Does Da Vinci Like M2T Videos?

[Marc Wielage]

Very bad format for post. Convert it first to a more post-friendly format. There are a zillion conversion programs that will transcode to DNxHD or DNxHR or ProRes out there. For the most part, all Long-GOP H.264/H.265 format are problematic. M2T (MPEG-2 transport stream) files are intended as final delivery files, not for editing or color or VFX.

[Terence Christopher]

Thanks for your reply.. I do not have your expertise, but was coming to the realisation that M2T was the stumbling block. I however posted this to see if I was mistaken and that there was a way forward without that step.
Thanks
Terence

[Terence Christopher]

Marc I would like to ask your advice.. I have been transposing the video clips to MP4 thinking that they would be the safest way forward. However your suggestion that the DNxHD DNxHR are the preferred way to go makes me think I should change course.. Why are these better and which one do you recommend? My goal is just to have long lasting formats for high quality archival purposes and easily readability. I am using a PC and Windows 10 which limits me.
I am afraid I do not as yet know the structuring of the files and wrappers etc.

[Terence Christopher]

Can I ask a second question. I have a file which was captured at 1080 i Like the other files that I am currently editing. However when I try to edit it, I can see that the image on the initial window is not in the 16X9 format but in the 4×3. The clips were captured as M2t and have been transcribed into Mp4. I would have assumed that they were altered at the time of the change in format. However the clips can be displayed in the VLC media player and play at the 16×9 shape without a problem. What is happening and what should I do about it.? I did try to alter the initial settings for the editor by requiring the 19×6 format for all images and stretching, but that seems to be a phony way to go as I did not understand what I was doing.
Thanks
Terence

[Tero Ahlfors]

[Terence Christopher] “I can see that the image on the initial window is not in the 16X9 format but in the 4×3.”

It’s probably shot in HD anamorphic and requires you to set the correct pixel aspect ratio. So the file is in 4×3 but the actual image is 16×9 squeezed into that.

[Ole Kristiansen]

“I am using a PC and Windows 10 which limits me.” Why ?

DNxHD for 1080 HD ! DNxHR for High Res. like UHD and 4K

Why ? DNxHD and Proes – read all 3 pages

https://www.redsharknews.com/post/item/88-why-you-should-use-dnxhd-and-prores

[Rainer Wirth]

Hi Terence,

are you a newbi to editing?
Before you start a project you transcode all your files into one editing format according to your workflow.
What is your workflow? You should have one. You can’t just throw any codec onto your timeline. This blows your system.
For example: We have set our workflow to ProRes422 if we work in HD, for 4k we have set it to ProResHQ.
Avoid all H264/H265 files (needs transcoding), GOP files are a pain in the ass for any cutter.

cheers

Rainer

factstory
Rainer Wirth
phone_0049-177-2156086
Mac pro 8core
Adobe,FCP,Avid
several raid systems

[Terence Christopher]

Ole That is superb information that I lacked. I will immediately start looking further into it. I obviously should go this way.
Terence

[Terence Christopher]

Yes I am a newby and I have been doing what you describe and have had M2t and Mp4 files which I am trying to sort out. Until I saw Ole’s note and reference I did not understand the importance of switching out of those codecs for editing. I think I have been gumming up Da Vinci as it does not destroy projects even though the user deletes them. (Until a few days ago I did not realise that De Vinci was unable to read the M2T codec) It also doesn’t seem set up to handle 30 fps 1080 i ( I am dealing with 1080 i files from an old Sony) as well as UHD from a Panasonic GS4 which I have been storing on drives but now want to sort out and archive . The files are in their original formats.
Are there good programs to convert from those codexes to the preferred ones.
Thanks for your great help
Terence

[Terence Christopher]

Thanks for that advice. I will try switching the pixel ratio.
I really appreciate your help
Terence