Cleaner XL Settings (MPEG2 Files)

[robbyp3]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I was sent here by Autodesk Tech Support, after calling them to ask a question about a piece of their software...that for some reason they couldn't assist me with. The guy was pretty adamant that he didn't know much about how Cleaner XL works.

I am using Cleaner XL v1.5 to convert Quicktime Reference Files (:30 commercials) that I have exported from Avid Xpress Pro to MPEG2 files. I then FTP the MPEG2 files to a server where they are taken and broadcast over the air.

I'm pretty new to Cleaner XL, and was hoping someone could take a look at the settings I'm using to see if I'm doing okay, or if there are some values I could tweak to possibly get better quality, and not a giant file size. Right now, my files are coming in at about 30MB, and take about 5 minutes apiece to FTP, which is pretty good. They look alright, but I was thinking it could be better. Here are the guidelines that I have been given for MPEG2 creation:

Resolution: 720x480
Aspect Raio: 4:3
Stream Type: System Stream
Audio Type: MPEG 1 Layer 2
Audio Sample Rate: 48khz
CBR/VBR: 5 to 10 Mbps

and I've also attached an image of my settings for the Cleaner. I don't know what GOP Pattern is, or if I've got the right setting there, I'm hoping someone can lend a hand. Thanks in advance.

-Rob

[lordsmurf]

That's so pathetic that a company can't even give support for their own product, instead saying "go use this forum online, maybe they know".

Are your source files progressive shot or interlaced?

[robbyp3]

Tell me about it. I couldn't find any type of help on the web for CleanerXL...

Hmm..You know I'm not 100% sure. We are shooting on Sony DVCam tapes and a Sony DSR-500 camera. I'm going to guess we're at 30i, it's a standard def camcorder...I know there are no ways to change the shooting mode.

Just want to make sure we've got our settings in order, so that we're not missing out on something that could make it look better. Eventually we will be switching to shooting on an XDCam that's got many different shooting modes available.