has anyone tried recording 5.1 with the built-in mic array?
my main question is how do you extract the audio tracks? is Vegas the only way and if you use Vegas does it produce 6 discreet tracks so you can export them to an audio program?

just started working with the camera and it's got some real annoying things but it makes beautiful images. will show samples when I do some serious testing... charlie

A Vegas 5.1 project will have 6 audio tracks that you can edit independently. You must start with a 5.1 project preset though before you drag file to timeline.

Ron Evans

good news, Ron.
can I just get the cheapo version (Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11)?

charlie

The cheap version should work just fine. I use it AFTER editing with FCP or iMovie. I import edited movie and then add music in rear tracks and LFE plus narration/single-channel sync sound in center.

From here I make a "AVCHD" DVD with 5.1 audio.

good news, Ron.
can I just get the cheapo version (Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11)?

charlie

Yes it should work. The next version Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11 Production Suite Overview (http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/moviestudiopp) has a little more including a version of Sound Forge worth the little extra, but you can only get the full 5.1 editing in the full version of Vegas.

Ron Evans

"... but you can only get the full 5.1 editing in the full version of Vegas."

If you mean editing from a 5.1 source, I think you are correct.

FCP will, I believe, take 5.1 and convert it to "matrix" stereo. I have no idea if Vegas MS will do anything with matrixed stereo. It would be nice if it would obtain the "rear" information and place it in the real rear channels.

PS: Obviously, I'm trying to avoid editing video with Vegas.

I think they will edit from source ( Sony handcams of course !!!) they just don't have the full set of surround sound controls as the full version. This is a screen shot of the Platinum HD version from the WEB site that shows the surround tracks.Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11 Production Suite Gallery (http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/moviestudiopp/gallery)

I do my video editing in Edius but audio in Vegas. I use the fact that I can transfer between the programs by using the Canopus HQ file not sure if Vegas will work with ProRes but I know Edius will.

Ron Evans

I'm in India so I can't check, but if one installs QT under Windows one gets the ProRes codec. So I imagine Vegas will read ProRes files.

Motion JPEG at 100% Quality gets you 4:2:2. Actually, maybe only 80% is needed.

steve I'm taking a VG20 to India tomorrow to finish up a doc.
what settings are you using? any 60p? cinematone?

charlie

I don't have aVG20 with me. In fact the opposite -- an iPhone 4S with vario ND filter plus a good mount and mic. Using a great app that records 1080p24 at 48Mbps!!! Using a Super 35 frame. Audio is uncompressed.

Assuming you are willing to CC in post, I would;t use CineTone.

60P? What did you should the rest of your doc at?

I'm in Chennai. Where will you be?

What did you should the rest of your doc at?
everything from Super 8 to VHS and DVCAM (but no betamax) -- been filming a sect of mystical musicians since the early 80's. last time did HDV so I guess will use 60i though will not be attempting to match the earlier material and actually will play with the different looks.

I'm in Chennai. Where will you be?
bengali countryside a few hours from Kolkata.
will experiment with 5.1 at some crazy loud locations in the city...

- charlie

You can reach me at Chennai 2466-0931 which is a house number. It's 6:30PM right now.

You can also try mobil: 93812-01739

Steve