to 1024x576 instead of stretching to 720x576.

I edit native 1024x576 then use Compressor to make the final anamorphic.

Great results.