I just perused past posts but not really sure of this workflow or if it's going to be a major pain.

I am shooting 1080/24p and want to know what the workflow is.  We are also shooting sync sound separately so I know we're going to have to sync to a clapper and not TC.  But what is the workflow for importing and ultimately using this as our online/export?

Thanks,

-peter

Use a 1080p/23.976 project.  You'll sync the audio based on inpoints, since, as you said, TC is not an option with the Canon.

Other than that, it's normal editing.

I would also recommend transcoding to DNxHD in MPEG Streamclip before importing your clips into Avid.  Try a test doing it this way versus importing the movies directly and make sure you don't see any color/gamma shift that might cause a problem.

On a sidenote, you may want to check out this utility:

http://www.videotoolshed.com/product/42/qtchange/2

That's neat!  I'm so glad the new 5d Mk II firmware was released so we can shoot in 23.98 now...

pianoman72:

I would also recommend transcoding to DNxHD in MPEG Streamclip before importing your clips into Avid.  Try a test doing it this way versus importing the movies directly and make sure you don't see any color/gamma shift that might cause a problem.

Do you find that it is quicker than directly importing into the Avid? Or is the thought to use it as an app that can work in the background?

From what I have read, 5.0 will elimate this process as it can work with h264 natively. Nice.

pianoman72:

I would also recommend transcoding to DNxHD in MPEG Streamclip before importing your clips into Avid.  Try a test doing it this way versus importing the movies directly and make sure you don't see any color/gamma shift that might cause a problem.

Do you find that it is quicker than directly importing into the Avid? Or is the thought to use it as an app that can work in the background?

From what I have read, 5.0 will elimate this process as it can work with h264 natively. Nice.

It is an extra step that adds time, but you will be able to "fast import" so at least it's not doubling the wait.

Footage was shot at 1080/24p- should I transcode to DNxHD at 709 or RGB levels?  Also, should I toggle to 1080p/23.976 DNxHD 115 or leave it at 1080i/59.94?

thanks

kellyv:

I From what I have read, 5.0 will elimate this process as it can work with h264 natively. Nice.

Won't transcoding to an intermediate codec still make editing much smoother? If editing H.264 natively in AMC 5 is anything like editing H.264 in FCP, I'd rather pass. Thoughts?

Hey there,

I have gone back to Leopard and the MC3 from the MC5 because my machine (see specs below ) wasnt stable with linking to material shot on Canon D7 thorugh the AMA.

I am writing to hear if the only reason to transcode before importing into AVID is only a matter of faster import?

We are planning to transcode/or directly import into AVID for offline DNxHD 36 and then Re-import for the ONLINE grade DNxHD 175 (X).

But is there any other workflows that are better - higher quality, my machine doesnt have higher options than DNxHD175 (and what is the difference between 175 and 175 X)? And if there is a different way to do this, what is the workflow to get back to the native files for the online, without losing quality?

I did a test transcoding the Canon D7 files with mpeg streamclip and compared the importing time into AVID.

For a 17 second clip, it was 20 second faster on the import on the transcoded file compared with the original, but I didnt win much time, because it took approximately 20 seconds to transcode the nativefile to DNxHD36 in mpeg-streamclip.

Best,

Klaus

Machine Specs:

Model Name: MacBook Pro 15"

  Model Identifier: MacBookPro2,2

  Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

  Processor Speed: 2.33 GHz

  Number Of Processors: 1

  Total Number Of Cores: 2

  L2 Cache: 4 MB

  Memory: 2 GB

  Bus Speed: 667 MHz

  Boot ROM Version: MBP22.00A5.B01

The advantages to MPEG Streamclip is that you can shorten import times and you can do so without using the resources of the Avid.  Use another machine to transcode, then import in the Avid in bunches.  Heck, I have even ran MPEG Streamclip on the Avid and imported as I went.  At least with the downtime between imports you can log clips and pull selects.  if you directly import, you can't do anything until all the clips are done.

I have also started using a freeware program called QTChange which will add a TC track to your clips and create an ALE which you can batch from.  You might want to check that out.

And the difference between 175 and 175x is that all "x" resolutions are 10-bit.

My is my workflow in this thread.

I use Sorenson Squeeze because I am able to convert 2-3 H.264 files to DNxHD at the same time. It can also be done outside of my Avid application.

Hi Kevin,

one question: Do you import the transcoded clips with the import function or as an ama file?

Hi Pianoman72. Why do you recommend transcoding to DNxHD ? Why not just use AMA? I've done both for projects on my side. The AMA is a bit weird with the QT media. But its almost worth the time savings. What is your experiences with this?