How to produce a movie from single frames?

TheLaird wrote on 12/9/2011, 6:03 AM

I am thinking of getting some old 8mm cine film digitised and one of the options offered by the converter is "image sequence". The output would be a very large number of single jpeg images, with a frame rate of 18 frames per second. I think it should be possible to use Magix Movie Edit Pro MX to convert the images into an HD movie in PAL format (25 fps). I assume that the image length should be set to 1 frame in Program Settings / Video, but how would I change the frame rate from 18 to 25, while retaining the correct film speed?

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 12/9/2011, 3:01 PM

By having the cine film digitised as an image sequence I presume you mean each frame is a single image file with the file numbering in sequence.

If this is correct - I would advise strongly against doing this for several reasons - sorry if this sound 'doom laden' however hopefully the reasons below will show why.

1. The number of images you are going to import and adjust is going to be huge.

2. The individual image quality will be poor due to the size and nature of the cine film.

3. Adjusting from 18fps to 25fps will cause problems - either you will end up with a 'Keystone Cops' style movie - or jerkiness in the flow of action because you have to make up the 7 missing frames using the still images you have ie duplicate some of them.

3. The final result will not be up to HD standard because of 2. This is not a problem if you want to keep the 'old cine style' feel of the movie.

If you are having the cine film digitised professionally then these problems should be resolvable by the digitiser.

If you are doing the conversion yourself then I would suggest the cine film is digitised direct to a lossless video format if possible if not to the highest quality mpg possible.

HTH

John

TheLaird wrote on 12/9/2011, 3:19 PM

Hi

By having the cine film digitised as an image sequence I presume you mean each frame is a single image file with the file numbering in sequence.

If this is correct - I would advise strongly against doing this for several reasons - sorry if this sound 'doom laden' however hopefully the reasons below will show why.

1. The number of images you are going to import and adjust is going to be huge.

2. The individual image quality will be poor due to the size and nature of the cine film.

3. Adjusting from 18fps to 25fps will cause problems - either you will end up with a 'Keystone Cops' style movie - or jerkiness in the flow of action because you have to make up the 7 missing frames using the still images you have ie duplicate some of them.

3. The final result will not be up to HD standard because of 2. This is not a problem if you want to keep the 'old cine style' feel of the movie.

If you are having the cine film digitised professionally then these problems should be resolvable by the digitiser.

If you are doing the conversion yourself then I would suggest the cine film is digitised direct to a lossless video format if possible if not to the highest quality mpg possible.

HTH

John

Thanks for the answer John and yes, you are correct in the first part, it would be a sequential seriesof single image files. The conversion would be done professionally at HD quality - by this lot:

http://www.alivestudios.co.uk/cine-film-to-dvd.php#outputs

They claim "you can drop the image sequence into editing software to build your own movie…"

However, I think it would probably be a safer option to go for one of the other outputs such as ProRes HD, which I believe can be put into Magix Movie Edit Pro MX - they tell me it's virtually the same as Quicktime.