• Adobe After Effects

  AVID codecs – worth a repost

  Posted by Joseph W. bourke on July 27, 2005 at 2:03 pm

  A week or so ago I sent a post about getting the alpha channel to work with an OMF file. Apparently no one has run across the issue, but there’s a much simpler solution, which I found on the AVID tech site. It’s the AVID Meridien codecs. I had been sending numbered targa files, Motion-JPEG-A, and every flavor under the sun to our AVID editor, and nothing worked; there was always field hash, or frame stutter, or something to make the file unusable. And since our editor edits in 2:1, a 1:1 file, which worked on import, would not mix on the timeline (older 9000 box).

  I had tried many times to get my hands on the codec from AVID, but, even with a login, had been unable to download it. Well, my problem is solved, and, I hope, yours. Here’s the link to the AVID tech support website, with the Windows and Mac Meridien codecs:

  https://www.avid.com/onlinesupport/supportcontent.asp?productID=10&contentID=3555&typeID=

  I hope it helps someone. I am now able to render to the Meridien 2:1 codec, and our editor drops it right into the timeline, with no render, stutter, or any other problem, and, since it’s a Quicktime codec, I can send embedded alpha channels. Life is good!

  Joe Bourke
  Art Director / WMUR-TV

  Joseph W. bourke replied 20 years, 9 months ago 4 Members · 4 Replies
• 4 Replies

• 

  Tim Johnson

  July 27, 2005 at 3:24 pm

  Yep, it’s worth another post. Anyone rendering AE comps for an Avid should have these codecs on their boxes. The Avid editors will thank you endlessly, as the imports are about 10x faster with these codecs.

  Tim Johnson
  KUTV 2 News
  Salt Lake City, UT
• 

  John Kaley

  July 27, 2005 at 6:15 pm

  Just make sure you’re sending those Avid editors QT’s with straight alphas embedded. Avid’s can’t properly handle pre-multiplied alphas. (double transparency, black fringing to name a few)
• 

  Richard Squires

  July 28, 2005 at 12:18 am

  I second that. The file sizes are small and they drop onto the timeline really fast. It took at least a year to figure this out but now life is good. Straight alphas are a must though

  regards

  richard
• 

  Joseph W. bourke

  July 28, 2005 at 1:30 pm

  Thanks to both of you for the straight alphas tip. It was just dumb luck that I didn’t send premultiplied alphas to our AVID editor. I generally DO send straight alphas though, unless there’s a problem with the result, in which case I’d premultiply.

  Joe Bourke

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