How the heck does Canon expect us to edit 5D2 videos?

[Yang Wen]

I don't have my box here with me but what edition solution did Canon supply with the 5D2 or what did they recommend? Can't imagine them creating the 5D2 without coming out with a workable solution for editing on the PC..

[Jay Bloomfield]

Canon used the Quicktime wrapper (MOV) format, so one would guess that they expected that any video editing would be done on Macs. MOV files can be made to work on PCs, but that relies on one installing at least the freeware QT Player. With QT installed, you get some semblance of editing with Sony Vegas and/or Adobe CS. But there are problems. Alternatively (and for a price) You can convert the MOV file to Cineform and not goof the color up, but then the sound is lost.

When you see all that, you have to figure that the 5D MKII is a DSLR that happens to also do HD video. Canon took the easy way out and designed the video to work on the Apple platform. If it manages to work somewhat on the PC, that apparently was okay with Canon. The demand is there from Canon 5D MKII PC users. Eventually the PC software will catch up.

[Bill Binder]

You make it sound like editing 5D2 files on a mac is a no brainer, I don't think that's true is it? Macs still suffer colorspace issues, no? QT doesn't expect 0-255 regardless of platform does it? Also, long GOP MP4 video isn't going to edit well (real time) on most systems, including macs, which is why folks are using ProRes, no?

[Daniel Lipats]

Seems like editing on a mac is not much different than on any other platform. You have to take extra steps on every platform to get the 0-255 range back.

I think the general consensus is that this is a problem with QuickTime and not the 5D Mark II camera.

[Jay Bloomfield]

Originally Posted by Bill Binder

You make it sound like editing 5D2 files on a mac is a no brainer, I don't think that's true is it? Macs still suffer colorspace issues, no? QT doesn't expect 0-255 regardless of platform does it? Also, long GOP MP4 video isn't going to edit well (real time) on most systems, including macs, which is why folks are using ProRes, no?

That wasn't really my point. I'm speculating that Canon positioned the 5D MKII as a DSLR that could be used by media outlet staff and other professionals who were mostly shooting stills, but might also have the need to shoot HD video. Talk about misjudging the market. All that's happened, is people who were looking for a video camera with a large sensor and interchangeable lenses in the sub $3K US range (ala the vaporware Red Scarlet) saw the 5D MKII as the solution to their needs. Now you've got a lot of people who are well-versed in videography owning this camera and trying to use it in a fashion not envisioned by Canon (well at least the marketing side of Canon).

But what Canon thought or didn't think originally when designing the 5D MKII is irrelevant, since both users and 3rd party software vendors are hard at work to "fix" some of the problems that people have noticed, with regard to editing the videos. And you are correct, that needs to be done on both Mac and PC platforms.

[Hale Nanthan]

Editing CANON MOV files can strain the fastest PC’s, as I understand it the codec the CANON uses is designed to save space, this needs more power to decode and edit. The work around seems to be to transcode MOV files to a new format, this then makes it easier for current editors to work with the files.

So far I’ve found out the following different options

Option 1
Pinnacle Studio 14 can work with the native files, I’ve had a play with this and it does indeed open the Canon MOV files, I don’t much care for the program though

Option 2
Transcode the files with Neoscene, costs $129 then you can work with the files in vegas/premier. I’ve not tried this option

So for the last week or two I’ve been stuck trying to find a cheapper option,i find a useful guide.

Solution for editing H.264/MOV footages shot by Canon EOS 7D?550D camera » Camcorder Video Share

I hope it will be of great help for you

All regards

[Perrone Ford]

Originally Posted by Jay Bloomfield

Now you've got a lot of people who are well-versed in videography owning this camera and trying to use it in a fashion not envisioned by Canon (well at least the marketing side of Canon).

No, you've got a lot of people coming from miniDV and HDV who have no idea what to do with the camera. The workflow for professional users is essentially the same as what they've been doing for years.

Originally Posted by Jay Bloomfield

But what Canon thought or didn't think originally when designing the 5D MKII is irrelevant, since both users and 3rd party software vendors are hard at work to "fix" some of the problems that people have noticed, with regard to editing the videos. And you are correct, that needs to be done on both Mac and PC platforms.

There doesn't need to be a "fix". A basic pro level workflow negates any issues in working with this format. The problem is that a great proportion of users coming from non-pro SD formats and HDV aren't used to handling professional codecs. So this is a huge departure for them.

You want to know how to handle HDSLR images? Treat the camera like film. Shoot it like a film camera, and handle post like a film camera.

Problem solved.

[Nigel Barker]

Originally Posted by Hale Nanthan

Solution for editing H.264/MOV footages shot by Canon EOS 7D?550D camera » Camcorder Video Share

That software costs $35 & appears functionally identical to the very wonderful MPEG Streamclip which is free Squared 5 - MPEG Streamclip video converter for Mac and Windows

BTW We are currently discussing the various options available to ease editing of video from the Canon 5DII over in this thread http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-eo...choice-5d.html

[Perrone Ford]

Originally Posted by Jay Bloomfield

That wasn't really my point. I'm speculating that Canon positioned the 5D MKII as a DSLR that could be used by media outlet staff and other professionals who were mostly shooting stills, but might also have the need to shoot HD video. Talk about misjudging the market. All that's happened, is people who were looking for a video camera with a large sensor and interchangeable lenses in the sub $3K US range (ala the vaporware Red Scarlet) saw the 5D MKII as the solution to their needs. Now you've got a lot of people who are well-versed in videography owning this camera and trying to use it in a fashion not envisioned by Canon (well at least the marketing side of Canon).

But what Canon thought or didn't think originally when designing the 5D MKII is irrelevant, since both users and 3rd party software vendors are hard at work to "fix" some of the problems that people have noticed, with regard to editing the videos. And you are correct, that needs to be done on both Mac and PC platforms.

Not to mention the rather... uhhh, dubious advice of transcoding to XVid (or was it Divx)????? Why anyone would want to do that for EDITING is beyond me.

[Olof Ekbergh]

All these H.264 formats really should just be seen as acquisition and archive format. This is true for Sony EX and Canon movs. They are just wrappers for H.264 efficient codecs.

The best way to work is to always convert to a I-frame format for editing. This is easily done, on the Mac and I would assume on the PC as well.

These days it makes a huge difference how you deliver. The Color space is totally different for broadcast TV versus internet delivery, Macs are different from PC's. So I always end up adjusting color depending on how it is delivered.

I think Canon originally really just figured these cameras for web delivery.

It is very easy to set up a workflow/archiving system. Just figure out what works for you and then stick to it.

Just my nickel.

[Perrone Ford]

Originally Posted by Olof Ekbergh

All these H.264 formats really should just be seen as acquisition and archive format. This is true for Sony EX and Canon movs. They are just wrappers for H.264 efficient codecs.

Um, half right. The Sony EX does not shoot h.264. It shoots Mpeg2. And it does not wrap in a .MOV unless it's done in post.

Originally Posted by Olof Ekbergh

The best way to work is to always convert to a I-frame format for editing. This is easily done, on the Mac and I would assume on the PC as well.

Yep, simple and free on the PC.

Originally Posted by Olof Ekbergh

These days it makes a huge difference how you deliver. The Color space is totally different for broadcast TV versus internet delivery, Macs are different from PC's. So I always end up adjusting color depending on how it is delivered.

Agreed. Not sure why people insist on making a mountain out of a molehill.

[Tim Kolb]

Originally Posted by Perrone Ford

Um, half right. The Sony EX does not shoot h.264. It shoots Mpeg2. And it does not wrap in a .MOV unless it's done in post.
.

I think most people see that QT is the default player for the MPEG2 file, which is in an MPEG4 wrapper on the EX cameras (MXF on the Blue Laser disc systems), so it "looks" like a QT file.

That may be where the impression that the essence is MP4-based comes from...

[Bill Pryor]

Any professional editing software, whether PC or Mac, works just fine.

[Laurence Janus]

A lot has changed since January 2009.

It is reassuring to think that the frustrations of 18 months ago are the easy fixes of today.

[Harry Simpson]

Originally Posted by Bill Pryor

Any professional editing software, whether PC or Mac, works just fine.

What does that mean i ask repectfully?