AVID Editor Needs to Transfer Media (Not Timeline) to FCP for Tweaks

[Sean Oneil]

First off, Walter is 100% correct. Blackmagic and AJA cards function as I/O only and do not provide extra horsepower. SOME older Decklink models have some sort of effects handling built in, but everyone now knows to turn those off because FCP’s software RT Extreme is 10 times better. Pinnacle’s Cinewave is the card that adds the extra horsepower for Final Cut, but it’s getting dated and Avid just bought that company. Most wouldn’t buy one at this point, especially with Apple expected to add massive enhancements for version 5 which is rumored to be announced in two weeks at NAB.

Ok let me claify. When I said export as Uncompressed, I meant export FROM the Avid TO a Quicktime file using Apples “None” for the codec. That just means uncompressed. Whatever format you use on the Avid is your call. I can’t comment on that becasue I don’t know enough about the job. Going from Avid 2:1 to Apple Uncompressed is fine. You don’t need to redigitize using Avid 1:1 – if that’s what you’re asking.

Avid 1:1 codec EQUALS Apple Uncompressed 8-bit
Avid 2:1 codec EQUALS Apple PhotoJPEG @ 75% quality.

Uncompressed is obviously lossless, while the 2:1 codecs are visually lossless. You won’t see a difference from one generation and it is absolutely suitable for finishing. Remember, Digibeta uses 2:1 compression as well on the tape itself.

So what I would do is export your Avid 2:1 footage to Apple Uncompressed 8-bit. Don’t use Photo-Jpeg because while FCP supports real-time playback, you get no RT Effects with PJPEG.

And again, if you don’t have the hard disk speed to handle Uncompressed on the Final Cut box, you need to go with DV (even thought that’s not a great idea for onlining). If you do need to use the DV codec, then you may as well just dub a DVCam- the end result is the same plus you save a lot of time and hassel.

[Ren Hinks]

[Sean ONeil] “SOME older Decklink models have some sort of effects handling built in, but everyone now knows to turn those off because FCP’s software RT Extreme is 10 times better.”

Great explanation.

[Sean ONeil] “When I said export as Uncompressed, I meant export FROM the Avid TO a Quicktime file using Apples “None” for the codec. That just means uncompressed.”

Uncompresseed=none. The light bulb goes off (or on).

[Sean ONeil] “Going from Avid 2:1 to Apple Uncompressed is fine. You don’t need to redigitize using Avid 1:1 – if that’s what you’re asking. “

I re-digitized last night to 1:1 as it was only a :30 ad on a BetaCam SP Edit Master. I’m just replacing head and tail graphics and adding animated LiveType over some of the body. I actually thought I saw a difference on the AVID between 2:1 and 1:1. Expectations are a bi*#h…it was late…

[Sean ONeil] “And again, if you don’t have the hard disk speed to handle Uncompressed on the Final Cut box, you need to go with DV (even thought that’s not a great idea for onlining).”

As far as I know I have enough horsepower now that I know that people don’t usally have to use outboard processors for Uncompressed. I have: G5 D2, 2GB ram, 165 and 300 SATA internal drives. Even a 10-bit encode/sequence ran last night without a warning of dropped frames from FCP. Please say this is OK! – there’s no more income until at least one of these puppies is out the door. :>)

[Sean ONeil] “If you do need to use the DV codec, then you may as well just dub a DVCam- the end result is the same plus you save a lot of time and hassel. “

I don’t know that I could show up at the agency with a DVCam after I was handed a BetaCam for source. ;>)

Cool. Fantastic help – much appreciated.

ren

[Debe]

[Ren Hinks] “I don’t know that I could show up at the agency with a DVCam after I was handed a BetaCam for source. ;>)”

But you could be super-sneaky and dub the DVCam back to BSP and deliver that….

But that wouldn’t be right…or would it?!?!

debe