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Exporting ProRes Cocec possible from Avid MC?
I’m trying to export HD quicktime file for client. Client has FCP. I’m using MC 3.5. Is there a way to get out to him a 1080p 23.98 mov file with a ProRes Codec? for some reason my Avid Codec attached to my export. My files won’t play on his system.
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10 Replies
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Unless it’s changed, and if you play by the rules of software EULA:
If you’re running MC on a Mac that also has FCP installed on it, YES, you can export into ProRes.
If you’re on a Mac but DO NOT have FCP installed, you can play ProRes, but not encode into it.
If you’re on a PC and install Quicktime, you can play ProRes, but not encode into it via MC.
You exporting a Avid DNxHD encoded file will probably not play on his system correctly unless he downloads the free Avid codec. However, 3.5 is an older Avid system, so you DNxHD file *may* not look right on his system when he downloads the new codecs.
You may want to look into a different codec.
~Michael
.: michael kammes mpse
.: senior technology & workflow consultant
.: audio specialist . act fcp . acsr
.: michaelkammes.com
.: twitter: @michaelkammes
.: facebook: /mkammesHear me pontificate: Speaking Schedule .
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If you’re on a Mac that has Media Composer, and you buy Compressor 4 from the App store for 49.99, you might also be able to encode to Pro Res. I’m not 100% positive on this, since the Pro Res codec might only become available with the purchase of FCPx, but I would assume it become available with all Pro App purchases.
Richard Sanchez
North Hollywood, CA“We are the facilitators of our own creative evolution.” – Bill Hicks
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Thanks Richard… I’m on a PC.
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Thanks Michael – I’m on a PC (windows XP). When I export SD files for him – they were “fine” – he could see them. The HD files he couldn’t play. He did try and download the Avid DNxdHD – but got an error message… Not with my files… just downloading it to his Mac. We both had to run… but he’s going to try that agian on his end.
What would you suggest for me to install on my Avid/PC – new Codec wise… he wants the pro-res… is that possible? Is it just as easy as downloading something and then installing it on the PC? Then exporting the files again?
Thanks again so much for your help…
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Apple is stingy with the Apple ProRes codec on a PC, in terms of encoding. Decoding (playing) yes – encoding to…not so much. Thus, there is nothing free you can do.
Products like Telestreams Episode can do it, however there is a $500 pricetag.
DNXHD should work. He should ensure he’s downloading the most current. The problem is also that FCP can’t playback DNxHD files in RT easily. Yes, it will see them, but most likely will not play smoothly.
Once solution, if the client can do some work, is to have them download a free trial of media composer for the Mac. Send him the entore project and media, and he can export ProRes files. Headache, I know, but that’s Post for ya.
An alternative would be export into another Codec, if possible.
~Michael
.: michael kammes mpse
.: senior technology & workflow consultant
.: audio specialist . act fcp . acsr
.: michaelkammes.com
.: twitter: @michaelkammes
.: facebook: /mkammesHear me pontificate: Speaking Schedule .
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Thank you Michael – all good information.
I’m not sure I want to invest another $500 -(there were some initial investments I made for this job, (that I’m hoping is a long lasting relationship for this client). So – maybe I’ll get Telestreams Episode. (I just purchase that and then install it on my Avid). Sorry – that may seam like a no brainier statement to you -but all this HD info has got my brain on overload. I’m still shaking my head why this is sooo hard to just be able to share a quick time file. Ok -sorry… it’s just been weeks of trying to figure all this out… mini-rant over!
Your sentence about the DNxHD working on his computer… but not playing smoothly in RT… but once in his FCP sequence – then exported & (compressed)to DVD – everything will look fine? He may be ok with shaky video (I’m doing pieces of work for him) if it burns ok. I doubt he’ll want to download MC… like you said – welcome to post! Ugg…hahahaha.
What do you think – what would you suggest me do if I were in your shoes. He wants me to just get FCP… but that’s another huge investment. AND I already have a WONDERFUL editing system.
I’m at a loss – thank you so much for helping out. Ah, the life of a freelancer!
-Lori -
Yes, if you export a DNxHD file, and he downloads and installs the DNxHD codec pack, he can open the file in FCP. It may not play smoothly, but he can certainly do what he wants with it, including export with no issue.
It does beg the question that if all he is going to do is bring it into FCP and export it…why not just have him open it in Compressor and bypass FCP all together? *shrugs*
Buying FCP ain’t gonna help you, FCP won’t run on your editing system, you’d have to buy a Mac. I presume you know that!
I was hesitant to suggest it, but there are other codecs you could try and export to, but they all have caveats. Uncompressed will be a massive file size compared to what you’re doing, probably on a factor of 10 (ballpark), but should work on both. Other codecs all have their caveats; loss of quality, or a gain in file size, or RT performance. Codecs are a pain.
~Michael
.: michael kammes mpse
.: senior technology & workflow consultant
.: audio specialist . act fcp . acsr
.: michaelkammes.com
.: twitter: @michaelkammes
.: facebook: /mkammesHear me pontificate: Speaking Schedule .
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Haha – OK, well, he’s a wedding videographer. I’m doing pieces of the wedding (he’s doing other parts), so my file/timeline has to fit in with the parts of timelines he’s got. He brought me on because of my experience editing… but I’ve never had to work across this PC/Mac barrier before. AND as luck would have it – have this be my first HD project.
Yes – I do know I’d have to by a Mac to edit on FCP! Hahaha … but that is what he wants me to do… UMMM… THIS machine is wonderful… I’m at a loss there. I can’t stand defending my machine to him… I took on this work because it seems so “easy” of a project. A win/win for everyone involved… but it’s not looking that way yet.
Yes – Codecs seem to be a pain… now that I know so much more about them. I did mention the uncompressed versions… but he did NOT want to go that route. I’m now exporting a different version of the same file that I gave him… to see if this works any better. I’m trying to (while still using the DNxHD – I’m using a bit rate and FPS closer to what he gave me) – is that going to make anything better? I have sooo many choices when exporting a QT (under the custom settings). I’m trying anything at this point.
Thanks again. Hope you have a great Holiday, and hope you don’t regret answering my inquiry! You’ve been very helpful and I appreciate it!
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Do same-as-source. Supply him with the Avid QT codec. Have him render to ProRes. DNxHD, unlike ProRes, is cross-platform, and free. You don’t need to defend your machine.
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That’s what I did – same as source… and he did try to download the DNxHD codec. I hope it’s all working on his end. And Thanks – I will not defend my machine anymore. I know it’s WONDERFUL!
Thanks again to everyone!
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