AMA playback

[Shane Ross]

How fast is the computer? How old? You need fast processors to play back the H.264 files the Canon cameras shoot. And really, no matter what, you should transcode that format to an editing format. ON the FCP side, ProRes. On Avid MC, DNxHD.

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

[Peter Giffen]

THe fcp and avid I am using are on the same machine. 2 year old mac tower dual core running snow lepard. Could it be a ram issue? THe fcp choked 2 twice in 6 hrs but the avid couldn’t play 5 seconds before stopping.

[Shane Ross]

Well, my 2008 Octo 3.0 GHz mac chokes on H.264 from my Canon DSLR in FCP or Avid via AMA. It isn’t designed to be edited. Access it, and transcode it. Don’t believe marketting hype.

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

[Michael Kammes]

Across the board, Avid does not guarantee playback via AMA.

And I quote:

“Please note that AMA is a processor intensive application, and older platforms may not offer optimum performance.”

and

“Playback performance of QuickTime AMA files might vary depending on a number of factors including storage type, CPU, and codec complexity.”

That’s the trade off for instant access to media: no guarantees of 100% playback. If you want 100% RT playback, transcode to an Avid DNxHD – it will work better for you later on if you do any kind of color or effects work, anyway.

I’ve even seen hiccups on the new 12 core Westmeres.

That being said, Avid 5.5 (shipping in about 3 weeks) is supposed to have improved playback for Long GOP codecs, but I cannot personally speak to it.

I recommend ensuring that all other bottlenecks are remedied: playback as little number of tracks if possible, go into yellow/green or yellow/yellow mode, other apps are shut down, you have enough RAM and a decent video card, and ensure your system meets Avid qualified spec list (gfx card, RAM, OS, etc): https://avid.custkb.com/avid/app/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=362919&Hilite=apple+macintosh+specifications

Good Luck (and have some patience while Post catches up with those pesky camera peeps!)

~Michael

.: michael kammes mpse
.: senior applications editor . post workflow consultant
.: audio specialist . act fcp . acsr
.: michaelkammes.com
.: twitter: @michaelkammes
.: facebook: /mkammes

Hear me pontificate: Speaking Schedule .