digitizing for documentary edit

[Shane Ross]

[Derek Klein] “When you say it would take 1.05TB is this assuming I capture as HDV?”

Yes, that is if you capture as HDV. If you capture as ProRes (NOT HQ! Big no for HDV!) that will be 6.4TB. So just get an 8TB Raid, or 12TB Raid so you have room for renders and whatnot. Or just edit HDV and render to ProRes, and deal with a 2TB Raid.

[Derek Klein] ” Isn’t the HDV codec kinda low quality?”

Well, yes it is. But if you shot to HDV, then the damage is already done. You can’t recoup the quality by capturing as ProRes. Capturing HDV as HDV is a straight data transfer, zero quality loss. Any format you can capture via firewire is this way…DV, DVCPRO HD, HDV.

[Derek Klein] “I do have a Kona 3 so I think I could get a little more out of it can’t I?
“

Nope. You can’t get any more out of it. What you might gain is a better color space to color correct at 10.bit 4:2:2, but your footage is already 8-bit 4:2:0, so that information is already gone. And rendering HDV as ProRes will get you that color space. Sorta. ProRes would be better for EXTREME color correction. And a LOT easier on the computer processors, and editing will be much faster.

If you offline, then online edit, you have to deal with media managing, recapturing, fixing speed changes, redoing any and ALL moves on still images, and slipping clips to make sure they are in sync again. This might be worth it, but know that this takes time. If you have FCS3 with ProRes Proxy, then the image size is already full size, so those won’t have to be redone. There’s a lot involved, and unless you have dealt with those issues, you should avoid them. Very few offline editors are also the online editors, because it is a different skill set with different demands.

[Derek Klein] “m using Kona 3 in to FCP so when digitizing my HDV footage what codec should i use to first off get the best quality possible and secondly conserve drive space?”

Best quality possible…Uncompressed 10-bit. Conserve space…offline RT. Best quality possible AND conserve space at the same time? ProRes 422.

[Derek Klein] ” I know that if I captured Pro Res HQ”

Which you should absolutely positively NOT DO. See, this is why you need an ONLINE editor for this task. They know that ProRes HQ is the wrong choice. It is meant for 10-bit file formats, and for 2K and 4K workflows. HDV isn’t 2K or 4K, and it is an 8-bit codec. This is the technical stuff that the online editor deals with. That and knowing how to read scopes, how to color correct, how to output a show to meet network specs…and much much more.

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
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[Kai Cheong]

And if I’m not mistaken, HDV doesn’t lend itself to an offline-online workflow due to the way its timecode work (the whole inter-frame compression bit). You won’t be able to recapture your footage accurately to the frame.

Kai
FCP Editor / Producer with Intuitive Films
https://kai-fcp-editor.blogspot.com
—
Now ‘LIVE’! Check Out The Intuitive Films Blog @ https://intuitive-films.blogspot.com
At Intuitive Films, We Create: TV Commercials, Documentaries, Corporate Videos and Feature Films
Visit us @ https://www.intuitivefilms.com
—
MacBook Pro 2.4GHz | 4GB RAM | FCP 5.1.4 | Mac OS X 10.5.7

8-Core Intel Mac Pro 2.26GHz | 8GB RAM | FCP 6.0.2 | Mac OS X 10.5.6 | 3.0TB CalDigit VR | 2 x 24″ Dell S2409W

[Shane Ross]

Well, I did that myself twice, HDV recaptured as ProRes, because there was all sorts of mixed media. It recaptured fine.

Shane

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

[Kai Cheong]

Hi Shane,

To hijack Derek’s thread: is re-capturing HDV fairly stable and successful in general – or there’s still a fair chance that the TC will be borked?

What I’ve been doing with HDV footage so far is to capture them in HDV>ProRes via Firewire.

Kai
FCP Editor / Producer with Intuitive Films
https://kai-fcp-editor.blogspot.com
—
Now ‘LIVE’! Check Out The Intuitive Films Blog @ https://intuitive-films.blogspot.com
At Intuitive Films, We Create: TV Commercials, Documentaries, Corporate Videos and Feature Films
Visit us @ https://www.intuitivefilms.com
—
MacBook Pro 2.4GHz | 4GB RAM | FCP 5.1.4 | Mac OS X 10.5.7

8-Core Intel Mac Pro 2.26GHz | 8GB RAM | FCP 6.0.2 | Mac OS X 10.5.6 | 3.0TB CalDigit VR | 2 x 24″ Dell S2409W

[Shane Ross]

[Kai Cheong] “is re-capturing HDV fairly stable and successful in general – or there’s still a fair chance that the TC will be borked? “

It has worked for me just fine. It might slip a frame – or +, but that is true of ANY footage. HDV is a tad more prone than usual, but out of 480 shots or so, I slip about 10 clips.

Shane

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