MOV DV codec? Are you sure?

Hi there,

new to this site and having problems with the requirements. :(

Are you really sure you want DV clips compressed with that Quicktime DV codec? The quality is abysmal! It's pale, full of noise and generally looks like a badly compressed mobile phone clip - but the file size goes up a bit.

No matter what settings I'm using or what programm (tried: AfterEffects, Premiere, Combustion, Avid, QuicktimePro), the result is always the same.

Compressed with Mjpg B works nicely though.

Oh... if "Buy a MAC" is the only answer - that's not an option.

Hi, Varius!

I'm also new to this place and started building my portfolio. I use "MPEG Streamclip" (http://www.squared5.com/) to convert my HD clips to QuickTime Apple motion JPEG B format and it works very well. Did you try it (it is FREE)?

Zygis

I don't have any problems with the Mjpg B codec.

It's the Quicktime PAL DV codec that doesn't work properly.

A little off topic... but... Hi Varius... from shutterstock... we should tell chad and the others about this place...

If the clips originate in the DV format (eg from a DV camera), it should be possible to maintain the exact same quality throughout, with zero quality loss. If there's visible quality loss, then something's wrong, and these clips shouldn't be uploaded.

If clips originate in a different, non-DV format, you should prepare them using the photojpeg codec (for progressive-scan) or motionjpeg-b (for interlaced).

If your material is DV-originated, and Quicktime DV isn't working for you, feel free to use mjpeg - it's very high quality, and we will accept it. But there is inevitably some quality loss when you convert from DV to another codec, so it should be avoided if possible.

Be sure to review our https://www.pond5.com/zh/index.php?page=document_view&document_name=video_requirements.

If you're still having problems, drop a line to tech@pond5.com with full details about the camera, software and workflow you're using, and we'll do our best to help you figure it out.

Some of my material is PAL DV originated and that's where I have these problems. The rest is progressive stuff - no problems there.

I've asked a friend with a mac to convert one clip to MOV PAL DV for me and the quality is ok - but he's definitly not doing that for all of my clips. ;-)

Anyway, I'll upload one DV originated clip as Mjpg B tonight and we'll see if it's working for you.

I guess uploading AVIs with PAL DV codec is not an option?

In order to standardize things for downloaders, we don't accept AVIs. Try this:

Using http://www.squared5.com/ open up one of your PAL DV files and choose "save as", then select MOV from the dropdown. This will simply re-wrap the same DV data into the MOV file type, and should be pretty much instantaneous.

If this works, it's the way to go - you can do batch processing this way too, and it's very quick.

If all else fails, mjpeg-b is OK for DV material.

BTW, what editing software are you using to generate your AVIs?

Adobe Premiere Pro 2 (on Windows XP Pro *yuk*) or Adobe Premiere 6.5 on Win2K.

I'll try the Streamclip thing tomorrow (when I'm awake - it's past midnigh over here).

Gonna upload a few progressive clips tonight. Gotta see how thing work over here and no problems with PhotoJPG. :)

By the way... Is there a way to get notified of replies to forum threads? It's a bit complicated to follow threads from a dozen or so forums and not get lost. ;-)

I was just thinking the same thing :)

We'll be adding email notification for forum updates soon.

Streamclips seems to be working ok. I'll upload a few and see what you think of them. Thanks. :)