Some questions about transcodig to SD and 4:4:4 stuff

[Paolo Brambilla]

I am really impressed by the quality of the Cineform codec, so i was thinking about joining the ProspectHD -> Prospect4K path and benefit of the 4:4:4 feature (mainly for graphic stuff, or when downscaling).
I downloaded the trial, unistalled ProspectHD and installed 2K.
In my workflow i use CS3, but i own also Vegas8, Edius4, Procoder3 and Tmpgenc4

Now i have some questions:
1) I was planning to use HDlink for transcoding to SD 4:4:4 from HD 4:2:2, but i don't see any button for call up the codec window and select 4:4:4, only the menu about filmscan quality. Is it right?
I think it would also be nice in HDlink to select the target directory.

2) If I use another transcode engine (e.g. Procoder3 or Tmpgenc Xpress4) should i worry about the bit depth of his pipeline or it 's only a codec thing?
For example, Vegas is 8 bit, if i use it for the resize i think that the 10 bit added precision would be lost (don't know about Procoder and Tmpg).

3) How can be obtained the 12-bit depth? Is it only related to the raw format?

4) The YUV/RGB format is also selectable or is an internal feature?

Thank you in advance to all.
Paolo

[David Newman]

1) HDLink is 4:2:2 only. For SD 4:4:4 to HD upscales you will need to use AE, Premiere or Vegas. One day HDLink will get a overhaul, 4:4:4 will be one of the new features.

HDLink does have a target directory option. Check "Use Capture Location for converted files."

2) The codec automatic dithers the extra precision when 8-bit data is request (all those tools are 8-bit.)

3) Internal precision for RGB encoding is always 12-bit, even for 8-bit source. To use the extra depth, you source need to be DPX or TIFF, or from a 16-bit+ AE composition or similar.

4) Selectable, in AE, Premiere and Vegas exporters, the codec control allows you to select 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 encoding.