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Can BMD take on Avid’s DNxHDCodec?
I’m not a huge AVID fan, however I have to say their DNxHD codec is extremely impressive.
As BMD has an enviable track record in codec design, how about developing a codec for the Decklink range that can match or beat AVID at their own game?
DVC Pro HD 100 is a decent codec, however It really cannot compete with AVID’s DNxHD codec when it comes to compositing.
Scott
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18 Replies
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I think you’re a little mixed up. DV100 is a Panasonic codec. Blackmagic makes uncompressed codecs which are 100% flawless. There is nothing better as far as quality goes.
The sales point of DNxHD is that it’s almost as good as uncompressed but uses up less disk space. However, if you think about what extra disk drives cost, and then think about what the costs of commiting yourself to the proprietery Avid world costs, you will realize that DNxHD is far more expensive.
I’d love to see a lossless codec for Final Cut that supports RT effects. But again, considering how inexpensive SATA drives are, it’s not too important right now.
Sean
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[Sean ONeil] “and then think about what the costs of commiting yourself to the proprietery Avid world costs, you will realize that DNxHD is far more expensive.”
if DNxHD would work on Decklink, there would be nothing being proprietery in it – the oposite is true: every FCP system would be able to easily work with projects originated on an avid. would be very appreciated.
Kurt Hennrich
1z1screenworks
1z1 tools for FCP : https://www.1z1.at/plugins/ -
Hi Guys
I’m not mixed up at all (I hope!). I’m fully aware that DVC PRO HD is a Panasonic codec; my point here is that while Apple & BMD’s 10 bit UC codecs offer superb quality, they offer little or no realtime capability and are only suitable for a final online edit.
There are two ways to handle the realtime HD battle – the hardware route and the software route.
AVID have opted to focus initially on the software route with great success. The DNxHD codec offers the best of both worlds i.e. great quality along with the ability to edit several streams of 10 bit HD footage in realtime, without the requirement for a final online stage.
DVC PRO HD is fine for an offline edit, however experience has shown it seriously lacking when it comes to multi generation work.
In short, we need a codec that will knock DNxHD off its perch – perhaps if BMD could enable realtime effects on the SheerVideo codec from BitJazz then we would have something quite special indeed!!!
Best wishes
Scott
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I’ve had several email conversations with Andreas at BitJazz about this.
Blackmagic Design can create the greatest codec known to man but it wouldn’t mean anything unless Apple supported it. In other words, BMD isn’t allowed to RT enable it. Otherwise they would have done so with Photo-JPEG among others (which you can do on your own BTW – do a search for my instructions). RT Extreme is only allowed by Apple supported QT components. That’s their decision. BMD has nothing to do with it.
I’m sure someday Apple will create a lossless codec and use it as a selling point for FCP 6. And it will only work on a new PowerMac G6 or something. That’s how they do things.
Sean
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How about support for Cineform (Prospect HD)?
Their codec definitely beats DNxHD with their advanced wavelet compression vs. DCT-style compression like DNxHD. It’s also 10-bit.
I hear on their website that the problem with the current decklink cards is that there is not enough on-board memory on the cards, but I’m wondering if the Multibrige might have enough on-board memory to support Cineform’s requirements . . . it’s definitely a far superior product to the Xena card that currently is certified for Cineform use.
Jason Rodriguez
Virginia Beach, VA -
Good point Sean. PhotoJPEG is an amazingly good, simple and everywhere codec that should be fully RT in FCP, but it isn’t, and it’s obvious to me that Apple a re knobbling it for political reasons (or sheer ignorance).
PhotoJPEG is absolutely awesome, and it’s free. When Apple’s silly pixlet codec came out, I tested it agains PhotoJPEG and PhotoJPEG was better in every respect.
Graeme
– http://www.nattress.com – Film Effects and Standards Conversion for FCP
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Hi Guys
Thanks for the input – Sean I wasn’t aware of the Apple politics re. the enabling of RT effects in FCP.
I have taken the simplistic perhaps naive approach of seeking out the codec that offers the best quality, with the most realtime functionality and the lowest datarate.
In my quest for a better understanding of codecs, I stumbled across a really useful site: https://codecs.onerivermedia.com/
Nothing listed on AVID’s DNxHD codec, however there is a very good review of the PhotoJPEG codec which as Graeme points out is quite superb.
Interestingly, I note that Ikegami and Grass Valley have integrated the AVID codec into two of their latest HD cameras.
I guess, it is now over to Apple to deliver the goods, however it would be a shame to have to wait until 2007 when this could be enabled now.
Best wishes
Scott
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Avid DNx was launched as a open codec, with Ikegami Thomson signing up as did Apple.
I’ve just spent the weekend trying to find end any users of DNx on FCP.
No one.
Mike Brennan
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Hi Michael
That’s really interesting, I had no idea that Apple had shown any interest in DNxHD. The thought of this codec possibly appearing in FCP is very appealing indeed.
Thanks for your input here.
Best wishes
Scott
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[Scott Brown] Interestingly, I note that Ikegami and Grass Valley have integrated the AVID codec into two of their latest HD cameras.
Actually, It’s only Ikegami who’s using the DNxHD in a camera. Grass Valley is just using a JPEG2K codec in a MXF wrapper for their Infinity HD camera (which is what I’m assuming you’re talking about). Two very different codecs.
Jason Rodriguez
Virginia Beach, VA
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