HDV to SD DVD best methods and color space coversion

[Peterjames]

I am using Edius 4.54 with Procoder Express. NX PCIE card with HD comp output to monitor. My current method is to capture and edit in HD and output to SD DVD.
I am trying this Workflow
1. HDV source captured from camera to canopus HQ avi 1440 x 1080/50i top field first.
2. Edit HD HQ clips in project set to HD 1440 x 1080 with component output to Hd monitor
3. After editing, set project output settings to SD PAL 720x 568i (lower field first)
4. Export timeline via Procoder Express to make MPEG2 file for DVD authoring (8500kbps CBR for short videos)

After reading other posts on similar subject I see there is another method that some people are using who do not have Prooder 3 like me. At my stage 3. they are creating an HQ avi file from the timeline then bringing this into a new SD project. Is this file an HD file or an SD file they create from the first edited project?? I would assume this is an HD file?
Does this achieve the correct color space conversion??

Will my method of switching the project output setting from HD to SD after editing achieve color space correction prior to encoding to MPEG by PCE??

Also there is the question of field order, the HDV canopus HQ file is upper field first but when I switch to the SD PAL DV setting for project output default is lower field first. The final MPEG 2 file is upper field first.
Will i be better to export direct from the HD timeline direct to SD MPEG via PCE (without color space correction) to avoid any field issues?

Any help would be appreciated as my aim is to achieve the best possible SD output but retain the option for HD later.
Peter

[Khoi Pham]

When you export to MPEG2 from within Edius after switching your project to SD, color space conversion is apply, that is the way to do it if you don't have PC3. I have been doing like that for a long time with PC2 with excellent result.
Now if you make and HQ file and then load that into PC2 or whatever then you will need to apply the color conversion manually.

[Peterjames]

Since posting just noticed there is a PAL SD 720x578 D1 option in the project output settings, this is Upper field first. (at stage 3 above) Would this would be better than the using the PAL DV setting??? as it would match field order of HDV. Forgot to mention earlier all out put is 16x9 so no aspect ratio conversion is needed.

It would be helpful if GV could produce a technical help sheet for HDV to SD conversion detailing the best methods for both PAL and NTSC.
Peter

[Peterjames]

Thanks Khoi
I note you are in NTSC land and have option for SD with upper frame. Im rather concerned about the frame order not matching in Pal SD conversion. Have not used the PAL D1 as the intermediate format to enable color correction prior to PCE.
peter

[Bluetongue]

The fastest and best method is what you have been using, straight from the HDV time line to DVD.
The only time I export a HQ HDV file and place in an SD project is when the final project is required in SD 4x3 and the application of the "Layout" clips the sides of the 16x9 and then export straight to tape from the time line
Regards Barry

[Peterjames]

Thanks Barry
I am outputting to Pal SD 16x9 so will not require to use 'layout' to convert to 4x3.
I am still concerned about the 'field order' compatability for best playback so will be doing 2 tests with project output for SD set to Pal D1 on first test. 2nd test set to Pal DV mode to see if any noticable difference on final Mpeg2 DVD. (HDV canopus HQ files are upper field first, Pal D1 is upper field first, Pal DV is lower field first and Mpeg 2 is upper Field first via Procoder express)

[Khoi Pham]

If you are exporting from Edius timeline, it doesn't matter as long as when inside PC you have it set on upper field first, for me that is best playback compatable, I use both DV and D1 setttings from Edius and it seems like D1 looks a little sharper with 4.54 but I'm in NTSC so don't know about you people over there, you guys are strange, even driving on the wrong side of the road and have the date backworth.(-:

[Peterjames]

I have now tried both Pal D1 and DV outputs to PCE and both DVDs look very similar for picture quality.