Motion smoothness

[Konrad Bak]

Hi,
Is there a setting in resolve that corresponds with the motion smoothness feel ?
Stills from my movies look quite cinematic (for example https://vimeo.com/76205527) , but they lacks some art of motion smoothness I know from big screen feature movies.
I'm shooting 25fps 1/48sec . I think there is a jerky frame-to-frame feel on medium speed camera movements...

i'm exporting my movies with avid dnxhd codec

has anyone an idea ?
konrad

 

[Blair S. Paulsen]

There are several issues that could be in play. How the wetware perceives "smoothness" is based on a complex matrix of conditioned interpretation strategies developed over a lifetime of visual processing. Then mix in viewing metrics like screen size, high contrast vertical items in the frame, refresh rate, etc.

At the most basic level, some pan rates accentuate the perception of "judder" and others mitigate, but its always there whether you notice it or not.

Cheers - #19

 

[Konrad Bak]

I don't mean the fast pan frame jerk, it's normal. It's hard to describe, but the motion feel we all see on TV (also from scanned film ) is more natural and eye-pleasant than mine. I want to find out where is the difference.

 

[Paul Russell]

Codecs and compression ratios. It's the way the codec groups the frames together to squeeze the data.
My production system is PC and I find that even using the highest rated Avid DNXHD codec the same thing occurs. Outputting to a superior codec, like Cineform, removes the issue.

 

[Blair S. Paulsen]

I suppose long GOP artifacts could explain it, certainly not my first suspicion.

Are you creating 25P deliverables and counting on the display electronics to manage the refresh rate?

Cheers - #19

 

[Konrad Bak]

Codecs and compression ratios. It's the way the codec groups the frames together to squeeze the data.
My production system is PC and I find that even using the highest rated Avid DNXHD codec the same thing occurs. Outputting to a superior codec, like Cineform, removes the issue.

Paul, I've downloaded and installed free cineform codec from http://cineform.com/gopro-cineform-decoder . When I try to render a clip in resolve the system displays an error message: the video format is not supported. What am I doing wrong?

 

[MichaelP]

Are you referring to shutter and/or shutter speed? A mechanical shutter also looks different than an electronic one.

Michael

 

[Paul Russell]

Paul, I've downloaded and installed free cineform codec from http://cineform.com/gopro-cineform-decoder . When I try to render a clip in resolve the system displays an error message: the video format is not supported. What am I doing wrong?

You've only downloaded the free decoder. I own the purchase version.

But I think if you try Go Pro Studio One you get a free encoder that supports HD
http://gopro.com/software-app/gopro-studio
It certainly works in Premiere as I tested it on another production house's machine this week.

 

[Hrvoje Simic]

For a start try using 1/50 sec shutter for 25 fps projects. Also, different cameras have different representation of motion due to type of sensor scanning and processing abilities. Adequate camera motion speed to shutter speed is also a factor worth considering and testing. Judging footage characteristics on an online player introduces too many variables for an objective perception. For judging motion characteristics I suggest doing many tests and comparisons with least compressed material in controlled enviroment on a plasma or OLED monitor connected through a proper video I/O card.

 

[Tom Van]

Hi Konrad,

Seems like there's a bit of slow-motion applied. If there is, are you shooting at 25fps then slowing the footage down in post? I ask because this is the same jerky motion I see when adjusting the NLE's speed settings. In Premiere or Final Cut, neither interpolates the missing frames very well giving you a jerky look to the playback. There are plug-ins such as Twixtor that can give you smoother results in terms of motion, but the interpolations not perfect either... sometimes ghosting, or weird artifacts are introduced.

For best results, it's better to overcrank in Varispeed and let the camera handle the playback... it's usually butter smooth.

 

[Konrad Bak]

I've installed cineform. The codec is working in resolve, I've compared the stills - theres a slightly more compression in cinefrom than dnxhd. cineform files are 40% smaller than dnxhd.
"Motion smoothness" - I personally see no difference.

@hrvoje: I've tried all the combinations, 25fps 1/50, 24fps 1/48 and so on. The 25fps 1/48 seems to work best:
@ tom van : slo motion is applied on purpose only 2 times in Swan Spectacle, to match audio rythm and video movement. All super slo-mo is 120fps varispeed , native RED