marluc:

If you look at the clip before mixdown you see what looks like two color adjustmen icons. One should be the noise reduction and sharpening, but that icon is either gone or covered by another. It's not a plugin.  

Could that be because you've nested something?

Try in and out and mixdown a smaller section to test. Remove all effects, then mixdown the raw clip. Then add the first effect, mixdown again, then the second, mixdown again. 

Take note of the first mixdown you encounter the softness issue, Then you know which effect is causing the issue.

I'm not familiar with those codecs, I would Link then Transcode to DNxHD SQ

marluc:

should these SD files be imported as DV25 411 or as Pro Res?

For about 20 years I would record any really old VHS tapes and Umatic tapes to to a DV deck using the composite input. More recently SVHS out to a HDV deck. Then capture from that DV deck originally via Firewire  to DV format and later SDI to SD MXF. Sony had really good DV recording and Avid had a great DV codec .

Not nearly so sure about this workflow these days with Apple no longer supporting QuickTime.

Philip Kapadia:

I would Link then Transcode to DNxHD SQ

DNxHD is not available in SD projects, though.

I'd choose ProRes over DV. Or 2:1 Meridien.

Philip,

It is likely that's what happened....maybe.  I noticed that one ofd the icons was missing.  Whe I removed the visible one, the sharpening icon was revealed.  In the past, nesting was more complicated than just puttig two different iffects on one channel of video, but perhaps that too has changed.  I'll check that as a mixdown today.

marluc

Going back to the original question, I just created an NTSC 30i project, which reports as 720x486 when setting up. When attempting to export as MOV or MP4 (2022.4), the dimensions default to 'Custom, 720x496' but you can choose the correct preset from the emenu. Odd.

Roger,  I just spent an hour on the phone with an Avid technician (in Europe) who walked me through every step of my project from ingesting to output and encountered all the problems I have described. It seems that the latest release of Media Composer does just what you describe, and I have found, and it doesn't seem to allow for interlaced video no matter what your settings are. He found the problems to be just as weird as I do, and is sending the case to the American technicians. Who kows what will result but in the meantime it is a catastrophe for me!

marluc

I should add, this problem relates only to Mac OS Catalina, not to PC's!!

marluc

Well, Mac OS, anyway ... I'm on Big Sur, 11.6.4.

Right, Roger.  We've got to get Avid to do something about this--a patch perhaps?  

marluc

Job ter Burg:

Philip Kapadia:

I would Link then Transcode to DNxHD SQ

DNxHD is not available in SD projects, though.

I'd choose ProRes over DV. Or 2:1 Meridien.

ahhhhh

marluc:

Right, Roger.  We've got to get Avid to do something about this--a patch perhaps?  

marluc

You've reported it - not much more we can do I'm afraid!

Happy that you got to the bottom of it though

I may have missed this bit of info, but I am curious as to what tech / method was used to digitize the original files?

And just a side note (which may have already been addressed) but DNxHR does NOT support interlace in any fashion.

Jef

Jef, I canot tell you what method was used to convert the original files from 1/2 inch open reel tape, but I can tell you they were given to me in three formats:  Uncompressed 10-bit, pro res, and mp4. I imported the pro res files into media composer ultimate via the source browser with no problem and proceeded to edit and clean them up as needed. The problems emerged when I strted trying to export them and found that it was extremely difficult.  For one it's impossible to export interlaced on a Mac since Catalina and that's unfortunately what I have

My question now is whether I should bother with interlaced and just go ahead and let them be progressive and see what I get.

Any ideas there?

Thx,

Mary (marluc)

marluc:

Jef, I canot tell you what method was used to convert the original files from 1/2 inch open reel tape, but I can tell you they were given to me in three formats:

Ok, so from your response I surmise that someone else captured these files for you.  Is there any way you could share a small original file with us to inspect? ProRes would be best since that is what you are using.

As for the interlace issue, I will ask my normal question:

What is your end use for this project?  This is critical.  Converting interlace to progressive is hardly ever a good thing.  Mostly just degrees of less bad.  But sometimes you have to do it.  Other times not.  So you need to know what the final deliverable is.

Jef

 

 

In my quick test regarding the reported image aspect ratio, no digitised files involved. New Project, import a graphic and then try an export.

Job ter Burg:

Philip Kapadia:

I would Link then Transcode to DNxHD SQ

DNxHD is not available in SD projects, though.

Ahhh of course.