So to copy the entire lot into another sequence will be a real pain. One method is to create a new sequence, with the correct settings, and just drag the progressive sequence in, keeping the sequence settings. This is all very good to a point, but I want to be on the main timeline, and there is no way to change the simple field order setting.

Welcome to ‘vi’, the unix command line editor. I edited then actual premiere pro prproj file itself. It would seem that each sequence makes a reference to a VideoTrackGroup which in turn contains a setting for whether the fields are on or off. I simple changed this, saved the file and reloaded it into premiere pro. Bingo, the sequence settings changed and I can now watch on the TV via the blackmagic card. Doing this kind of thing is not for the feint hearted, and will take a little working out, but, if you keep backups of your project (which you should, very often), then even if you screw up the file, you can revert to a backed up copy.

Below shows the actual procedure.

1. 1. Search for the sequence name (mine was called MasterCut). You will need to find the instance that is within a sequence tag:

1. 2. Now scroll up until you find the tag “TrackGroup” and note down the Second ObjectRef for Index 0 .

1. 3. Now search the document for the number found in step 2, i.e. in this case 278529 and you should find it buried in a “VideoTrackGroup” tag.
2. e.g.

1. 4. There are a number of things that can be changed! For me, the one that I needed to change was the way fields were being utilised. I changed the “FieldType” field from 0 (progressive) to 1 (upper field). To set the sequence up as lower field first, set this to 2.
2. And that was it. All worked perfectly.