Destructive Editing

No matter what I do, it kills me to see the loss of quality of the photojpeg. I can use any combination of settings, and avi is always better.

I hate that the codec/editing platform war has resulted in everyone having to use an inferior file.

Pond5 is one of the agencies that takes several formats. But the problem I have is that I submit to multiple agencies. And PhotoJPEG is the only format that ALL will take. So, rather than rendering multiple versions for multiple submissions, I just do one PhotoJPEG.

The only real problem I have with PhotoJPEG is that it often renders "blocky" gradients, especially when the gradient subtle. Just not enough available colors in PhotoJPEG to accurately render such a subtle color change.

There is no big difference in my files because i film with dslr (550d) so basically original files are .mov .. although there is a issue with gradient sometimes but you can smooth that out by using flat picture styles when filming and do some post .

Some things, like gradual sky colors, can't be repaired in Photojpg. I have tried every possible listed solution and just end up with grainy color banded video. I render the exact same file to .avi and it is flawless.

I have edited for a long time, and never had as much trouble with a file as photojpeg. Also, I get the random static areas. My camera shoots in .mov also, but it is .mov wrapper with a h.264 file, and it does not always convert well. The same issues with both time lapse (from photos) and video out of camera so I don't think it is related to the source file, it is just a bad file type.

What is worse, if I drag a photojpeg back into NLE it is banded even worse.

why do they insinst on sending PhotoJpeg when filmed in progressive?

P.S: will try to play around whit pjpeg soon and see what can be done (if anything at all)

Thanks Vla, it is frustrating to me. I tried a lot of combinations, and gave up on it. Works fine on some stuff, other things just is not acceptable. Especially time lapse from stills.

I understand it is 'industry standard', but just can't understand why. It really isn't a good file to re-edit. I guess in most cases it works ok, but never as well as an avi., and in some cases it just can't be used. motionjpeg works ok as a replacement in those cases that photojpeg won't work, I would almost rather just render everything in that. My gripe here is with industry standard accepting a limited file type, not P5, as I realize that it is not there doing.

I have never found a file better file for re-editing than avi., but I know some apple types have issues with avi.

Physics, what are you using to encode? I was having some of the same issues. Whatever I'm doing now I'm pretty happy with...I've found that in instances with delicate gradients like in a sky, or sun glows, hotspots, etc., I can get MUCH better results rendering out as 10 bit in Vegas (in the project properties).

Not to argue, but when I have dropped PJPEG .mov files I've created onto the timeline, I get better results with less groaning of the computer. I have also found that doing color correction on PJPEG .mov files is much more forgiving, and more fun.

I'm going to be playing with DNxHD capture and render in a few days. That codec is industry standard, and also wrapped in .mov. I will be comparing it to the various flavors of ProRes.

What are your render settings?

The only reason I had/have for converting and uploading into PhotoJpeg is that it is said to the the most universally used format by editors across platforms and the format accepted by all the agencies (that matter). Didn't want the work of multiple formats and archiving different versions.

I have the same problem w Photojpeg and subtle gradients: no matter the quality settings I choose I get the same bandings. It is really frustrating to loose high quailty video just because industry standard is a low quality codec. Pjpeg is a standard just because most or all of its patents have expired.

I have tried about every combination of settings, and mostly only have trouble with the sky areas also, but sometimes random other stuff.

I use AE 5.5 and render it quicktime 91% pjpeg. I have also tried a lot of the other QT options. The only one that works well is motion jpeg with the gradients, and nothing as well as AVI. I have the beast of a computer so I don't have to worry about the groaning whatnot. Just hate the color banding of pjpeg the most.

Greatest thing about avi., no experimentation required. Just select Avi., render, perfect. I also have neoscene avi., but dont render to that because it isn't common enough for editors. Looks great though.