I'd be interested to hear how other MC editors tackle the mastering and archiving of their productions.

When my production is complete andf the timeline is fully rendered, I usually do the following -

1. Digital cut to HDCAM master for archiving

2. Mixdown of video and audio tracks to mxf files for archiving

3. Export to file - typically H264 .MOV uncompressed (from which other compressed formats may be made as required).

As I am still running MC 8.5.3 (with Symphony) I cannot master directly to H.265/HEVC - I am currently testing a conversion route via Shutter Encoder but haven't got this to work quickly enough yet.

Does anyone know if Shutter Encoder can work with a pair of audio/video mxf mixdown files from the timeline - and assemble the two files together for conversion to for example H.265?

I have found one reliable route to achieving a high quality compressed MP4 version - load the uncompressed mov file up to YouTube than when processed, download the file as MP4 - for a 30 something GB MOV files this results in a 290MB MP4 file with no noticeable compression artefacts. So far this is the best way I have found to achieve a high quality smallish MP4 file.

I would like to hear how others approach their mastering, archiving and conversions :)

Interesting question. 

For short form projects with raw files of perhaps 300GB I keep the camera originals for about half a year. I delete the MXF media files, If I ever need to edit something again in this project I bring my media in either by relinking or batch re-import. 

For longer-form projects (depending on the project) I export an uncompressed, mezzanine level DNxHR HQ, and a H.264 MP4 at 12mbps (HD) then delete the camera originals. 

Since MC can't queue exports that will be encoded differently, I export an uncompressed or mezzanine level, then transcode in Media encoder or shutter encoder to my other flavours. 

Not sure if shutter encoder can bring together a separate audio file and a video file, and then combine them into one video file. I've never tried that. 

Is that HDCAM or HDCAM SR?

HDCAM is sub sampled to 3:1:1 so suitable for playback from but not as a master.

I don't think shutter encoder can use 2 different sources.

H265 is very processor intensive (around 3 times that of H264) so I suspect your crate will be the limiting factor.

Pat Horridge:

I don't think shutter encoder can use 2 different sources.

Job ter Burg:

Pat Horridge:

I don't think shutter encoder can use 2 different sources.

I thought it did. Via Merge and/or Replace Audio. But have never done that in SE, I must admit.

The merge / replace audio is under the without conversion section. So you can replace the audio but not transcode that the same time.

But you coul do it in 2 passes. Replace the audio and not transcode and then transcode the resulting file.

Ah, of course. Got it. Thanks!