printing still images from a video source

[Glen Irvine]

Hi folks.

I'm sure someone has done this already so here is the question. I
want to create a still image from a video clip, import it into photo shop
and then print it on my computer's printer. Can I do this and still maintain
any image quality at all? By the way, I'm editing on Final Cut 2 and using
Photoshop 6 to mess with still images. Is there a process that works and
what is it? Thanks in advance for the help. Glen

[Boyd Ostroff]

I use FCP 3, not FCP 2 but I imagine it's similar. Choose the desired frame, then File > Export > QuickTime > Still Image. Click the "options" button and choose your file format. Depending on your choice, there may be further options. For example, if you pick JPEG then you can set the quality level to the maximum. Give the image a name and click Save.

Now in Photoshop, open the image and edit as desired. It will be 720 x 480 pixels which is the maximum resolution supported by DV. However, since the computer monitor and printer use square pixels, the proportions will be wrong. Choose Image > Image Size then uncheck "Constrain Proportions". Now you can either change the width to 640 pixels or change the height to 540 pixels (depending on which you prefer, sharper or larger :-). This will bring the image back to the proper aspect ratio of 4:3.

Finally, you may want to experiment with de-interlacing the image using the video filters in Photoshop. Depending on various factors this may reduce "stair stepping" and enhance detail.

[Alex Knappenberger]

Actually, deinterlacing in Photoshop greatly decreases the quality...but it is necessary unless there is no motion in the frame captured.

[Rob Lohman]

Keep in mind that video images are pretty low resolution in
comparison to your printers needs. Ofcourse it does matter
at what size you will be printing. A friend of mine has a photo
printer that accepts standard photo size paper. This is much
smaller than a full A4 or Letter page and thus create better
pictures at lower resolutions.

I myself do not own a Mac and therefor cannot tell you how
to export your image. In Premiere I can go down to
"File -> Export Timeline -> Frame" and that will allow me to
save a picture of the current position on my timeline. I suspect
FCP will have a similar feature.

Best way is to save without a lossy compression like jpeg. On
Windows we usually use Bitmap (BMP), Targa (TGA) or PNG
for that. Again I don't know what the Mac offers you but I
suspect it will have some. Photoshop can read a lot of formats
so that should be no problem.

Do keep in mind that you need to resize your image for
correct size if FCP doesn't do it for you. A 720x480 picture
in NTSC should end up at 648x480 or 720x533. For PAL
720x576 it should end up at 768x576.

I hope this will help you some. Good luck!