Ever since I upgraded to media composer from Xpress Pro HD, I've noticed that when I stop on a clip or a sequence it is doing so on a frame as opposed to a field.  When paused I get a jerky still.  Is there any way I can change it to a field.  I'm not using a Mojo and my video is a basic GeForce 5200 card.  I'm also using a DataVideo DAC-200 transcoder.

Thanks.

Actually, Media Composer defaults to showing a field when paused, which is why your still looks "jerky".  One field only shows you half the resolution of a frame.  This is the normal behavior of Media Composer,

I think Steve has misunderstood. It sounds to me like you're seeing a flickering still as it repeatedly (60 times a  second) switches between the 2 fields. This is something I've seen before on FCP systems using DV convertors like the one you're using. Didn't think they worked with avid though, how have you got it set up?

Unless I've also misunderstood and you're seeing this behaviour on your computer monitor, in which caes it sounds like a graphics card mismatch.

Sorry, I should have been more specific.  I am seing this thru my DataVideo box to an external NTSC monitor.  The stills in my source and record monitors are fine.  When I stop on a clip, or go frame by frame (especially with lots of action) I get a jerky still as a result of of seing 2 fields.  If I stop on a clip that has a fluid film progressive  effect dropped on in, I get a smooth still.  Come to think of it, I don't know if this started with media composer or with the DataVideo box.  For years I used a sony DVMC-DA2 box until it died several months ago.  I don't remember having this problem with the sony box.  Maybe its the DataVideo DAC-200 that is causing the problem.  It does sort of tweak out when I go into fx mode.

Anyway, thanks for the replies,

Steve

Well then that is definetly an issue with the DataVideo box.  It is likely always showing a full frame rather than a field.  This jitter you see are two fields with enough of a difference in motion that causes the picture to jitter.  When you are working in progressive, there are no fields, thus, no jitter.

Is the some sort of dip switch or something on the box that allows you to have it only display a field?

This is one of the reasons why MC shows only a field when you stop playback.

are you looking at interlaced footage in a progressive project?