HDV -> HDMI -> capture into a new codec

HDV on tape -> HDV on disk -> software transcoding to new codec

Both involve 1 transcode. I guess there is an extra step in terms of time, but not in terms of quality.

Indeed. If I can do it in real-time and use that same interface for monitoring it's a win win.

-gl

What are some codecs that can be used with the BMD Intensity card?

I know it comes with a JPEG codec, but I am not sure if that is the bast way to go.

If you had the choice between Cineform and BMD, which would you choose?

Pardon my confusion here – but is everybody talking about exporting via HDMI *after* being recorded to DV tape?

As far as I understand, once the signal is record to tape, it is compressed – and there is no going back. How then can you get an uncompressed signal (from the recorded tape) via HDMI if it has already been compressed?

Or perhaps I don’t understand this correctly.

Thanks --

You have it correct. The idea here is to take it from such a highly compressed codec (HDV) into a better post production codec in preparation for all the processing that happens in post and a codec that is easier to work with in terms of CPU overhead and accuracy.

Ideally, you would avoid HDV all the way but, next best option is to at least avoid it in post where there is a lot of work done to it.

-gl

Think of BMDs Jpeg option as the windows equivalent of the DVCProHD codec on the mac. It's very close in terms of data rate and quality so for most it will be very acceptable. OTOH the Cineform codec is a solid performer and since you can capture directly into Cineform via the BMD Intensity card you may be better off working in that space.

-gl

Thanks George.

So why not capture (from DV tape) via firewire with something like CineForm Intermediate codec?

What is the advantage of using HDMI?

Thanks

There is none.

The Intensity/Mjpeg codec offers a few advantages:

-You *can* bypass HDV compression by capturing directly to the computer via HDMI in either Cineform, BMD's utility or even PPro.

-In post, you can capture full-frame video (1920x1080) directly (Prospect HD can do this but at a higher cost).

-You can monitor via HDMI output to an HD Set in PPro.

I think the advantage is certainly greater for PPro and FCP users. For Vegas users, tell Sony to open up a standard architecture.

-gl

From a Vegas user: amen to that...

We're seemingly SOL in regard to BMD until Sony does so.

Final Cut Studio
 

I use FCS and it's great. I've never used HDV on my MacBook Pro, but I've done it on Mac Pro's and it works perfectly. It looks great to. If you have a mac or you can afford one, get FCS.

Can you explain HOW you can bypass HDV compression, when that is all you have on tape? On tape it is already HDV compressed, so it seems impossible to bypass it.

I didn't explain it well enough...sorry. I meant before it is recorded to tape. Capturing a live stream from HDMI.

-gl

My question would be then for field and nature videography is there a recommendation for a field hard drive that would record all this info? it is economical, uncompressed and better quality

So far the most realistic option for capturing something less compressed than HDV in the field would be to use a Panasonic HVX200 with a Firestore hard drive, but that may not be realistic if you're recording many hours at a time.