Recommended export settings from Avid to .mov? Keep losing saturation.
June 2, 2008 11:16 AM Subscribe
Recommended export settings from Avid to .mov (or anything better)? I seem to lose some color when using the "same as source" setting, but it's the only setting that gives me usable quality.
I'm using Avid Xpress Pro HD 5.2. I've always exported with "same as source" settings and it gives me a file that's totally playable, easily converted to DVD, etc. HOWEVER I have always noticed a definite change in the color in the exported MOV file, like it's been slightly desaturated or something.
Now that I'm experimenting with other export settings, I've discovered that it's possible to export Quicktime movie with the same coloring as how it looks in my project in Avid. I've experimented with different compression settings, such as Avid DV, Video, and of course, none (which results in a HUUUUUGE .mov file).
Unfortunately I am able to get the coloring I want, but the exported files jerk and skip when I play them in Quicktime. They play differently (but also wrong) when burned to DVD and played on a TV. So far, it looks like "same as source" and losing saturation is my best bet.
The final chapter of my saga is that I've been experimenting with converting .MOV files to MPEGs with Imtoo MOV Converter, and it gives me a video with all my saturation back. So now it seems I can FINALLY have a video file that looks the way I want it too... but I HATE the idea of so many conversions. Does this mean that the correct color information IS in my "same as source" exported .MOVs?
So I'd like to know if anyone can recommend any export settings that work best, look best, etc. I definitely want to convert these files to DVD and have them play normally, but I also want to back up my finished movies as high quality .MOVs that look how they're supposed to look.
Phew.
I'm using Avid Xpress Pro HD 5.2. I've always exported with "same as source" settings and it gives me a file that's totally playable, easily converted to DVD, etc. HOWEVER I have always noticed a definite change in the color in the exported MOV file, like it's been slightly desaturated or something.
Now that I'm experimenting with other export settings, I've discovered that it's possible to export Quicktime movie with the same coloring as how it looks in my project in Avid. I've experimented with different compression settings, such as Avid DV, Video, and of course, none (which results in a HUUUUUGE .mov file).
Unfortunately I am able to get the coloring I want, but the exported files jerk and skip when I play them in Quicktime. They play differently (but also wrong) when burned to DVD and played on a TV. So far, it looks like "same as source" and losing saturation is my best bet.
The final chapter of my saga is that I've been experimenting with converting .MOV files to MPEGs with Imtoo MOV Converter, and it gives me a video with all my saturation back. So now it seems I can FINALLY have a video file that looks the way I want it too... but I HATE the idea of so many conversions. Does this mean that the correct color information IS in my "same as source" exported .MOVs?
So I'd like to know if anyone can recommend any export settings that work best, look best, etc. I definitely want to convert these files to DVD and have them play normally, but I also want to back up my finished movies as high quality .MOVs that look how they're supposed to look.
Phew.
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Three things we have to do, for video (regardless of system/platforrm.)
Where are we evaluating it?
Is our system set up correctly?
How are we doing any conversions.
1) Where are you evaluating the footage? Your NTSC monitor? Or your screen? In any/all video software, we use an NTSC monitor as the final arbiter- as it's the representative of what we shot in our camera.
So How does your footage look on your NTSC monitor? This is the only gauge you can use to determine it's color. Don't use your computer screen as a basis to judge. The math is different for displaying images on your computer screen vs. your TV screen (since you're evaluating your DVD on a TV screen, this is where we have to look at it.) You are viewing your video on your calibrated monitor right? (google search on calibration: http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=calibrating%20ntsc%20monitor&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
2) Is your system set up correctly?
Avid is tremendously sensitive over versions.
What has to agree: Avid Version/Quicktime/Nvidia driver.
If you don't have these three exactly as avid's matrix shows, you'll have headaches.
Which version of QT did you end up installing (from your prior question?) Installing the wrong version of QT can cause shifts in brightness. You also should be at Avid 5.2.4 (preferably) LInk here http://www.avid.com/register/xprohd_cpr.asp. Which also would mean upgrading quicktime to 7.0 (7.0.3. Which I found here: http://oldversion.com/program.php?n=quicktime)
If you hit play and you're getting a 'shift in brightness' on your system, it's because you have the wrong nvidea driver installed. Back that avid doc, is nvidia driver 67.22 for xpro 5.2...and 77.18 for 5.2.4)
3) You should export as QT ref. This will save the most amount of space on your system. It should be identical to QT 'same as source' - as that just makes a copy of your video into a new file. The same as source will look identical if you import it back into your avid. (do this with 10 -20 sec of material rather than the full show.) I think of this as a digital master (like a video tape) and back it up, knowing I can restore it back into my 'workflow'
Let your MPEG-2 conversion software (like the sorenson squeeze that shipped with your system) do the MPEG-2
Feel free to ask followups/email me directly
posted by filmgeek at 8:27 PM on June 2, 2008