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Archival codec
Anyone have any advice on a codec that I should use for archival purposes? In a perfect world, naturally as little compression as possible. Animation codec would be great, but the files are, of course, unwieldy. Generally the final delivery for these are for the web, anywhere between 320×240 and 640×480, usually in H.264 codec, and rarely one will go to DVD. – so maybe looking for something that will split the diff between Animation and H.264. Would something like MJPEG A or B be a viable option? ProRes not an option as not all members of the team have access to FCP6 (although is this codec available to others?)
So obviously I’ll be giving up a bit of quality in exchange for the smaller sizes, I realize that. It’s a trade-off I’m willing to take to a degree.
Thoughts?
Tom
(also posted this over @ the After Effects forum..) -
12 Replies
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I always recommend the native codec of the project. If it’s a DV project, save it in DV for example.
Of course if it’s uncompressed HD, well then you might think about Pro Res.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR
The new Color Training DVD now available from the Creative Cow! -
Animation is not a good option. Too big files and RGB. Better option that MPG A/B is PhotoJPG At 100% quality is lossless. Incredible quality.
PrRess is available for FC6 on only. If you can afford to use it, don’t look further.
There is another option but you have to pay for the exporter (not for the player). Is Sheer: The best codec of the world. All the flavors: RGB, YCbCr, 8/10bits and with Alpha channel. It makes the files a bit bigger than ProRess, but is Uncompressed.
Those are option to consider if you have made a high quality master and you want to keep it. If you have mastered in DV, as Walter says, there is not point to save it with a different codec , you won’t get more quality.
rafaelPPC G5 2x2Gh 4GbRAM/BlackMagic SD/PMBP 17″Core2Duo 4GbRAM
JVC DTV-17″/FCS2/AE CS3/COMBUSTION/SHAKE -
>>> I always recommend the native codec of the project. If it’s a DV project, save it in DV for example.
This brings up an interesting point and another question – one that I asked previously, but I am now much deeper into the workflow (or lack thereof…).
I am capturing my footage on a PC with screen cap software “Fraps.” – In order to convert to edit in RT in FCP, I convert to anim codec QT first w/ PC conversion software (Fraps codec unavailable on Mac…found QT component called Perian (perian.org) that initially allowed me to view Fraps-encoded files in QT on Mac…but all of sudden stopped working!!! Same thing happened to friend on diff CPU. Weird…wouldve cut out step PC conversion to animation codec), then on Mac use AE/Compressor to convert to ProRes – tedious!
Final output will be either 640×480 for web, or DVD. So…that being said…I suppose I should be editing 720×480 in FCP to allow “native” realtime? And just figured ProRes codec best quality to work in – is 720×480 using ProRes an acceptable seq setting for what I’m doing?
However, as I mentioned, entire team needs to be able to access files, and not all have FCP 6, so will then have to archive to yet another (animation, Photo-Jpeg, etc.) Uless photo-Jpeg will allow me similar RT options to ProRes…?
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[rafalaos] ” Is Sheer: The best codec of the world. All the flavors: RGB, YCbCr, 8/10bits and with Alpha channel. It makes the files a bit bigger than ProRess, but is Uncompressed. “
While I think this codec is totally amazing, I would not use if for archive. I wish the Sheer guys all the luck in the world, but if this codec gets phased out, your archive will get phased out. Sheer is a totally awesome cross platform intermediate/work codec though.
I would say either PhotoJPEG or Animation, or any other codec that’s native to Quicktime that you don’t have to pay for FCP for. Hey Rafael, I am pretty sure that PhotoJPEG @ 100% is 4:4:4 RGB just like Animation. PhotoJPEG @ 75% is 4:2:2 YUV. ProRes, even though it’s a Quicktime codec is proprietary. What you need is a codec that can be read on a Mac or PC in Quicktime. Animation and PhotoJPEG are great options (despite the RGB limitations as rafael has wisely mentioned).
Jeremy
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Tom-
Your situation is PERFECT for the sheer codec in that you buy it for the PC and then you can download a reader to all other machines for free!
Jeremy
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But RGB limitations are not an issue if mainly going to web with occasional DVD (never broadcast…) right?
Tom
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When you convert to anything in FCP that understands real time editing, you are converting YUV. If the color shift doesn’t other you, then it’s not an issue.
Jeremy
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[JeremyG] ” but if this codec gets phased out, your archive will get phased out”
You’re absolutely right Jeremy. This is why I try to advocate a bit Sheer:-)
rafaelPS: But I know that you agree with me that the time has came to look for a better option than Animation to export an Alpha channel
BTW have you tried the free NONE 64b?PPC G5 2x2Gh 4GbRAM/BlackMagic SD/PMBP 17″Core2Duo 4GbRAM
JVC DTV-17″/FCS2/AE CS3/COMBUSTION/SHAKE -
[rafalaos] ” But I know that you agree with me that the time has came to look for a better option than Animation to export an Alpha channel “
Oh yes. FCP has always sucked with transparency. I was hoping that with ProRes we’d see a change but alas, my hopes and dreams were thwarted once again. Avid has alpha channels enabled in virtually ALL of it’s codecs including dv.
[rafalaos] “BTW have you tried the free NONE 64b? “
No, where is that?
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Comparing with Animation, the people don’t know much about PhotoJPEG just because it have not Alpha. Its keeps the same quality than Animation with files 3 times smaller. Is scalable and is much more supported for RT.
BTW the website of marco Solorio came back to life. The most completed website about codecs:
https://www.onerivermedia.com/codecs/You to have a look to the website of Sheer too. Is also one of the best documented websites about codecs,
RafaelPPC G5 2x2Gh 4GbRAM/BlackMagic SD/PMBP 17″Core2Duo 4GbRAM
JVC DTV-17″/FCS2/AE CS3/COMBUSTION/SHAKE
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