I was recently hired on at HD Creative Services to head up the File Encoding Department. My name is Rob and you can find my contact info at the bottom of this blog. Whether it’s encoding, color correction, closed captioning services, color grading, quality control, HDCAMSR or any other post-production services in Los Angeles, HD Creative Services can satisfy your needs. We also provide video production rentals.

Converting footage and files from NTSC to PAL is a tricky process. All sorts of problems like artifacts, misaligned audio tracks and badly blended frames can result from a poor encode. I recently took on the task of producing a high quality NTSC to PAL conversion for the feature film Bed and Breakfast starring Dean Cain, Bill Engvall and Eric Roberts. With this job quality was priority one. There were a number of pitfalls during the process. The source material already had some blended frame and interlacing artifact issues – not major problems but not ideal. I was also getting some artifacts and frame distortion on the first encode pass that were unacceptable.

Not getting the results I wanted using an Episode preset, I decided to break this job up into two steps. First, focusing on correcting the blended frames and interlacing issues then focusing on converting to the proper frame rate and resolution. Changing this into a two-step process increased the time it took to get the job done but greatly increased the quality. I’m happy to say that the new encoded PAL version of the film is higher quality than the original source material I was given to work with and the whole two-step encoding process for the entire feature film only took about three hours. We now have a PAL version of Bed and Breakfast that has clean cuts, smooth transitions, precise audio alignment and is virtually artifact free.

Robert Haynes

File Encoding Services

Ph/Fx: (323) 461 3715 • Sales: (323) 469 0209
robert@hdcreativeservices.com

Cannon 7D/5D DSLR Camera Dream Package

This is it! Make all your dreams come true! Everything you need in one package to get a film, TV pilot, commercial, documentary, corporate or webisode made.

Package includes:

Camera

1 x Canon 7D Mark II DSLR Camera

1 x Canon 5D Mark II DSLR Camera

2 x GoPro HD Motorsports HERO Cameras w/ Mounts & LCD Screen

1 x Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer Autofocus Lens

1 x Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar Manual Focus

Support

1 x Manfrotto 503 Tripod w/ Fluid Head + Head Plate

1 x Manfrotto 504 Tripod w/ Fluid Head + Head Plate

1 x Follow Focus for DSLR

1 x 7″ IKAN LCD Onboard Monitor +HD-SDI input  w/ Noga Arm

4 x 32GB (400x) CF Cards

4 x 32GB SDHC Cards

4 x Batteries

Sound

1 x Tascam DR-680 8-Track Field Audio Recorder

1 x Rolls MX422 4-Track Pro Field Audio Mixer

1 x Wireless Senheiser G3 Lavalier Kit

1 x Audio Technica Lavalier Kit

1 x Shure VP64A Dynamic Mic

2 x 4GB Class 6 SDHC Cards

Lights

3 x 1000W Flood Light Kit + Stands

1 x Green / Blue Screen + Stand

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Our special package rate is:

Daily – $400/Day

Weekly – $1,00/Week

Green Screen Kit

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Package rates are available based on availability.

Contact us HERE to book your package

or call us at (323) 469 0209

Cannon 7D/5D DSLR Camera Package

This is a camera package for the Canon 7D/5D DSLR camera that includes everything you need to get the most out of your production.

Package includes:

1 x Canon 7D or 5D Mark II DSLR Camera

1 x Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer Autofocus Lens

1 x Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar Manual Focus

1 x Manfrotto 504 Tripod w/ Fluid Head + Head Plate

1 x 7″ IKAN LCD Onboard Monitor +HD-SDI input  w/ Noga Arm

2 x 32GB (400x) CF Cards

2 x Batteries

1 x Tascam DR-680 8-Track Field Audio Recorder

1 x Rolls MX422 4-Track Pro Field Audio Mixer

1 x Wireless Senheiser G3 Lavalier Kit

1 x Shure VP64A Dynamic Mic

2 x 4GB Class 6 SDHC Cards

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Our special package rate is:

Daily – $250/Day

Weekly – $600/Week

Monthly – $2,000

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Package rates are available based on availability.

Contact us HERE to book your package

or call us at (323) 469 0209

VTRs & Post Gear

The HDCAM-SR format and tape was introduced in 2003 by Sony, as we natural development to the revolutionary HDCAM format of that time, and as the answer to the once HD mastering standard Panasonic D5 format. The HDCAM-SR, or as some call it HD-SR or HDSR in short, has introduced many ground breaking technological innovations, such as: 4:4:4 RGB color space recording using dual-link HD-SDI, recording in high-quality mode of 880Mbit/second, stereo 3D recording, recording/playback/ingest at 2x mode, the introduction of 1080p60 and 1080p50, 4K data recording, 12 tracks of audio and many other incredible innovations. In fact, one can argue that the HDCAM-SR tape deck is one of the most upgradable, versatile and capable post-production standalone gear in the market. No other machine is capable of doing so much.

So one may wonder, why is it slowly going away?

While it is true that the usage of HD-SR, making HDCAM-SR clones, digitizing, laybacks, making HD conversions and dubs and other tape based services is a critical part of our overall operations, we are objectively a huge proponent of tape-based media.

Yes, file-based workflow and acquisition has its place, and we are constantly dealing with, and quite enjoying, the processes of handling files and media in post where tape is not required, there is a point where relying strictly on files is simply too shortsighted in our opinion.

Files get corrupt, drives break down, media gets lost, partitions being formatted, operating systems can be incompatible among so many other potential issues. Tape based workflow is simply foolproof. An HDCAM-SR tape will play and produce the exact same results in New York, Seoul, London and Buenos Aires. Just like going to McDonalds.

No matter what type of production you are involved at – backing up and delivering on tape is simply the smart thing to do.

Contact us at HD Creative Services at (323) 461 3715 to discuss your HDCAM-SR tape needs or visit us here.

Outgoing Edit Systems Rentals

Are you in need of a FCP / Avid Edit System at your location?

We can help. We offer outgoing client-location edit systems rentals with full delivery, setup and installation.

We have several systems to choose for:

• Offline Editorial

• Online & Finishing

• 3D Editing

• Closed-captioning Creation

• Editorial for RED, Arri Alexa, CineForm, Uncompressed, ProRes, Canon 5D and more

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In addition we offer full service on all post gear and accessories:

• HD & SD VTRs (HDCAM-SR, HDCAM, D5, Digibeta PAL, Digibeta NTSC, HDV, P2)

• JL-Cooper Spectrum / MC-3000 Tactile Colorist Panel

• Tangent Wave Colorist Panel

• Monitors

• Teranex Converters

• Legalizers

• Waveform / Vectorscope Monitors

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Please contact us to receive a quote at (323) 469 0209

or

Contact Page

The bay comes with:

• 8-Core Intel Mac

• 3 Computer Display Setup

• 73″ 3D DLP

• Neo 3D CineForm License including First Light & ReMaster

• Speakers

• 16TB Fast eSATA G-Speed Pro RAID storage

• Video Card

• RealD 3D Gear + 5 3D Glasses

The bay can be networked with any of the other bays for projects that require more than one workstation.

Can be configured for FCP or Avid.

Storage can be upgraded without additional cost.

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Ideal for:

• 3D projects

• Feature editorial and offline

• Online and finishing

• Documentaries and long-term projects

• 3D files and CineForm

• RED, Arri Alexa, ProRes, DVCPro HD, Canon 5D H.264, Uncompressed RGB

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Some of the amenities included:

• 8Mbpsx2Mbps Cable and WiFi

• 1 Parking spot

• Central Hollywood location

• Access to patio for client meetings and lunch breaks

• 50% off on all tape-based operations, VTR uses, DCP, Blu-ray and all other delivery items with us

• 25% off on all our camera and production gear rentals

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To reserve this bay (Bay 4), please contact us at:

(323) 469 0209

or

Contact Page

The bay comes with:

• 8-Core Intel Mac

• 3 Computer Display Setup

•50″ 3D Plasma

• Speakers

• 12TB Fast RAID storage

• Video Card

The bay can be networked with any of the other bays for projects that require more than one workstation.

Can be configured for FCP or Avid.

Storage can be upgraded without additional cost.

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Ideal for:

• Feature editorial and offline

• Online and finishing

• Documentaries and long-term projects

• RED, Arri Alexa, ProRes, DVCPro HD, Canon 5D H.264, Uncompressed RGB

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Some of the amenities included:

• DSL and WiFi

• 1 Parking spot

• Central Hollywood location

• Kitchen and Bathroom

• Access to patio for client meetings and lunch breaks

• 50% off on all tape-based operations, VTR uses, DCP, Blu-ray and all other delivery items with us

• 25% off on all our camera and production gear rentals

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To reserve this bay (Bay 3), please contact us at:

(323) 469 0209

or

Contact Page

The bay comes with:

• 8-Core Intel Mac

• 3 Computer Display Setup

•50″ 3D Plasma

• Speakers

• 12TB Fast RAID storage

• Video Card

The bay can be networked with any of the other bays for projects that require more than one workstation.

Can be configured for FCP or Avid.

Storage can be upgraded without additional cost.

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Ideal for:

• Feature editorial and offline

• Online and finishing

• Documentaries and long-term projects

• RED, Arri Alexa, ProRes, DVCPro HD, Canon 5D H.264, Uncompressed RGB

**************************************

Some of the amenities included:

• DSL and WiFi

• 1 Parking spot

• Central Hollywood location

• Kitchen and Bathroom

• Access to patio for client meetings and lunch breaks

• 50% off on all tape-based operations, VTR uses, DCP, Blu-ray and all other delivery items with us

• 25% off on all our camera and production gear rentals

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To reserve this bay (Bay 2), please contact us at:

(323) 469 0209

or

Contact Page

Final Cut Pro & Avid Bay Rental

This is a private and comfortable 200 SqFt Final Cut / Avid Edit Bay

This bay has been used for some of the following projects:

• Trust – EPK editorial for feature with Clive Owen and Catherine Keener

• Lingerie Football League – editorial 2010 – 2011 season

• Isle of Dogs – feature film editorial

• Cherry – feature film editorial with James Franco

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The bay comes with a G5 Quad Mac, 42″ Plasma, Speakers, 4TB storage, Video Card and even a Green Screen installment.

It is very spacious and comfortable.

Can be configured for FCP or Avid.

Storage can be upgraded without additional cost.

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Ideal for:

• Feature editorial and offline

• Long form and corporate

• Music videos and promos

• RED, Arri Alexa, ProRes, DVCPro HD

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Some of the amenities included:

• DSL and WiFi

• 1 Parking spot

• Central Hollywood location

• Access to patio for client meetings and lunch breaks

• 50% off on all tape-based operations, VTR uses, DCP, Blu-ray and all other delivery items with us

• 25% off on all our camera and production gear rentals

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To reserve this bay (Bay 1), please contact us at:

(323) 469 0209

or

Contact Page