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Capture issues with hacked Panasonic GH2’s AVCHD
It’s a bit difficult finding answers to apparent problems happening when capturing Panasonic’s AVHCD stuff, and in particular that coming from hacked GH2 cameras.
Can anyone who is using GH2 video tell me if there are any problems and how to deal with them?
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20 Replies
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You use CLIPWRAP2 from Divergent Media to convert the footage. FCP never had a Log and Transfer option for that camera.
Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
GAH! This is AVID, not FCP.
If AMA doesn’t work, I still recommend CLipWrap2. Wrap as DNxHD Qts, then do a fast import.
Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
CLipWrap2 is a PC program?
Perhaps I forgot to say that I am using Avid MC in PC version, not Mac’s.
It’s interesting to note that the “default” answer for editing answers, if the person answering is from the US, is always based on Macs. 😉
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Well, there are more MAC Avid’s here than PC, but there are a lot of PC Avid’s in use here.
No…that’s MAC only app. Sorry.
Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
Hi,
AMA doesn’t work reliably enough IMO with GH2 AVcHD. The plug-in for some reason with the Panas files gives me issues. I ignore why.
Simply instead of using AMA, just import the files directly to the DNxHD flavour of your choice. Simple. (and go-out for coffee, shopping, driving, while the transcode occurs… )
Make sure your Project has the same frame rate.
Make sure you have intalled the AVcHD plug-in AMA. (even if you won’t AMA the files)
And you’re good to go.
Fred.
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Hi Fred,
Your suggestions sounds very logical and practical. Now I would like to get a hacked GH2 file to process and see how it works out.
Can anyone send me one or two minutes of a hacked GH2 file for me to test?
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Fred,
As I haven’t yet used the AMA, please do forgive my probably stupid questions.
How is that that install the AMA and then do not use it and import directly?
Why then do I need the AMA and what for?
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No stupid questions, you are just starting with nle and digital video and we all went through that.
About the gh2, wait before decision. Go to the blackmagic website and look for this new camera, less than 1000 euros, RAW dng, micro 4/3 mount. It’s going to give you a film look and no banding issue. A much better option than the gh2: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/uk/products/blackmagicpocketcinemacamera/
But it will not be available until july and I doubt BMC will be able to feed the demand for awhile.On the avid, there are many video tutorials, starting from the basics. That’s the best way. In the cow, just youtube the Creative Cow user and they are all here.
Or directly from this site: https://library.creativecow.net/tutorials/avideditingAma is a link or Access to your material instead of a
Transcode. So you can edit natively without the need of transcoding to avid media.It’s good when you want to edit short docs, musical clips, etc…in my opinion not good for feature film, Long documentaries etc…
Best luck
Fred.
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Fred,
I’m not really starting with NLE or Avid: I have already edited about five documentaries with Xpress or MC.
But they were edited over a 6 year spree, so every time I have to learn the basics again. My fault for not having done that properly.
Things were rather easy with DV, but started getting complicated with HDV and now with several formats that have come into the picture.
AVCHD seems to have several flavors, and those coming from DSLRs are still much of a question mark to me. But now it’s the time to go into them.
I never do short things, so I better learn the best ways to deal with Avid. On my last job, my first in 1080p HD, I mixed DV and HDV. What I did was import the DV using Avid transcoding, edited the doc, then converted the specific DV excerpts to 1080p HD with ffmpeg, and then replaced them on the timeline. It worked fine and I intended to do the same this time. But AVCHD is something I know very little about.
About the camera, I need one that I can get easy right away. The Blackmagic can’t get easy and certainly not right away. I live in Brazil, not the US or Europe. AFAIK it’s also a bit more than 1000, when it’s immediately available, which it’s not. In B&H, usually the best place to get that, it’s u$s 3.000, not counting the lens I would have to get for it. A GH2 new would cost me, buying it in Argentina, less than u$s 1000, lens included. That’s why I considered it.
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Yeah,
What I find with Avid is that if it’s not practised regularly, it’s easier to forget than other NLEs.
Avid is IMO the most robust editor but the counterpart is that it requires regular practise and training.The BMC will not be available easily. I think the camera will have so much success that I doubt BM will be able to supply the world demand.
A GH2 still is a good choice, not as good as the BlackMagic, but at least very cheap and immediatly available.
If you edit long feature-docs, I personaly recommend to transcode to DNxHD and not edit native.
Just reconform to your source files when edit is done.My personal Avid workflow with AVCHD would be (but it’s very personal and others will have different opinions):
1)- I would import the AVCHD footage in DNxHD 444 RGB (your Project needs to be in RGB mode and not in video, you find that in the colorspace of your Project settings). No AMA.
2)- I would transcode all the 444 material to DNxHD 36, once done, put all the DNxHD 36 into another bin, switch to video colorspace and edit with those.
3)- When the edit is finished, relink the sequence to the 444 material.
4)- Color correct in RGB mode within the editor with the available color tools.
5) Master in JPEG2000
But this isn’t the only posible workflow, there are many. What’s sure is that I wouldn’t edit nor doing any manipulation with AVCHD material, regardless of the Workstation power.
Fred.
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