The Digital Video Information Network - High Definition Video Editing Solutions

AVCHD Workflow

John Cooper — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:03:25 GMT

I have a new Canon HF20 for shooting videos of the kids and playing back on a 52" HDTV. Produced videos are 3-10 minutes. I'm trying to put together a workflow that maximizes quality and ease. Can the experts help?

My starting point: My PC seems
AMD Phenom triple core 2.1Ghz, 3GB RAM
Window Vista Home Premium 32bit
ATI HD3600 graphics (1GB)

Camera Settings: I'm shooting in MXP 24MBS. The quality seems a bit better than other modes and storage is not a big issue for me. Does the higher bit rate require more processing while editing?

File Download (Pixela), this seems to be the only thing Pixela does OK

NLE: Power Director8 - this is a problem. Power Director8 isn't stable on my machine. I also tried Premiere Elements and it was too slow. Can you recommend other NLEs? Especially products I can try a free download. My PC is a bit under powered, so effiient products that are stable are my priority.

Output and Playback: I am debating between Blu Ray and WD TV HD Media Player. First, I don't have a Blu Ray burner, but my understanding is that I can burn DVDs with H.264 and palyback on Blu Ray. Is this true?

The WD TV HD Media Player supports "H.264 MP@L4.1 and HP@4.1 up to 1920x1080p24, 1920x1080i30, or 1280x720p60 resolution." It sounds like an interesting alternative and would speed production without having to burn a disk. Any recommendations for this product?

Matrox MXO2 Mini FAQ

Gary Bettan — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:53:19 GMT

The Matrox MXO2 family of products are revolutionary new HD I/O device from Matrox that supports both PC and Mac workstations and Laptops! This Videoguys FAQ on the Matrox MXO2 Family is dedicated to the SDI products including the MXO2 LE, MXO2 and MXO2 Rack and has everything you need to know about these exciting new products.

The Videoguys' MXO2 Family FAQ is divided into 5 parts:

I. OVERVIEW OF THE COMPLETE MATROX MXO2 FAMILY
The Matrox MXO2 family of products connect to your PC or Mac via a PCIe card in your workstation or an ExpressCard adapter in your laptop. The MXO2 is an excellent addition to any editing suite and have been used by a a wide variety of users ranging from cable news, local call letters, high end production houses, independent film makers, event videographers and more. Some are using it for uncompressed HD & SD footage, while many others have integrated MXO2 into their tapeless workflows both in the field and in their main editing suites.

II. HD FORMAT & WORKFLOWS
The MXO2 family of products support all the latest HD and tapeless workflows including P2, XD CAM, RED, AVCHD and of course ProRes. On Mac systems with at least two Dual-Core or a Quad-Core 2.4 GHz or faster CPU you can also capture to HD ProRes422 and ProRes 422 HQ 720P or 1080i in real time. On the Windows side you can capture HD footage directly into Matrox MPEG2 HD CODEC. The Matrox MPEG2 HD CODEC allows you to variably set the bit rate and has been used in Matrox's Axio and RT.X line of products for years. It is tested and proven in even the most demanding broadcast environments. For AVCHD footage you can use the Cineform Intermdiary CODEC for significantly improved workflow with no picture quality loss.

III. MATROX WITH MAX TECHNOLOGY AND THE ADVANTAGES OF H.264 ACCELERATION
Matrox MAX is a unique technology that implements faster than realtime H.264 encoding for resolutions ranging from iPod to HD. It uses a dedicated hardware processor to accelerate the creation of H.264 files for Blu-ray, the web, and mobile devices. By using specialized hardware acceleration, jobs are finished with amazing speed and system resources are liberated for other tasks. Quality and flexibility are ensured through direct integration with professional applications such as Apple Compressor and Adobe Media Encoder. As an added benefit, the Matrox MAX technology allows direct export to higher-quality H.264 Blu-ray compliant files from Compressor.

IV. COMPARISON OF THE MATROX MXO2 VERSIONS
You can't have a good comparison without a chart! Check out the Videoguys comparison chart showing all the key features of the MXO2 family of products and determine which box has the I/O you need. In short;

* If you don't require SDI connectivity, the MXO2 Mini is the perfect I/O solution for you.
* If you need SDI then the MXO2 LE at under $1,000 is a fantastic choice.
* The MXO2 adds additional audio I/O and SDI channels.
* The MXO2 Rack adds even more audio I/O and genlock loop-thru in a rugged rack mount design for broadcast environments.

V. MATROX MXO2 FAMILY vs. THE COMPETITION
We've got some great comparisons on the MXO2 LE vs. the AJA IO Express, Kona LHI and the Blackmagic DeckLink Extreme. There's even a handy comparison chart!

The Matrox MXO2 LE brings you all of the power, performance, quality and the features of the award winning MXO2, for under $1,000! The only difference is you get a little less audio I/O, but all the great cross and down conversion capabilities. This makes the MXO2 LE simply the best SDI equipped I/O solution for Final Cut & Adobe editors for under $1,000!!

Click here to Read the Complete Matrox MXO2 Family FAQ!
Videoguys Blog - Videoguys' FAQ: Matrox MXO2 Family of Products

Gary

Quick After Effects question

John Stakes — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:54:06 GMT

I am using the RemoveGrain tool. When you use this tool it shows you a "preview region" which represents the final output. This region is shown in a white outline, 200x200px by default. The problem I am having is when I export the clip, it is showing the outline in the middle of my frame! And the grain is only removed from the preview area, even AFTER I export! This ever happen to you? So frustrating...I have used the tool before without this problem.

PC, CS3, Core 2 Duo

Thanks

JS

Basic-Laptop "system" for video editing

John Timmerman — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:49:20 GMT

Newbie here....been searching, and searching but can't seem to find answer for this.

I need a laptop video editing system (budget ~$1500-2000) but I'm getting confused on what exactly I need outside CPU and memory. My main use is for video editing from Premiere and After Effects in SD and 1/3 in HD........2 (rarely 3) videos in a single timeline.

So, the main questions are: 1) what external video edit/playback component do I need? Matrox? Blackmagic? AJA? 2) I want to build an external eSATA raid 0/1/5 system.....is this advisable?

Finally, instead of trying to create a make-shift system, should I get a custom laptop like this?: ADK Video Editing - Video Editing Computers by ADK Video Editing
This isn't something I want to

I know I can build a desktop about the same size as a laptop but then I need a separate screen and a monitor, which is what I don't want. So, please help!!!!

Exporting Sequences for DVD

Tracey Noelle Luz — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:04:09 GMT

I am using both SD and HDV cassettes to film using a Canon XHA1s. Is it best to capture HDV at 1440x1080 29.97fps or should I capture HDV at 720x480 fps so it corresponds with the SD capture? (Using FCP) What would be the effect if I recorded and captured with HDV settings using an SD cassette?
Thanks!

Cannot export HDV to tape ~ HELP!

Lester Lightstone — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:51:38 GMT

Well ... The latest Adobe CS4 4.2 update has come and gone, and I still CANNOT export HDV out to my Sony Z1-U camera OR my Sony HVR-M15AU deck. The PC can output DV to tape, but not HDV. Vista Home Premium, 64 bit, 16 gigs RAM. For some reason I CANNOT get HDV to leave the PC, as the deck does not sense ANY HDV signal leaving the computer. Have tried ALL the camera & deck choices ... Capture & output of DV is AOK, capture from HDV is AOK, but cannot output to tape??????? Can burn to BluRay thru AME fine.

Are there ANY ideas here??? Is there a setting that I am missing on the computer to allow it to output HDV? The firewire port works totally fine EXCEPT for HDV output.

Lester Lightstone

HELP!!

Problem with BluRays discs

Marius Boruch — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:06:41 GMT

I am using Sony Architect to burn BD (mpeg 25MB files); my customers and I have problems playing them; I upgraded firmware in my Samsumg Bd P1400 (I know it is not a newest model but firware is from 09'2009 so it supposed be up to date. The disc will freeze and stop playing after 50% of the content is reached; it is scary... what seems to be the problem????

How did they do this?

Scott Nelson — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:14:33 GMT

Ok, So, My first though was After effects, but then again I am sure I could pull this off in Premiere.

So, That's why I am in HD Editing solutions cause I don't know where I should put this.

Please take a look at this video. I have been asked to make a effect similar to the "Stopping in mid air" effect on this video.

YouTube - Knife Show Volume 1

My first though was that they just exported the frame, sent it to PS, made the background transparent and then motion tracked it back in. Is there an easier way to do this effect?

Also, There is a part in it where the guy is flying through the air and the back ground is replaced with black video and a name/logo. Would I be correct in thinking this is just a garbage matte around him?

Thank you!

Buy a small helmetcam or a small AVCHD cam?

Marcus Martell — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:49:45 GMT

Hola my friends!
I'm very uncertain on buying a small HDcam that i'd like to use on cockpit shooting (fighter jets).
What would you suggest me to buy?
A COntourhd Helmet cam(for about 300$) or spend a lil more and buy a small sony(i'm going with sony cause i own already a z1)like the ones that record on AVCHD or on tape but the most important thing is that them should be small and that records in HD!
How could i fix on the cockpit of a Small fighter plane?

thx a lot

Software for simple HDV editing ?

Michael DeVoge — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:03:16 GMT

I have recently purchased the components to build a very capable PC which I hope to do light editing from a Canon HV40 and output to blue ray burner. I doubt that I will be using more than one camera in a shoot. I have an i7 920 processor, 12 gigs memory, 2 SSD 30g drives in raid, & 2 640g WD HDD in raid. I want software that can be very simple to use, and yet allow for more complex editing as I become more experienced. I know there are many opinions out there, but I am all ears.

Is there a hardware rendering option for HD

Spike Spiegel — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:45:29 GMT

So i've seen the beauty of hardware downconversion using IO cards for HD > SD video. Its a crapton better than what a NLE's software encoder can do. So my question is, is there a hardware encoder for HD videos that will be eventually made into bluray discs?
I'm currently using adobe and it makes me wonder, what other options there are other than the mainconcept encoder. Thanks for any insight

I hate spiders

Paul Mailath — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:44:16 GMT

I never liked them but I hate em now!

I must have moved through a web outside and I've only noticed when I checked the footage

spider web on Vimeo

it's just a short sequence but you can clearly see the 2 spots toward the end.

I think there's at least 15 minutes of footage after this in various locations and evening & bridal gowns - I didn't notice it on the steadicam monitor.

I have a feeling this is going to be a pain, but I'm not sure of the best way to eliminate or at least minimise the damage. It's a promo for a bridal gown maker shot at a local resort.

any suggestions??

1080 into 720 via FCStudio2's Motion smooth benefit?

Damon Mentzer — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:44:16 GMT

I have recently discovered the joy of Motion 3's Stabilize behavior. However, on a couple of shots, it needed to zoom so far in that the final image became badly pixelated (fluid pro head my **s). Is there any benefit to shooting 1080i, with the intent to use the zoom smooth behavior to stabilize the shot, then output to 720p?

I normally use jvc's Hd110, which is a 720p hdv format. I convert to Prores 422, or 422 HQ is i expect to do color or effects work. I just got the new Canon 7D, and LOVE its movie modes, but now have access to 1080i stuff. ( just realized i dont know if the 720 is P, but I assume so)
And is there a better system for smoothing? i have FCStudio2 (motion) and CS3 master (so there's After Effects) collection for editing and effects. And are CS4 and FC7 worth it for this purpose?

I realize I expand the scope of the question in the last bit there, but the first question is the most important; is there a benefit to shooting in 1080i, and the zooming on the image to smooth, and output to 720p to avoid excessive pixelization?

HDMI capture after recording, any benefit ?

Ron Chau — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:41:12 GMT

I know live HDMI capture of uncompressed video to a PC or portable hard drive has benefits. The question is, once the video is already recorded to the camcorder hard drive or memory card, is there any benefit to transferring the footage to the PC via HDMI ?

This question has been asked before in the past and the answer was no.

However, on another non A/V board, I am in a discussion about the new Blackmagic Intensity card paired with the new 2009 Canon camcorders like the HF20/200. Apparently there now might be some visual benefit to bringing the footage into the PC via HDMI ?

Anyone out there heard about this or have tried the new Intensity card with a new 2009 Canon camcorder ?

Question regarding 1080i/1080p

Ollie James — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:11:55 GMT

Hey,

I've found out how to deinterlace my AVCHD footage within Premiere Pro CS4 (right click footage > field options > always deinterlace) which seems to have done the trick. So, in my newbie mind, I've now gone from 1080i to 1080p?

So does this mean that when I export for a DVD, I export as MPEG2, using the HDTV 1080p 25 High Quality preset? (Although my footage was shot at 1440x1080, and the export is 1920x1080?)

If i'm completely wrong, any help/guidance would be great!

I really appreciate your time and help!

Thanks a lot,
Ollie