Canon MXF, PP5, NeoHd & Neo4K questions at DVinfo.net

Syeed Ali · March 19th, 2011, 01:53 AM

Being unable to directly import Canon MXF files into Premier Pro 5, I'm currently converting all footage using NeoHD.

Just have a couple of questions.

1. What are the differences between the two codecs .... Canon MXF and the Cineform AVI? Am I losing something by converting to Cineform or am I gaining something?

2. Would there be any advantage of upgrading to Neo4K?

Thanks

David Newman · March 19th, 2011, 10:46 AM

Canon MXFs are either 4:2:0 or 4:2:2 8-bit long GOP MPEG-2. There are generally nice sources to work with. CineForm compression is at a minimum 4:2:2 10-bit, so that will preserve your full dynamic range and color information. CineForm uses I-frame wavelets, the difference is technology is great. Canon designed their codec for acquisition (modifying a codec design for distribution), CineForm designed its codec for post production.

Neo4K for Canon MXF is not really needed. Neo4K is primarily for larger than HD or 4:4:4 source data and alpha channels.

Syeed Ali · March 19th, 2011, 12:14 PM

Thanks David.

Charles W. Hull · March 21st, 2011, 07:54 PM

I'm confused about this as Premiere Pro 5 works directly with MXF files just fine. Use the Canon XF MPEG2 presets when you set up the sequence. This is one of the benefits of PP5.

That said, I tend to use Cineform with MXF files in PP5 so I can use FirstLight - plus what David said.

March 19th, 2011, 01:53 AM	#1
Syeed Ali Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 161	Canon MXF, PP5, NeoHd & Neo4K questions Being unable to directly import Canon MXF files into Premier Pro 5, I'm currently converting all footage using NeoHD. Just have a couple of questions. 1. What are the differences between the two codecs .... Canon MXF and the Cineform AVI? Am I losing something by converting to Cineform or am I gaining something? 2. Would there be any advantage of upgrading to Neo4K? Thanks

March 19th, 2011, 10:46 AM	#2
David Newman CTO, CineForm Inc. Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California Posts: 8,095	Re: Canon MXF, PP5, NeoHd & Neo4K questions Canon MXFs are either 4:2:0 or 4:2:2 8-bit long GOP MPEG-2. There are generally nice sources to work with. CineForm compression is at a minimum 4:2:2 10-bit, so that will preserve your full dynamic range and color information. CineForm uses I-frame wavelets, the difference is technology is great. Canon designed their codec for acquisition (modifying a codec design for distribution), CineForm designed its codec for post production. Neo4K for Canon MXF is not really needed. Neo4K is primarily for larger than HD or 4:4:4 source data and alpha channels. __________________ David Newman -- web: www.gopro.com blog: cineform.blogspot.com -- twitter: twitter.com/David_Newman

March 19th, 2011, 12:14 PM	#3
Syeed Ali Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 161	Re: Canon MXF, PP5, NeoHd & Neo4K questions Thanks David.

March 21st, 2011, 07:54 PM	#4
Charles W. Hull Major Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Canyon Country, CA Posts: 445	Re: Canon MXF, PP5, NeoHd & Neo4K questions I'm confused about this as Premiere Pro 5 works directly with MXF files just fine. Use the Canon XF MPEG2 presets when you set up the sequence. This is one of the benefits of PP5. That said, I tend to use Cineform with MXF files in PP5 so I can use FirstLight - plus what David said.