AMA workflow

[Shane Ross]

H.264 is VERY processor intensive. For you to work with all of these formats, natively, via AMA, you need a BEEFY MacPro or HP desktop computer. GOOD video card. Yes, Avid demos showing off AMA use a LAPTOP, but they don’t have a lot of footage to work with. The more footage you have, the longer the sequence, the slower things can get. I would not tackle this footage natively with an iMac.

Plus, Avid cannot export AAF or OMF with footage imported via AMA. So no sending this to the Audio Mixer for final mix. Not unless you TRANSCODE your final sequence.

But with an iMac, I’d skip all that. Use AMA to access the footage, but convert it ALL to an Avid codec for working with.

[Christian Caspersen] ” Is it possible for me to take out a Prores file when i´m done? “

No. Avid can READ ProRes, but cannot ENCODE to it. If you have FCP installed on the same computer, then you can use Compressor to convert your final to ProRes. But you can’t do it without FCP installed.

Shane

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

[Christian Caspersen]

Ok, thanks for the advice. From what i tested so far, the Imac is having serious problems when loading different clips onto a big timeline. I´m brand new to Avid, so what method should I use? And what´s the best Avid codec? Is it sufficient to just transcode H.264 and the GoPro material and use just AMA for the XDcam footage? Or, Avid reads this natively right?

[Shane Ross]

[Christian Caspersen] “I´m brand new to Avid, so what method should I use?”

How much material and storage do you have? If little storage, but a LOT of footage, then the offline/online workflow might be in order. Use AMA to access the footage, then transcode to DNxHD36, or 15:1. Then when you lock the cut, decompose it and reimport the footage as DNxHD175.

[Christian Caspersen] “And what´s the best Avid codec? “

Best for what? Like asking “what’s the best length for string to be?” To do what? 1:1 is UNCOMPRESSED, but DNxHD is a very proficient compressed codec, like ProRes. People tend to capture footage as DNxHD 175 or 225 for full res online work. But, this takes up space…not as much as 1:1 for sure, but it will eat up space. Especially when limited to firewire drives. So BEST depends on how much footage you have, and what your plans are with the final output…

[Christian Caspersen] “Is it sufficient to just transcode H.264 and the GoPro material and use just AMA for the XDcam footage?”

Not if you want to export an OMF or AAF for ANY reason, including for the post sound mix. Again, AAF and OMF don’t work for any NON-AVID codec. ALthough I do see XDCAM EX MXF listed…might be worth test out to see if you can mix them. You might be able to.

Shane

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

[Christian Caspersen]

Hi Shane, thanks for your great help, have been using the day for some experimenting. But as I´m brand new to AVID (1 day) and the guy who knows Avid at the office is extremly busy, I would greatly appreciate if you could go some steps with me.

First of all, disk space is´nt that big of an issue. I have the material and I´m going to write to firewire 800 disk. Buying a couple of more them is not a problem, as i prefer to stay online all the way.

What tool in Avid do you use for transcoding? I found one way but not with the options DNxHD36, or 15:1. Just want to make sure i get it alright

Second, is DNxHD like AVIDs equal for ProRes? How is it for grading? And while i´m at it: Do you know if it´s possible to take a Avid sequence into Color? Our client wants it delivered as: MPEG-2 422 Long GOP@50Mbps (XDCAM HD422).

Thanks in advance, Christian

[Shane Ross]

I’m sorry, but these forums, my participation on these forums, is to provide technical assistance to those who are stuck, and possible quick workflow solution tips. I do not offer in depth, step by step schooling on how to use the software. Except for a couple tutorials on various topics.

If you don’t know how to use the Avid software at all, or know the basics, I suggest taking a class, or online classes like lynda.com offers. You really need to know the software you are going to use to edit

Shane

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

[Christian Caspersen]

Yes your right. I´m sorry. Just a bit frustrated on being forced into Avid in a short amount of time after using Final Cut my for years and learning to know that in and out. Thanks anyways