HD Workflow/Codec Test Sample Files with Pics
 

Test footage captured on a Mac using 'DVHSCap' to a .m2t file.
10 progressive frames at 25fps.

Using 'MPEG Streamclip' converted to:
1/ 1280x720_AIC_25p
2/ 1440x1080_AIC_25p
3/ 1920x1080_AIC_25p
4/ 1440x1080_DVCPRO_25p
5/ 1920x1080_XDCAM_25p
6/ 1920x1080_h264_25p (will not play on PC) .mov for Mac
7/ 1440x1080_h264_25p (will not play on PC) .mov for Mac
8/ 1440x1080_JPEGA_25p (100% Quality)
9/ 1440x1080_JPEGA75_25p (75% Quality)
10/ 1920x1080_hdv_50i (Same as hdv 1440 but different aspect)
11/ 1440x1080_hdv_25p
12/ 1440x1080_8bitUncompressed_25p

Files saved in a AVI container format within Streamclip.

Files opened in Quicktime and 1st single frame exported as Jpegs 100%.
Files opened in Quicktime and 5th single frame exported as Jpegs 100%

Files opened in Compressor and saves as MPEG-2 m2v Standard Definition DVD format file. Two pass VBR 7.0-8.2 Mbps+ (.10 Sharpen). There is a matte letter box on these files, with slight colour correction, sorry left these on in compressor.

Apple Intermediate format is my winner using 1280x720 in FCP it's fast to cut and render on my Macbook. The SD DVD file is also a little sharper. Converting to AIC 1280x720 is a little slower than 1440x1080 but worth it if delivery is in SD.

You can swap files later in FCP to sq1440x1080 retaining cuts etc, (re-rendering effects) if delivery will be in HD.

My Workflow to SD:
• Capture in DVHSCap to .m2t Transport Streams
• Convert to 1280x720 AIC in Streamclip
• Edit in FCP using 1280x720 AIC Sequence
• Output to Compressor using SD DVD setting

My Workflow converted to HD 1080 for HD delivery: (PS3 for now)
• Convert the same .m2t Transport Stream to 1440x1080 AIC in Streamclip
• In FCP change Sequence to 1440x1080 AIC and Re-link to the 1080 files
• Output to Compressor using HD setting

Why not just convert and edit to DV? Well 720 is much more usable in converting to other formats such as flash or H.264 web movies etc. 1080 AIC can be slow on older Macs or Laptop models with sower speed Hard Drives. We will have to see how it stacks upto ProRes.

Link: http://homepage.mac.com/jamesfilm
in the folder 'codec_test'.