Producing Content for Mobile Delivery
For content shot on 24 fps film and delivered on 30 fps videotape, apply an inverse telecine filter, which will remove the 3:2 pulldown added in the telecine process. This will return the video to 24 fps, which, when frame rate subsampled for mobile delivery, will result in better image quality.
Optimize black level for the best codec performance. Establish Super Black as the reference, but do not push midtones and grays into black. Push saturation and contrast to make the images pop. Adding brightness will add noise to video, so it is not recommended.
Remember, handsets are not NTSC devices, so you can push saturation and color beyond "legal NTSC." Be sure to check the results on the handsets!
When subsampling, calculate frame rate using whole numbers: 30 fps —> 15 fps; 24 fps —> 12 fps. The linear reduction in file size is 30 to 15 fps = .5 file size.
Scaling up is not recommended as it will negatively affect the quality. Maintain the pixel aspect ratio of the source throughout the preprocessing and encoding chain.
Video noise is very inefficient to encode. It eats up a huge amount of bits, which are diverted from the subject. Reducing noise makes the codec’s job easier to create higher visual quality content. There are many different noise reduction solutions available ranging from complex hardware to simple software. Hardware systems offer complex algorithms and a greater variety of techniques, and they provide the most amount of control. Software is often more easily integrated into the NLE workflow.
Despite the many challenges of producing and delivering content to mobile handsets, the opportunity is immense. We are at the beginning of an exciting time in the evolution of how people consume and enjoy video. Proper production techniques will be vital to ensuring its excess in the wireless marketplace.