Progressive scan DVD?

[Rudyard]

I hope this is the correct firum, apologies if it isnt.

I understand the concept of progressive scan displaying lines in order and interlaced displaying odds then even (or vice versa)

But what I dont understand is what is needed to display a progressive image i.e. if I have a progressive scan DVD player will that play on my TV as I would imagine my tv would display an interlaced image. Or does the TV just display whatever its given, in which case all TVs are neither and can play both progressive and interlaced images?

Also do DVD's have to be 'special' progressive ones or can a player just display the normal DVDs that would normally be interlaced in a progressive mode?

Which would lead me to my ultimate question of when I author DVD's I have the option of the 'lower field' first, 'upper field' first or 'frame based' which I guessed is progressive? Should I use frame based and get a better picture?

Or am I misunderstanding the whole thing and if so could someone clear it up please!

Thankyou

[manono]

Hi-

But what I dont understand is what is needed to display a progressive image

Well, you'll need a progressive display (Plasma, DLP, LCD, projector of one sort or another, computer monitor, etc).

To use the DVD player's progressive scan abilities, you'll also need to be hooked up using either component or digital (DVI, HDMI) cables.

But no, progressive scan can't be used with standard interlaced TV sets.

Also do DVD's have to be 'special' progressive ones or can a player just display the normal DVDs that would normally be interlaced in a progressive mode?

Most movies are encoded progressively. For the ones that aren't, or for truly interlaced DVDs, such as those for many old TV series, many sporting events, many concert DVDs, the player will deinterlace them to make them progressive before sending to the display. Or the player can output 480i and the progressive display can do the deinterlacing.

Which would lead me to my ultimate question of when I author DVD's I have the option of the 'lower field' first, 'upper field' first or 'frame based' which I guessed is progressive? Should I use frame based and get a better picture?

I think you're talking about encoding DVDs and not authoring DVDs. When encoding, you have to know if the source is TFF or BFF. Whether you keep it the same or change it doesn't make much difference.

I'm working on a DVD now where all of the extras have been encoded interlaced, and really are interlaced, and some are top field first and some are bottom field first. The field order doesn't really have anything to do whether it's interlaced or progressive. Frame or field based doesn't make much difference either. Most DVDs are frame based, though.

I hope I got that right. Someone correct me if I've said anything stupid.

[Rudyard]

Thanks for the reply manono,

[i]Well, you'll need a progressive display (Plasma, DLP, LCD, projector of one sort or another, computer monitor, etc). [i]

Ok, I have a Philips 140cm rear projection TV that ive had for about 2 years. How can I find out if it is progressive? Does it simply state it in the features of the manual or am I looking for something more technical?

[i]I think you're talking about encoding DVDs and not authoring DVDs. When encoding, you have to know if the source is TFF or BFF. Whether you keep it the same or change it doesn't make much difference. [i]

Yes sorry I am talking about encoding. So I wont make clips I encode better by encoding them in progressive instead of interlaced?

Even if it is encoded interlaced it could still be displayed as progressive by the player or TV as you mentioned earlier?

[manono]

Hi-

I thought projectors were progressive by definition, but I could be wrong. But I was talking about the kind that throws an image onto an external screen. Doesn't your TV manual say? Or look up the exact model number on the Philips site or elsewhere and find out.

So I wont make clips I encode better by encoding them in progressive instead of interlaced?

Hehe, that's a matter of some contention here and elsewhere. It kind of depends on what the source is like. If progressive, then, of course, keep it progressive. If interlaced, then the usual advice is to keep it interlaced. It'll play better and more smoothly on a standard interlaced TV set, and if being played on a progressive display, you'll probably find the TV can deinterlace it better than you can do it yourself in software. There, aren't you proud of me, edDV?

Even if it is encoded interlaced it could still be displayed as progressive by the player or TV as you mentioned earlier?

Yep, progressive displays can only display progressive material. If interlaced to begin with, either the DVD player or the TV will have to make it progressive again by deinterlacing. If it didn't, you'd see combing/interlacing all over the place. And that's some ugly looking stuff. To see what it might look like, take a DVD of something shot with 30fps video cameras, a DVD of some interlaced material, and then play it with PowerDVD with the deinterlacer turned off, or set to Weave. You'll see what I mean. It's almost unwatchable.

[edDV]

manono

Rudyard,
This may help you to understand progressive DVD players.
http://www.dvdfile.com/news/special_report/production_a_z/3_2_pulldown.htm

You didn't locate yourself so I'm assuming NTSC land.

If your rear projection TV is a EDTV or HDTV, it probably has a 720x480p/59.94fps progressive mode. The DVD player would connect Y,Pb,Pr component or DVI/HDMI. Exceptions include some DLP projection technology that works 1080i/480i only and LCD projectors are always progressive.

Progressive DVD mostly uses film as source and is encoded 23.976 frames per second on the DVD. Frames are repeated in a 3 then 2 sequence in the player to build up to a low flicker 59.94 fps as described in the article.

A second kind of progressive source is a special 480p/23.976fps camcorder as described here.
http://www.adamwilt.com/24p/

720x480 progressive DVD is restricted to 23.976 fps only (NTSC)*. ATSC HDTV adds many more progressive modes as listed here.
http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/what_is_ATSC.html


* single field 352x240 (quarter D1) uses 29.97 fps. See
https://www.videohelp.com/dvd