laptop acquisition and desktop editing

[Christopher Glaeser]

I am currently using DV Rack on my laptop and a Canon XL H1 to capture m2t files direct to disk. I then transfer the m2t files from the laptop to my desktop where I use Aspect HD to convert the m2t files to CFHD AVI files for editing in PPro 2. A couple quick questions.

1. Can I active the Aspect HD license on my laptop for acquisition and my desktop for editing, or does that require a second license?

2. Can DV Rack work with Aspect HD? I'm guessing the answer is no, and if I use DV Rack, I must generate m2t files and then convert to CFHD AVI files as a second step. To generate CFHD AVI files directly, I'm guessing I must use HD Link. Is that correct?

Best,
Christopher

[David Newman]

1. Requires a second license.

2. The real-time M2T to CineForm AVI conversion is some pretty tricky coding, so unfortuately it can't be used through DV Rack. RT capture/conversion is only supported through HDLink and the Premiere Pro capture interface.

[Christopher Glaeser]

Originally Posted by David Newman

1. Requires a second license.

Thanks, just checking; my other applications have a laptop provision in the license.

So, the only practicle solution is to use DV Rack to capture the m2t files, copy the fiiles to the desktop, do the conversion to CFHD on the desktop, and then use PPro 2 and AE for editing.

Best,
Christopher

[Chuck Spaulding]

Originally Posted by David Newman

1. Requires a second license.

Is this a policy Cineform is considering changing?

Isn't it a bit unreasonable to have to purchase a second licence to cut out the step of "re-capturing" the footage on your desktop?

[David Newman]

We do accept a case by case argument regarding this -- but not online. We initially thought, yes, this is totally reasonable, and a fair use model. So when we offered it ages ago, customers turned around and said well if I can use it on my laptop I have another PC "after all what is the difference between a laptop and a desktop?" Us giving a little, result an negative for eveyone. If we could only varify the usage. So looking for ideas.

Regarding the initial inquiry : If you are working the way you describe you do not need an additional Aspect HD licence, as a Connect HD license at 40% of the cost will be fine for capture. The mixing and matching our products do offer an reasonable amount of user flexibility.