Interlaced video- progressive video – why do you need to know the difference and what to do about it?
Interlaced video is an artifact of older video formats but it’s still the way all HDV cameras create video. That’s what the “i” stands for in 1080i.
Interlaced video produces bad video online and when played on computers because those formats are progressive. Most DVD’s released are progressive. And all flat screen monitors are progressive.
If you’re shooting with a DSLR the chances are you’re shooting progressive video. Each frame is a complete frame of information in a progressive sequence rather than two frames, each with half the scan lines, interlaced to produce a complete image.
But it’s possible that you’ll need to mix progressive video and interlaced video on the same timeline. If so, it’s a good idea to convert your interlaced footage to progressive before dropping it in the timeline. You’ll thank yourself later when it comes time to render.
Here’s an article about a nifty tool that will process your interlaced footage into progressive video files.
http://www.geniusdv.com/news_and_tutorials/2009/11/software_for_de-interlacing_video.php
You can do the same thing in Apple Compressor or using MPEG Streamclip but you might find this tool fits your workflow better.
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