Hi,

I want to begin looking at archiving my MC edited output, prior to HD content I simply fused the movies from Liquid and compressed using 7zip with the purpose being to keep the full quality DV versions so I could re-encode as required if needed.

Now I have HD content (1080/25p & 1080/50i) I want to look at some kind of method of backing the movies up in a better format that the standard 1080p outputs from Squeeze but not uncompressed due to the space requirements.

My intial thoughts are to export as Quicktime with "Same as Source" but is this the best method?

Thanks in advance

Dean

If you use Same as Source, in which format are you working and rendering? It may be the best solution if MC allows you to use it.

A possibility is to use DNxHD 120, but it will take some time.

Or you may want to duplicate your sequence, make a video mixdown and replace the video tracks with the video mixdown. then, export it using Quick Time Reference.

You can mixdown the audio directly in the timeline or during the QT Ref export.

But be sure to have the Quick Time Ref file on the same drive than your video mixdown to avoid missing link in the future.

I have archived individual timelines using AAF export to folder.  I create a new folder for each timeline and check Consolidate media for both audio and video.  This gives me my timelines and all the media in an editable format for later.  It's not a universal as doing a flattened high bitrate quicktime, but it works for me.  As long as I still have my Media Composer.

You want a better format that the standard 1080p BUT compress it due to space requirements? you're pretty much looking for a number between 1 and 2! theres no good answer, you will need to let go on quality or space at some point. 

I wouldn go same as source or mixdowns, id rather go AAF at that point with consolidated media, both would take up the same space but 1 allows you to re-edit with handles

if you do run low on space like i did, i chose h264 10mbs cbr to be my archiving solution for low space and ... medium quality video. the good is that you can adjust the mbs depending on your show. lower on talkin heads and higher on action movies. (dont go vbr obviously)

It all depends on what you plan to do with those archives, i keep them in case a clients wants a copy of a TV show. if you want to re-edit them, go AAF and buy hdd space. 

my 2 cents

dean,
since you mentioned avid liquid fuse, i believe that you're interested to archive final edits, right?

a lot depends on the type of file formats you're starting with, the resolution you set on your timeline, and the resolution for your renders.

you may have problem exporting same as source because of long gop conditions...

try exporting as qt, setting up carefully the resolution, matching one of your higher setting on the project, hopefully the render one (for pal, dnxHd120 or 85 probably). 

qt/custom/format option/video/setting/compression type/resolution

p.s. make sure to check size setting as well: 1920x1080

then you can save your personalized setting!

Thanks for all your replies.

I do not intend to re-edit anything archived, just a "decent quality" version that I can re-encode if I need to in future, this is only a hobby (expensive but enjoyable)

I will try using the methods mentioned and let you know which I settle upon.

Thanks again,

Dean

As these are only for archiving and no further editing I'll be going with Touviere7's solution which seems fine for my needs but have one question, for the 1080i shot footage does the field order settings under the Quicktime settings have any influence?

Is PAL AVCHD Upper Field First?

Dean

Same as source exports are normally the best andquickest way. But if it's for Archive I'd be looking at Jpeg2K as an export option.

2:1 compression and lossless I understand.

Hi Pat,

I've tried JPEG 2000 and found the files to be just a touch smaller than a "same as source" DNxHD 180 8bit export, would you expect this to be the case?

Dean

I've used same as source for XDCamEX DNx135 timeline. Does take a while to render, however.