Panasonic AG-UX90 and frame rate conversion

[Brit.b]

I am considering upgrading from an older Sony VG20 to a Panasonic AG-UX90, which has revived great reviews. I have been living in a PAL country, so I have used 50p sequences and then converting it to 25p when exporting the sequences. The AG-UX90 only does NTSC 60p, 30p and 24p. I don’t use the camera for TV, just for weird little “art videos” occasionally used at festivals and art galleries so frame rate is not that important (though one now requires 24 fps). I also use a lot of slow motion. I’m starting to use 4k.

My question is that if I start exporting 60 fps as 24 fps, and occasionally bring in my 50p clips in a sequence with the newer frame rates... all to be exported at 24 fps, will this camera be OK (using time interpolation)? This camera is 2-3 k less (in NZD) than its more advanced sister models (such as the AG-UX180) which does 50 fps in addition to NTSC. Another option is to pay a little bit more for the older 4k Panasonic HC-X1000 which also does 50fps and would be consistent with my older clips. Any suggestions?

[Ann Bens]

If I were you keep it all 50 and 25.

MIxing so-called ntsc framerate with pal-framerate can be a big pain in the ....

[Brit.b]

I'm thinking of switch all my video to a 24p output since its become a standard, so I suppose that I'd need to use the "optical flow" time interpolation and re-render clips either way, and take all future video at 24p? (I'm not sure if adobe has fixed the optical flow for transitions "bug" yet?) ...Or I'll need to spend another $800 NZD for the older HC-X1000.

[Ann Bens]

Why do you think 24p is a standard?

[Brit.b]

I converted one file to 24  fps because of one film festivals that I screened it, required it - so I thought that perhaps this frame rate was becoming a world standard (and I had read that it was "the new standard"). That said, it was only one of dozens that I applied for last year (and 4 that I got into). It was a pain to convert it from 50/25 to 24 (cutting out all transitions while using an optical flow elsewhere). But I think I decided to go with the on that does 50p to be constant with my other cameras. Thanks for your advice!

[Ann Bens]

Find it odd only 24p is accepted.

I go to filmfestivals in my country (Holland) and all framerates are accepted.

as long as its usb (mp4) or dvd or bd.

[excited_Genie16B8]

If the 50 fps clips are Modified to play at 24 (slow motion), you're good.

[Brit.b]

Sorry, what does " 50 fps clips are Modified to play at 24" mean?

[excited_Genie16B8]

Modifying clip properties with Interpret Footage in Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro Learn & Support

[Brit.b]

Ann, a festival in Australia (Channels) recently asked me to convert a video from 25p to 24p.

Jim, I don't think my problem is that the footage is interpreted incorrectly. I simply need to get rid of choppiness when going from 50p or 25p to 24p. It was solved by using optical flow (though I need to cut out all transitions and process them normally since optical flow does weird things to transitions).

However I do have an occasional footage problem. When I used to bring in different footage into a timeline -say dragging a 4k clip into 1080p sequence, it would come in fine (but it would ask to convert the sequence if another clip is not on the timeline). On the latest Premiere, only the audio comes in. I can no longer drag a 4k video onto a 1080p timeline, or a 90 fps go pro video clip onto a 25p timeline. I only can copy and paste such a clip from its own timeline into the smaller resolution or slower spreed sequence. ...but maybe this problem needs a new thread?

[excited_Genie16B8]

I don't think my problem is that the footage is interpreted incorrectly.

I wasn't suggesting that.  Sorry if I was unclear.

What I was saying is that if you use Interpret Footage to make the PAL media slow motion, then you won't have any issues adding it to your ATSC project.

If you intend the PAL footage to be real time, then things go weird.  My recommendation would be to just not do it.  Shoot everything PAL or ATSC, don't mix and match.

[Brit.b]

Thanks! I decided to stick to a PAL camera (a Panasonic HC-X1000) since it is a hassle to use optical flow and then to cut out all transitions - which makes a reasonable conversion. One other related question: Perhaps using 60p (with more frames per second) might work better for slow motion using your technique while bringing it into into a PAL timeline? or is there little noticeable difference between 50p and 60p when usinf at 25% for slow motion?

[excited_Genie16B8]

I like the aesthetic of 60% slow motion.  Shooting 60 for 24 playback is too slow for my taste, so I tend to just shoot everything at 24 and use Optical Flow or Frame Blend for slow motion shots.