What workflow for multiple output formats?

douglas_clark wrote on 3/6/2007, 5:16 AM

I am producing a travelogue video with PAL DV footage and photo montages. It will be shown via LCD projector at 1024x768 from a laptop PC. I will also produce a PAL DVD, and an internet version in Flash at 640x480. I assume that all the output will be 25p.

I have have used nested Veg's before, but I haven't got a fixed routine yet for these kind of multi-format projects. I'd like to hear suggestions structuring such a project, including project properties for the nested Veg files, and where the the process to deinterlace the PAL DV, and where to convert from Studio-RGB to computer-RGB.

The inputs will be 1) veg files containing Ult-S2 photo montages of 2-6 Mpixel jpg's, 2) DV PAL footage, 3) some title graphics sequences over photos and/or looped animation background. There will be some lower thirds on both photos and video, plus voice over and music.

My tentative plan is for the following properties for nested Veg files, but would like to hear other ideas
1) photo montages: project veg: 1024x768 25p square pixel, studio-RGB
2) DV PAL footage (interlaced): project veg 768x576 25p DV PAL (ie deinterlaced), studio-RGB
3) titles etc. project veg: 1024x768 25p square pixel, studio-RGB

I assume these will be assembled in a single Veg file with project properties 1024x768 25p square pixel. This master veg will include the voice over and music, lower thirds, titles. Color space converted to computer-RGB via plug-in in video output (except for DVD render).

The three renders will be
A) for projector: render to 1024x768 25p square pixel: what format?
-- which format is preferred for playback on laptop PC in 1024x768 full screen? wmv?
B) for DVD: render to 768x576 PAL 25p - DVD Architect PAL MPEG2 preset.
C) for Flash: render to 640x480 25p square pixel - QT mov (intermediate to Flash encoder)

Related question about playback on laptop PC for projector display: Which player software is recommended for use in a "show"? I only want the video to be visible...not the player or windows desktop, etc.

Is there a way to switch smoothly between programs running full-screen, without showing Windows task switcher or other garbage on screen? Ie. I want to avoid alt-Tab during the show, because it shows the task switcher when switching windows. For example to switch between two instances of the video player, or between video and powerpoint.

Douglas

Comments

johnmeyer wrote on 3/6/2007, 8:44 AM

I ran into some issues when using nested VEG files to convert down to different resolutions and different field dominance (HDV is upper, DV is lower). Spent a LOT of time on the problem and never completely figured it out. You have the field dominance of the original event; the field dominance of the project settings in the original project; the field dominance of the nested VEG you put into the second project; the project properties of the second project; and finally the field dominance in the Render As dialog in the second project when you finally render the results. You need to do a quick test, using a few second loop in your final project, and then burn to whatever media you are going to use, and then display on your final screen. I wish I could remember all the settings I used to get the correct result. As I remember, it didn't require anything unusual, but it made me realize that you have to make sure that you make sure all these settings are correct, and that if you are going from one field dominance (HDV) to another (DV), or if you are going to a format that can switch hit (like MPEG-2), then make sure you pay attention and do a test.

As to a workflow, I don't think there is any particular magic. Generally, I try to think ahead and do things in a way that requires as few rendering steps as possible. Thus, I will often render an entire project to MPEG-2, even if I have several sub-projects that will use only portions of that material. I then use Womble to cut/assemble the results. Basically, the idea is to render once; re-author "many," using portions of that single render.

kleb wrote on 3/7/2007, 9:20 AM

I have a PowerPoint to Vegas presentation that you can see here,

http://www.leblancmedia.com/projects/2/project_hope_podcast.htm

I imported the slides from PowerPoint, had to recapture some for better resolution, and recreated scrolling text in Vegas. I produced multiple versions for DVD, CD-ROM and podcast presentations.

Kurt

douglas_clark wrote on 3/8/2007, 7:17 AM

I guess the kernel of my question is: When intercutting interlaced PAL DV (25i) with a hi-res photo montage (1024x768) in a single Vegas project, to be shown from a laptop on a large screen with a 1024x768 LCD projector, which project/render settings would be preferred?

- 1024x768 25i - ie uprez the DV and let photo montage be interlaced, too, or
- 1024x768 25p - deinterlace the DV when uprezzing, photo montage remains progressive?

Both would be square pixel "multimedia" formats.

Or won't it make any perceptible difference on the projector (Acer PD321)? It is travel and landscape footage, very few places with "fast action". Photomontage has slow pans and zooms.

Does it depend on the software player used?