Ensuring best quality HD to SD

[Phil]

Hi

I shoot either in 720p or 1080p for different projects, but for any one shoot I produce a blu ray and a standard DVD disc (pal). I'm simply looking for clarification on best practice for transfers to MPEG2 to minimize loss of picture quality. I understand some loss is inevitable going from HD to SD, but a best practice for everyone is worth knowing.

My questions are,

1/ After applying my colour grades and FX to my project, am I best rendering the clips firstly in the SAME format they were taken? Then afterwards, take the enhanced HD clip and convert to MPEG2. Or, does it not really matter - just apply the effects and render all in one go to MPEG2?

2/ Is it better to downgrade from 1080p rather than 720P?

3/ I use 2 pass encode, 100% quality in my settings and ensure no re-rendering takes place on burning. Any other rendering or burning settings you recommend?

4/ Finally, on a 50" TV, the results are fair-good for the burned SD DVD. However, even commercially made films from the 80's still look better. Do they use a higher bit rate or different compression method?

Thanks

[skier-hughes]

Hi

My questions are,

1/ After applying my colour grades and FX to my project, am I best rendering the clips firstly in the SAME format they were taken? Then afterwards, take the enhanced HD clip and convert to MPEG2. Or, does it not really matter - just apply the effects and render all in one go to MPEG2?

I would go direct from the time line to the mpeg2 file.

2/ Is it better to downgrade from 1080p rather than 720P?

1080p, always start with the very best file you can.

3/ I use 2 pass encode, 100% quality in my settings and ensure no re-rendering takes place on burning. Any other rendering or burning settings you recommend?

Depends on who is viewing the disc and what equipment they have. For best compatibility with dvd players a maximum bitrate of 8,000 including audio would be best. If it's just yourself, then you can keep trying higher and higher bitrates until you get to the maximum allowed under the mpeg standards of 9800 Kbit/s inc audio. So maybe 9500 for video and 284 for audio. Use ac-3 audio for better quality and lower file size.

4/ Finally, on a 50" TV, the results are fair-good for the burned SD DVD. However, even commercially made films from the 80's still look better. Do they use a higher bit rate or different compression method?

Lots of factors here. They have encoders that cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, where as you have a video editor with an encoder include for £50!! You could get better results by buying a separate encoder, but it depends on how much you have to spend and how much better you want your quality to be! You won't see amazing differences on spending a fair bit of money. This is one of the best http://www.scan.co.uk/products/canopus- ... -converter
The commercial discs may also have tens of passes made and will come from a glass mastered disc, pressed, rather than burned. All make a difference.

Thanks