Please check my 4K workflow.

[wsalopek]

Hi folks,

I'd like to make sure I have this workflow correct to maintain best quality (as I define it) of final product:

1) Shoot video in 4K from a GoPro...in my case, a GP3 Black so I am am 15fps...(it's very slow moving subjects, so it's not too bad).

2) Import into VS (do I need any particular settings as I import?).

3) Edit...including using video pan/zoom...figuring that even when zoomed in, I can maintain at least 1080p, as long as I don't zoom in too much. THIS IS THE HEART OF WHAT I AM TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.

4) Share using 1080p settings.

Thanks....

P.S. Is there a way to convert my 15fps footage to something higher with VS? And/or...what does VS do to a video when the import fps is 15 and the output is 30? Does it just double each frame? Does it interpolate? Thanks...

[Ken Berry]

In Preferences > General, have you ticked the box beside "Show message when inserting first video clip"? If so, you should get a message when you insert your first 4K video clip asking if you want the Project Properties to match those of the clip. Then, when you have finished editing, you can go to Share, and at the very top of the Options is a little box, unticked, beside "Same As Project Properties" (and a dropdown "Same As First Clip"). If you select that, then the output should be identical to the original.

If you select another output option with higher frame rate, then my understanding is that VS will interpolate frames, and if there is a lot of action in the video (as there often is in GoPro footage), it might look rather jerky... which spurs me to take some 4K footage with my own Hero 3 Black. I have never done so before because of the low 15 fps frame rate. Didn't think it was even worth trying and in any case I don't have a 4K monitor or TV to play it on. I also see that the new Hero 4 has significantly increased the frame rate available in 4K...

[wsalopek]

Ken,

Thanks for that.

GoPro...

I find the 4k 15fps framerate beneficial if:

1) The subjects are moving hardly at all.

2) I have a 1-camera setup where I can't touch it for the whole performance (or whatever), and therefore can't do my own pans with the camera...like when it's at the front of a stage, and

3) When I know I will want to use video pan-and-zoom during editing, which means quite a bit of cropping (down to maybe 1920x1080 or even a bit lower if I have to), which means unless I have a lot of pixels to start with, I am going to end up with a crappy looking end result.

And to clarify my original question...

I am starting with 4k, and want to output 1080p (1920x1080)...not 4k...so is your answer the same given that clarification?

Thanks...

[Ken Berry]

Ah... well, I guess my answer in that case would be summed up by my reference to interpolation of frames... and I can only suggest you play around yourself with your footage to see if the result is worth the effort. And again it depends on exactly how much movement there is on the stage you are filming. If it's an orchestra, the strings and tympani sections in particular would still have a lot of fairly rapid arm movement which could become the jerky bits with interpolation... but it is only you who could judge how acceptable any jerkiness might be in any particular video. So try it with just a short part of your video, and one with the most movement...

[wsalopek]

OK...thanks Ken.