Support for DVX100, DVX100A and Canon XL-2
DVFilm Maker Release 2.0 supports all 24P MiniDV Cameras.
It allows you to edit in a true 24P timeline, using older versions of Premiere, Final Cut Pro, Vegas Video, or many other DV editing programs. Even if you have the latest versions of Final Cut Pro, Vegas, or Avid Express DV Pro, there are features in DVFilm Maker you will find useful, like for converting 24P to NTSC with a 3:2 or 2:3:3:2 pulldown.
Any source of NTSC can be converted to 24P, not just 24P Advanced Mode (2:3:3:2 pulldown) , but also 24P Normal (3:2 pulldown), or video which was shot on film (3:2 pulldown), or regular interlaced video (60i), or even PAL.
Maker also converts 24P Quicktime back to NTSC video with a 3:2 pulldown.
It also can convert 24P Quicktime back to NTSC with a non-recompressed
2:3:3:2 pulldown, for archive to tape, and can then re-convert
that tape back to 24P, without recompression-- a feature which
is missing from many editing programs that support the DVX100
and XL-2.
The Windows version (release 2.4) can also remove 3:2 and 2:3:3:2 pulldown from HDV (.m2t) files.
How does it work?
When removing 2:3:3:2 pulldown, DVFilm Maker compares every field in the movie to the field in the next frame
ahead. It looks for a closer than average match. Since the repeated
fields match each other more closely than non-repeated fields,
the repeated fields can be identified and removed. In the 2:3:3:2
mode, the removed fields will always happen to fall in the same
frame and so the entire extra frame is removed. The movie is output
as 23.976 frames per second, and the soundtrack is copied over
as-is.
Why 23.976 frames/sec instead of 24?
For historical reasons, NTSC runs .1% slower than 30 frames per second (29.97), so the converted footage runs .1% slower than 24 frames/sec in order to keep the sound in sync. When the 23.976 final cut is converted to 16mm or 35mm, the movie is projected .1% faster and ends up at exactly 24 frames/sec. The sound is also sped up by .1% to match. This small increase in playback speed is not noticable.
DVFilm Maker also has the option to output at exactly 24.00 frames/sec. In
this case the audio sample rate is changed to 48048 Hz (.1% faster
than 48KHz). This option works better with some editing programs.
Even if you edit at 24.00 you can always convert back to 23.976P
for making a progressive-scan DVD.
How do I play back 24P in real time when I'm editing in a 24P timeline?
There is a display card product made by ATI (www.ati.com) called Radeon 7500 which retails for about $90 (Mac or PC). We use this product on our workstations at DVFilm. It allows you to have two monitors, one of which can be an NTSC monitor. The Windows or Mac desktop is extended across the display area of the two screens. All you have to do is drag the editor's preview window to the NTSC monitor. It will show you the video at 24 frames/sec, with a 3:2 pulldown, with approximately the same contrast and color as if it were playing back through the Firewire port. The sharpness of the image is about 50-75% full resolution, depending on how well you can make the preview window fill the screen. The same thing can be done with the Quicktime player.
Will DVFilm Maker convert back to NTSC for broadcast or digital projection?
Yes, it will convert 24P to NTSC with a 3:2 pulldown for film-motion presentation on video.
Can I make 24P Progressive-scan DVD's?
Yes, click here for details.
How does it compare with FCP4/FCP-HD ($1000), Blade 2.0 ($500) or Apple Cinema Tools ($1000) for editing DVX-100 footage?
The results will be the same. However DVFilm Maker is only $145 and allows you to use the existing video editing software that you already know and love!
Will it undo a 3:2 pulldown if I shoot standard 24P mode?
Yes, however we do not recommend shooting 24P standard mode. Results with 24P Advanced mode will be better. Here is why.
Can I try a demo?
Yes, go here to find downloads.
For suggested settings of the DVX100 camera, click here.
Detailed instructions on the 24P Options are here.
When will release 2.0 be available for sale?
It's available now, click here to order the Windows version, or here for the Mac version.
Join the discussion group on DVFilm transfers and DVFilm software, click here.
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