Documentary and frame rates at DVinfo.net

Lynne Whelden · September 1st, 2013, 04:52 PM

I've shot several docs over the years but never with a camera where I have frame rate/resolution options like the Hero 3 offers.
I'll be distributing on DVD and Blu-ray. BR technically means I'm limited to 1080p24 or 720p60 altho wiki says many current BR players also support 1080p60.
Has anyone worked with these formats? Is it considered "okay" to switch back and forth between various frame rates AND resolutions, depending on the shot?
I have a week to finalize how I'm going to shoot my next project. Any input is appreciated.

John Wiley · September 1st, 2013, 06:28 PM

You can just shoot it at 60p and edit it on a 24p timeline - I doubt anyone would even notice any difference in the motion. This gives you the option of slow-motion too.

Lynne Whelden · September 1st, 2013, 07:08 PM

720 or 1080 at p60...should I stick with 720, taking the resolution hit, but avoiding any Blu-ray player compatibility issues? Or go with premium grade 1080 and cast my concerns to the wind?

John Wiley · September 2nd, 2013, 08:19 AM

Go for 1080p. It's easy to scale down if you need to! Plus in wide mode, the processing is much cleaner with less aliasing and moire at 1080p than 720p. In Narrow mode, however, 720p looks really good.

Woody Sanford · September 2nd, 2013, 09:07 AM

Shoot 1080 and deliver 720 on the BR. It's a doc, shooting 1080 gives you the ability to re-frame, zoom and do faux camera movements if need be in post without loosing anything. Especially when using something like a GoPro camera where re-framing could be a life saver.

Most HD is still broadcast at 720 and so are many BR's so you won't have any less quality than what people are used to and most larger TV's nowadays are just fine with 720. I wouldn't give up the wiggle room of the 1080 with POV cam's and I wouldn't be afraid to still finish in a 720 project for BR. I don't see any loss in doing that but the other way around is less flexible.

Lynne Whelden · September 2nd, 2013, 11:02 AM

Thanks for the input. This all makes sense to me.

September 1st, 2013, 04:52 PM	#1
Lynne Whelden Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: williamsport, pa Posts: 604	Documentary and frame rates I've shot several docs over the years but never with a camera where I have frame rate/resolution options like the Hero 3 offers. I'll be distributing on DVD and Blu-ray. BR technically means I'm limited to 1080p24 or 720p60 altho wiki says many current BR players also support 1080p60. Has anyone worked with these formats? Is it considered "okay" to switch back and forth between various frame rates AND resolutions, depending on the shot? I have a week to finalize how I'm going to shoot my next project. Any input is appreciated.

September 1st, 2013, 06:28 PM	#2
John Wiley Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 1,155	Re: Documentary and frame rates You can just shoot it at 60p and edit it on a 24p timeline - I doubt anyone would even notice any difference in the motion. This gives you the option of slow-motion too.

September 1st, 2013, 07:08 PM	#3
Lynne Whelden Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: williamsport, pa Posts: 604	Re: Documentary and frame rates 720 or 1080 at p60...should I stick with 720, taking the resolution hit, but avoiding any Blu-ray player compatibility issues? Or go with premium grade 1080 and cast my concerns to the wind?

September 2nd, 2013, 08:19 AM	#4
John Wiley Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 1,155	Re: Documentary and frame rates Go for 1080p. It's easy to scale down if you need to! Plus in wide mode, the processing is much cleaner with less aliasing and moire at 1080p than 720p. In Narrow mode, however, 720p looks really good.

September 2nd, 2013, 09:07 AM	#5
Woody Sanford Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Princeton, NC Posts: 161	Re: Documentary and frame rates Shoot 1080 and deliver 720 on the BR. It's a doc, shooting 1080 gives you the ability to re-frame, zoom and do faux camera movements if need be in post without loosing anything. Especially when using something like a GoPro camera where re-framing could be a life saver. Most HD is still broadcast at 720 and so are many BR's so you won't have any less quality than what people are used to and most larger TV's nowadays are just fine with 720. I wouldn't give up the wiggle room of the 1080 with POV cam's and I wouldn't be afraid to still finish in a 720 project for BR. I don't see any loss in doing that but the other way around is less flexible.

September 2nd, 2013, 11:02 AM	#6
Lynne Whelden Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: williamsport, pa Posts: 604	Re: Documentary and frame rates Thanks for the input. This all makes sense to me.