I've been having a strange problem when rendering an uncompressed 8-bit file (using the Blackmagic codec) to MPEG-2 using Compressor's high-quality NTSC 4:3 90 min setting. Every time, the resulting MPEG file has a strobe/flicker look, almost as though the field order has been reversed. I have tried reversing the field order in the Compressor settings, but I get the same result. I can use other MPEG 2 compresson apps such as MPEG 2 Works and the resulting file plays back fine. At first I thought my system was corrupt, but even after upgrading to Tiger (clean install) and FCP 5, I still have the same problem. I'm I the only one experiencing this?

No, I get weirdness with compressor as well.

I shoot and edit HDV with FCS. I have had some problems with compressor. I'm still having problems but not as many as before. Careful review of provided documentation has proved very helpful as well as running many tests. I've thrown different codecs and settings at compressor and then burned them all with DVDSP4 to review the results. There are many settings to tweak and the preview is very helpful if used wisely.

Careful with the settings though. I recently sent a 3 minute piece, no effects, to compressor and decided to max out all the settings. 3 days later (yes 3, dual 1.8, 2gig RAM) I've had better results with different settings that only took a 1/2 hour.

question for the gurus: when do you de-interlace... with FCP? 3rd party plug-in? compressor? (as it relates to HDV 1080i)


Lewis

Compressor is one of those things I personally try to avoid at all costs, so I'm afraid I can't help. But are you aware of the Compressor support forum on Apple's site?

http://discussions.info.apple.com/webx?14@420.AjsdawQP5Lf.0@compressor

I tried using Apple's 8-bit codec and to my surprise it worked fine with the Compressor presets. No flickering or strobing. So there must be an incompatiblity issue with Blackmagic Design's uncompressed codecs and Apple's Compressor; although I wonder why I haven't heard of others experiencing such a problem. There are a lot of Decklink users out there.

I tried using Apple's 8-bit codec and to my surprise it worked fine with the Compressor presets.

We use AJA's 10 bit codec and have no problems with Compressor. However, I think BitVice does a better job, but slower.

I have a Compressor droplet I will post so others can see if my settings are any improvement over what they are experiencing.

Here they are (http://www.daveperry.net/compressor_drops/compdrops.zip).