Unsure about Sequence Settings for different resolutions and different framerates

Report · Feb 06, 2020

Hi! I am editing a project where the majority of imported clips are at 4K 29.97fps, but also some 1080p, 120fps clips.

I want to export at 1440p at 24fps.

Right now my sequence settings are 3840 x 2160 and 29.97fps. Something's telling me that is not right, and that is why I am here and looking for help.

My questions:

1. When I use the Full HD clips I need to upscale them by 200% to fit the 4K screen, but because it will then be exported in 2560x1440.

Is premiere ultimately only upscaling it 150% becasue the final resolution is smaller OR will it first upscale to 200% and then downscale from 4K to 1440p in which way I would be losing a ton of quality?

2. If I import a clip that is 29fps and I then slow it down to 80%, making it 24 fps. Is this a porblem if I export 24 fps?

3. I guess it all really comes down to the final and simple question: What should my sequence settings be to not lose quality? Does it depend on th einput or output or neither? I'd still love to hear the answers to questions 1 and 2 to understand the processes behidn the screens of Premiere better.

I'd really appreciate any help, thank you!

Marko

Report · Feb 06, 2020

I'd say conform to your delivery settings of 2560x1440p24. So, set your Sequence to a frame size of 2560 x 1440 at a frame rate of 24 (or 23.976 is you're using 23.976). Then scale your 4K footage down to fit and your HD footage up to fit.

If your footage does not have sync audio, you can use the Interpret Footage dialog box to conform 29.97 to 24 and 120 to 24. Of course, you'll see a speed change as a result. If it's sync audio and you don't want a speed change, then test placing 29.97 and 120 in 24 with the Time Interpolation of each clip set to Optical Flow. Or, see if you can deliver 2560x1440p29.97 or 2560x1440p30 instead.

Have you ever used Replace with After Effects Composition? You could send your 1920 x 1080 clips to After Effects and use the Detail-preserving Upscale effect to get a better picture quality upconversion to 2560 x 1440.

Your 29.97 footage is progressive, correct? If interlaced, you'll want to be sure to separate the fields when confomring to 24.

Report · Feb 06, 2020

Hey thanks for the quick reply!

I think I will do that, but it will be a lot of work because now I need to reposition every shot to match the new resolution. Or will it be done automatically?

I just want to make sure before I commit to this change that it is definitely how I should have it.

I know I've also had this problem in Nuke when I was never 100% sure if I should set my porject/sequence based on the output or input.

Are you 100% positive that I am loosing quality with the current settings that I have now?

I did interpret footage to 24 with some clips. but sometimes I dont want to slow it down that much. And sometimes I also didnt see much difference when I changed the footage interpretation on some clips that were already in the timeline so that confused me if it's actually doing anything of if I have to drag the clips to the timeline again.

And as for the Replace with AE, that's sounds very cool! I've never used AE to be honest, but I am sure that wont be hard. Thanks a lot for the tip!