This is just a thought.


Hypothetically, could you export your source timecode to an audio channel of your QT file and then read that? I know some audio mixers write thier timecode to an unused channel of audio, so I'd assume avid can decode this somehow.

I'm too new to Avid and an offline/online workflow to know if this is brilliant or retarded, just a thought.

could you export your source timecode to an audio channel of your QT file and then read that?

I would expect that not to be possible. It would actually mean that the QT encoder would need to have a (virtual) LTC generator built in. It would also be not really efficient, not to mention issues in PAL Method 2 projects, where film speeds and sound speeds of incoming footage usually differ.

MetaCheater http://www.mediafire.com/?d7wzjjemz7x
A utility that allows ALE export of multiple QT (Ref)files with timecode, so that they may be imported into Avid with the appropriate TC.

All,

Many Avid customers and employees have commented on this thread and the one on the Reduser.net forum so I wanted to weigh in.

I understand the interest that the Red Camera is creating in the market as well as our mutual customers’ desire to have a cohesive workflow with Avid.

We are currently trying to set up a meeting with Jim and his team to figure out the best way to move forward with this.

Thanks,
Graham

Workflows are continuing to evolve. To get metadata, use the MetaCheater application posted on the Avid section of the reduser site and follow the directions there. As far as Peter Jackson and RED, he proved the camera works and can do so under stressful conditions. But when it came to do Lovely Bones, he went with 35mm, 3 perf  - one of the reasons was not having a fully Avid workflow in which to work.

 

Michael

For what it's worth - if you have a Mac you can run Avid on then you can import the proxy files into Avid for offline. Once it's Avid media, of course, you can take it to any Avid (more or less)

Use MetaCheater to create ALE, then import the QT Proxy files into Avid. As soon as the REDCINE QT codec is available for Windows then it'll work there too.

My very brief tests indicated that import time was 1.5-2x realtime (so 2 minute clip takes 3-4 minutes to import). I was importing to DV 420, could be quicker with other resolutions.

RED is saying they are very close to 'coming out of Beta' which should be the point at which they will be in a position to start working with other providers to create support - there is a lot of demand for RED to integrate with Avid and Adobe, and they know it.

Also Graham, so far you're my favourite Avid GM - I've seen posts from you on two forums now! I love a responsive leader (although I don't expect everyone to be quite as responsive as Jannard...)

To simplify linking to the most recent version of MetaCheater there is now a website for it.

The latest version of MetaCheater can now be found at:

http://www.staticpictures.com/metacheater

 Hello Dylan,

All this discussion is about keeping the Reel & TC info from the .r3d files all the way to the Avid master clip so you can finish in 4k files, right?

I mean, if I wanted to cut on my Avid (software) at 1080p from Red Camera, then finish in HD off an Adrenaline or Nitrus, all I need to do is convert the 2k files to DNxHD Quicktimes and import, edit, then hand off my Avid media to the other system.  Right?  Just like I would with a P2 workflow.

I'm not familiar enough with all these conversions & metadata, etc.  So if all I want to do is what I outlined above, it should work fine, right?

Thanks,
Brian

BrianJC:

if I wanted to cut on my Avid (software) at 1080p from Red Camera, then finish in HD off an Adrenaline or Nitrus, all I need to do is convert the 2k files to DNxHD Quicktimes and import, edit, then hand off my Avid media to the other system.  Right?  Just like I would with a P2 workflow.

 

As far as I know, that would be a no.... because avid can't import metadata via quicktime files. So when it comes to avid and red you either do it manually.... or not at all. RED pretty much screwed every other NLE out there..... you can't get metadata on DPX from REDCINE (which you'd be able to get into avid.) but you have the option of putting metadata into quicktime files in REDCINE, but Avid can't import the metadata of those quicktime files. So in the end there is no automatic work around.... you have to enter metadata manually......

 In the interim, you can use MetaCheater to extract metadata from the QT references (if on Mac) or from the Quicktimes from RedCine. MetaCheater will also create a DPX tracking field for filename-frame count so that if there is no timecode in the DPX, it can use filenames. MetaCheater is supported on Mac and Windows and can be found here:

http://www.staticpictures.com/metacheater

• Create the ALE first
• Import ALE into bin
• highlight all clips in bin
• do a batch import
• UI will ask where files are
• select all in UI then click on first file in directory
• Select DNxHD codec of your choice (if using QT reference, if not, then just import)
• import

If you don't care about timecode and just will finish in Avid, then import away.

 

Michael

• 
  

HDRebel. Truth is, you're in good company. I got banned once from DVXuser (for no good reason), and almsot banned from Reduser once (for sort of good reason...but that's another story). Fact is, the info on Red workflow for Avid largely gets ignored over at Reduser, except for MichaelP's invaluable thoughts on these matters. I'd be happy to see Avid's own forum be the go-to place for Red>Avid workflow information. (Hopefully this forum can avoid the now-exhausted "Red is best" debate too.)

Anxiously awaiting an Avid PC solution for Red (since I can't run Metacheater on PC).

I have been working with several of the engineers at RED to create better workflows as things move forward. Something to keep in mind is that no one is editing the native R3D files for actual projects as the performance is not quite up to par for editor expectations. So, in all cases, Avid or FCP, a proxy is created - be it DNxHD or ProRes. So that part of the process is a wash.

What becomes more interesting is the metadata management for the files regardless of how you choose to finish. Avid has far better metadata management. Currently users are having to add the scene/take information to the filename since you cannot lose that for a conform back the files. Since Avid tracks file names in a separate column; editors can actually change the name of the clip to something succinct and useful like... 24A/3.

 It has already been said that RED will be releasing the SDK of the R3D files to other manufacturers after NAB. So things will change again, and all for the better.

By the way, you can run metacheater on a PC.. what problems are you having?

 

Michael

 

As far as I know, that would be a no.... because avid can't import metadata via quicktime files.

 

Thanks a lot.  But I'm talking about editing without metadata, and just cutting and finishing in HD.  It should work, right?

 As in my previous response, you can choose to have metadata via MetaCheater, or if you don't care and will finish in the Avid at the resolution you select, just import away.

 

Michael

BrianJC:

Thanks a lot.  But I'm talking about editing without metadata, and just cutting and finishing in HD.  It should work, right?

 

Just so you know, no metadata means no timecode, ect..... so you can't pull an EDL, if you were to move from media composer to nitris (or some other system/format move).