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All Possible alpha solutions
Hello all,
I’m a post production Supervisor for a web based “network” that broadcasts around 5-10 Live productions a year.
For our live productions we are trying to find the most effective (i.e. cheap) way to air our 3D animations, lower thirds and transitions in the most awesome way (i.e. expensive).
So my question is: What are, according to you experts, all the possibilities of outputting said graphics w/alpha channels (created in Maya, AE CS3, etc). Right now, our higher ups are leaning towards FCP, however we haven’t found a definitive solution to output out of FCP and maintain graphics with an Alpha Channel. They want this workflow to be as light as possible and as cost effective as possible.
They want it to look like ESPN! Champagne graphics on a beer budget.
We wouldn’t be using an EVS or Chyron, (again this is supposed to be on the cheap). So, any suggestions?
Thanks for anything.
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9 Replies
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Hi Charles,
People that work with AE, Maya etc likes export still sequences but some times can be a problem to manage so many files. For video editors is easier to with QT movies.
Most of the people use the Animation codec that supports Alpha and is widely available. The sortcoming is that is 8b RGB. If you are working in video, is better an YUV codec and if is 10b, the best.
The cheaper options (free) are the AVID codecs that (I heard) support Alpha even in DV.
If you can spend few bucks I think that the best option is Sheer (www.bitjazz.com). YUV/RGB, 8/10b and always with Alpha available. Is cross-platform and there is free reader so only need to purchase the license for the system which will export.
Cheers,
Rafael -
[Charles Elmore] “So my question is: What are, according to you experts, all the possibilities of outputting said graphics w/alpha channels (created in Maya, AE CS3, etc).”
Output to what? live tv?
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FCP does not have the features to use for live production. For that you should look at something like the Newtek Tricaster: https://www.newtek.com/tricaster/
Arnie
Post production is not an afterthought!
https://www.arniepix.com/ -
[Arnie Schlissel] “FCP does not have the features to use for live production.”
No, but a Kona card does.
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[Jeremy Garchow] “No, but a Kona card does.”
True to a point. It won’t allow you to mix or switch multiple cameras, but it will allow you to key graphics with alpha channels over live video.
Arnie
Post production is not an afterthought!
https://www.arniepix.com/ -
Kind of sounds like what Charles is asking for, no?
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Could be. As long as he doesn’t need to switch between cameras or mix multiple sources in real time.
What do you say, Charles?
Arnie
Post production is not an afterthought!
https://www.arniepix.com/ -
well, I think we got it figured out.
Thanks to all of you who’ve chimed in with suggestions, corrections and ideas.
We wouldn’t be needing to switch multiple cameras through the fcp system, only playing out a single source of video.
Our primary need is to feed graphics w/an alpha out of an FCP system. The recipient of the signal needs an sdi signal in order for the alpha to go through, so in this case we’d need a sdi card/box or converter, whether its a mac pro or macbook pro.
Myself and our IT tech looked into some options and feel like for what we need, we’ve found a solution.
Thanks again to everyone.
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[Charles Elmore] “however we haven’t found a definitive solution to output out of FCP and maintain graphics with an Alpha Channel.”
Charles
AJA’s Kona cards offer the ability to generate a video + alpha signal,and offer the use of motion or still template on the output in realtime from most editing and graphic packages- Many TV stations use this feature with kona’s on a nightly basis.
gary adcock
Studio37
HD & Film Consultation
Post and Production Workflows
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