RE: 1080i format question

[Mathew Sherman <msherman(at)ctv.ca>]

Yet again I must remind everyone that saying “1080i” does not have anything to do with frame rate. People are getting confused when people tell them “we need 1080i” that it somehow precludes them from working at 24PsF. But the only thing truly that 1080i means (in this case I am referring to the HDNet spec) is that they do not want 720P originals. Sony HDCAM is a 1080i format regardless of what frame rate you are using. 24P is also 1080i and that is exactly what HDNet means. They don’t like DVCPRO-HD since it’s low bit rate (100Mbps) and is a 720P format (natively).

In terms of what to do for a possible film-out well definitely working progressive will help the film look better, however these days there are such good de-interlacing tools that I bet one would have a hard time telling the difference between 59.94i (proper term) or 23.976PsF on the cinema screen once all is said and done, properly.

 

Regards,

 

Matt Sherman.

 

ps- 23.98PsF is very much alive, as is 25PsF. It’s the HDV stuff that is messing everything up by being CHEAP and strictly interlaced.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Derek Herr [mailto:DHerr(at)rioting.com]
Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 8:18 PM
To: DS(at)Softimage.COM
Subject: RE: 1080i format question

 

Russ,

 

HDnet’s loss if they don’t accept 24p stuff anymore; you’re right about the channel… it’s hard to find much new content there that isn’t 60-field—but then again, HDnet seems to be relegated to documentaries, travelogues & news.

 

But from where I sit, 24p is still very much “the” look...  60-field stuff oddly still has that “low-budget” stigma even in HD where it can be quite stunning.

 

Interesting how we have come to associate the different field/frame rates with specific kinds of content.

 

Derek

 

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From: owner-ds(at)Softimage.COM [mailto:owner-ds(at)Softimage.COM] On Behalf Of Russ Grycza
Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 6:35 AM
To: DS(at)Softimage.COM
Subject: Re: 1080i format question

 

Hi Derek and Ken -

 

We did a show for HDNet - it was a year in the making - and when we first contacted them, doing it at 23.97 and making a 60i master for them was fine, but by the time we actually delivered, they only wanted material originating at 60i because of the increased clarity and sharpness. They didn't "filmlook" type stuff. I'm sure they've got a library of things that were originally shot at 24p when HD was first getting started, because that was the "hot" look, and they'll keep running them as long as they've got the rights, but I believe now they only want 60i originals.

 

Russ

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Derek Herr

To: DS(at)Softimage.COM

Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2005 5:56 PM

Subject: RE: 1080i format question

 

If your show is for television with a possibility of film out, then you really should be shooting 1080/23.98p, not 1080i.  Check with HDNet and see if they are *really* that concerned about the frame rate or your camera origianls, or if they are just making sure that you’re not “uprezzing” from a format with lower spatial resolution.

 

I have seen material broadcast on HDNet that is 24 frame originated and it looked too clean & stable to be a film transfer.

 

If you shoot 1080/23.98p, then you can edit offline 23.98fps or 24fps on Avid, finish 1080/23.98p on your Nitris, and then do a cross-convert to 1080i for delivery to HDNet.  TaDaaa….

 

Cheers!

 

Derek

 

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From: owner-ds(at)Softimage.COM [mailto:owner-ds(at)Softimage.COM] On Behalf Of Ken Sirulnick
Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2005 12:01 PM
To: DS(at)Softimage.COM
Subject: 1080i format question

 

What are the pros and cons of shooting 1080i on either DVCPro HD vs CineAlta if the final project will have a film out?  The main use of this is television (HDNet is requiring camera originals to be shot at 1080i) but there will possibly be a film out.

 

TIA

 

KEN