I'm downscaling out of the 1080 timeline for use in the 480 timeline. So 1080 out to 480. Then the 480 to mpeg-2. What intermediate formate will give the best results? What about field order for the int. file? Should I leave it progressive as the source 1080?

You don't need an intermediate render. Use the DVD templates as a starting point.
Your project timeline can match either the source or output.
In your project properties, select a deinterlace method and set rendering quality to Best.

But I'm compressing the video twice that way. I want the 1080-480 uncompressed for the 480 timeline - why would I not want to have the downconverted 1080 uncompressed for the 480 timeline?

Steve, unless I am missing something in your intentions, what has been recommended only compresses once, and that is when you render for DVD. There is no compression involved when you place 1080i footage on a 480i timeline - only when you render.

/jerry

I understand that.

I MUST however downscale the 1080 BEFORE I place it in the 480 timeline as I have a host of stills, text, graphics all created for the final output 720X480 mpeg-2. So in short - I will downscale the 1080 to 480, then take the downscaled 480 and import it into the 480 timeline.

So I'm looking to downscale the 1080 to 480 as lossless as possible.

see previous string: http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?Forum=4&MessageID=856380

I believe VideoTguy has the best solution and I'm looking to go intermediate with the best results.

If you get bored while you're rendering, you might read this thread

"

Nope. See my brief reply in the other thread your referenced.

Last time, you can place your 1080i footage on a 480i project timeline, with as many other sources, stills, and effects as you wish. This is done without any intermediate render or recompression whatsoever. The only compression occurs in the final render, not in the project.

1. Create a 480i project.
2. Set rendering quality to Best.
3. Choose a deinterlace method.
4. Do not worry about the field order.
5. Edit and render 480i MPEG-2. The DVD templates are a good place to start, with the bitrate considerations mentioned above.

Really, that's all there is to it in Vegas. Sorry that wasn't clear. Best of luck.

I've not long finished a similar project. My workflow was exactly as above (except I'm in PAL land). No pre-rendering/conversions. No problems at all.

Thanks guys. I had originally planned on going this route, but another member suggested the intermediate projects and I delved into that workflow. As the old adage goes: "The man with too many watches knows not the time." :-)

I tested out a few mpeg-2 renders from the 480i timeline and the downscaled footage appears sharper than intermediate footage.

So far so good - thanks again!

Steve M.

One little tip Steve (you'll find plenty of threads here regarding it) is to add sharpness at 'zero'.

I don't know why the zero sharpness trick works, but boy does it ever!

Is it necessary to change the timeline properties to 480 in this situation? Wouldn't you set the properties to match the original footage and then render to DVD ARCH and let the render itself do all the work?

"Wouldn't you set the properties to match the original footage and then render to DVD ARCH and let the render itself do all the work?

In this case, Steve has prepared some of his still assets and text at 480 already.

From his previous post:

"...as I have a host of stills, text, graphics all created for the final output 720X480 mpeg-2."

Sure. Makes sense.

"One little tip Steve (you'll find plenty of threads here regarding it) is to add sharpness at 'zero'."

Interesting - I most certainly was not aware of that trick; I'll search on the topic. Thank you.

"Is it necessary to change the timeline properties to 480 in this situation? Wouldn't you set the properties to match the original footage and then render to DVD ARCH and let the render itself do all the work?"

John is correct. I was going to match my still asset resolution to the 1080i project properties then render to DVDA, but it was suggested in an earlier string that I match the assets to the final output. It makes sense that the project's outlined graphics, .tga transparency overlays, etc. will render out sharper and less aliased if they're not downscaled along with the 1080i footage.

To compare, I created the a few of the still assets for both 1080 and 480; the 480 native assets were notably crisper as rendered to mpeg-2. Your mileage may differ.

BTW (and I hope not to get beat up on this) text in Vegas appears vastly sharper after rendering if you set the resolution as high as possible regardless of the project settings. I have of late been setting 1920 X 1080 for my text res. and it renders out nicely. I was struggling with blurry text at the 480 resolution and I discovered this solution - just passing it along.

Steve M.