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After Effects render for Avid Adrenaline
Hi everyone,
I am hoping someone can help with with an After Effects to Avid Adrenaline problem.
I have created keyable elements (NTSC 29.07) for a client who is asking for the Quicktime files to be delivered in the Avid codec. Upon speaking with the editor, he told me that the meridian codec was old, and that I shouldn’t use that.
I have downloaded the latest package of Avid Codecs for Macintosh. I tried to figure out which one to use. Here is the list:
Avid 1:1x (This codec appears to not allow an imbedded alpha channel, so I cant use it).
Avid DNxHD (This codec appears to be an HD codec, so I can’t use it).
Avid DV (I am in an NTSC broadcast world, and I need to deliver highest resoution, so I can’t use this).
Avid DV100 (Same issue as the Avid DV codec).
Avid Meridian Uncompressed (This seems to work fine, but the editor is saying not to use it. Does anyone know if the Adrenaline is uncompatible with the Meridian codec?)
Avid Packed (I am not sure what this is, but even after rendering with an imbedded alpha channel, when I bring it back into After Effects, it shows NO alpha channel.)Can anybody lead me in the right direction. It is very frustrating. I usually would render animation codecs, but the client want to cut down on render time in the Avid.
Thank you in advance.
Frank R.
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7 Replies
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Meridian Uncompressed is definitely what should be used for SD work. However, I’ve run into issues when using the codec with an embedded alpha channel. On some footage it would generate artifacts around soft edges like glows. No one has ever been able to provide a solution to this. For things like type we would renders 2:1 compression without issue. If the quality wasn’t good enough we would have to use Animation codec.
– Adam
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Thanks for you quick answer…
So as far as your concerned, the Adrenaline will except a Meridian codec without an issue (besides the artifacting you mention)?
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ask the editor if lossless animation quicktimes are ok… they should be, i send them to avid adrenaline editors often. just talk to the editor about how you are rendering, particularly if you are making the 601 color space adjustment on your end or if they need to import as rgb color space on their end. you’ll also want to make sure you render as straight (unmatted) for keyed pieces.
Kevin Camp
Designer – KCPQ, KMYQ & KRCW -
Hello,
I usually would render animation codecs, but the client wants to cut down on render time in the Avid.
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Just to clarify, the editor wants to cut down on his import time. If you give them a quicktime in the Animation codec Avid will have to transcode it to OMF or MXF in an Avid codec during import. Depending on the length of the quicktime file, this will be a couple of seconds or a couple of hours.
If you render in an Avid codec the import is almost instantaneous. After that, they render only if they’ve hit the realtime playback limit in their Avid, which is dependent on how many effects they’re using, what resolutions, drives, etc…
I second the Meridien codec. Is it old? Yes. Is it a great codec and does it work on both old and brand new Avids? Yes and yes. And, as moldyboot said, make sure your editor knows what color space you worked in and the field order (if any) you rendered in. They’ll have to set their import settings accordingly. Otherwise, all should be good!
Michael.
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Agreed on all of these points (although a LOT of people have misgivings about the aging Meridien codec). Just be sure, as was mentioned, to use Straight Alphas. You should also render interlaced.
Also be careful with your actual alpha settings. If they are set wrong, your video will take on a strange purple look. This may not be specific to the Meridien codec, but that’s the only codec I’ve noticed this problem with.
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Thanks for your help guys. One other question; would you recommend rendering out in the 601 or RGB color space?
Thanks again,
Frank R.
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