Lightworks workflow test using DNXHD codec for output into 720p
Video Association of
Dallas' 24
Hour Video
Race 2013 is over, and once again, the tensest moments were during the rendering process. The race has strict requirements on turn-in format. It must be 720p
H264 mov.
Last year I was the only crew member, and I managed to complete the project late, so it was shown out of contest. This year we had about 10 very talented people. I was the only one with a PC, everyone else had macs. We didn't have any sort of worklfow set up. It was coming down to the wire, and I had to choose between getting a subpar render and being out of contest. I chose the first.
Since turning the movie in,
I've been researching and testing, and discussing with my 2nd AC what we could have done better.
Below is what I've come up with, and the results of the test are in this video.
For the future, I may also set up at least two networked stations running Lightworks to minimize imports and exports.
1. Set
Canon 7D settings to record
RAW at the highest resolution at
29.97 frame rate
2. Import RAW
MOV files into
Adobe Media Encoder
3. Encode files to
Avid DNxHD -
Color levels
709,
Alpha None,
Resolution 1080p/29.97 DNxHD
2280 8-bit, quality 90 using Adobe Media Encoder
4. Import into Lightworks (requires the Avid
DNxHD codec license, available from EditShare)using the "link" option.
5. Export to
AVI UYVY, 29.97 fps,
HD 1080, 1920x1080, 48khz sample rate. This is an uncompressed format.
6. Import into Adobe Media Encoder
7. Export to 720p H264, 29.97 fps using Adobe Media Encoder
I don't like the 720p H264 too much with this workflow, but it does look presentable. Were I to do it again, this would be what I would turn in.
Changing step 7 to export to
1080 H264 gives really good results, great for uploading to Youtube, which I will do once the moratorium on upload passes.
David
Director,
Wolfpack Penthouse