-
EX1 and Vegas
Hi Folks,
I am presently using Vegas Pro8 for my editing and am planning to purchase the EX1 for some documentary work. I read somewhere that Vegas does not edit the EX1 material in its native format.
Is this true?
I would be shocked to discover that it is! But if so, do you have any suggestions?
I naturally want to preserve the best quality I can – can’t see myself recompressing the video to another codec and don’t particularly want to change editing platforms at this stage.
Your advice and comments would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,Bruce Quayle
-
4 Replies
-
well, that’s not precisely true. Once you run the native EX1 format thru the Sony Clip Browser software(which ships with the EX1) you can then load the derived mxf files into vegas. IMHO, a much better way is to transcode the native EX1 files with Cineform Neo HD, then import the CFHD into Vegas.
It is rather odd that other NLE’s , like Canopus Edius will take native EX1 files and Vegas won’t. Go figure.
-
Hi Bill,
Thanks for the reply. I agree that it is very strange that Vegas cannot edit in the EX1s native format. One would hope that an upgrade may be available soon to remedy that issue.
I’m certainly reticent to transcode the video in any format although I believe that Cineform does provide great results. Would you say that transcoding with Cineform makes editing in HD more manageable – faster?
Cheers,Bruce Quayle
-
Bruce…
Regardless of the workflow, whether it is cineform or sony’s clip browser rewrapping in mxf format, the imported footage will show no degradation in making the change. “transcoding” isn’t really what’s happening with the clip browser, it’s just re-packaging the data in a format that Vegas can understand. Cineform is, in fact, transcoding. However, there are advantages to transcoding to an intraframe compression scheme like Cineform’s.
These days, with fast processors, editting in Long form GOP(that’s what mxf is) isn’t as tedious as it used to be. Nevertheless, the mxf format( really a variant on MPEG2)isn’t designed to edit, only to capture and store. Editting mpeg2 takes a lot of processor power, has problems with I-frame and IGOP sequencing, and is generationally destructive. Cineform’s intermediate codec has none of these problems, is functional across platforms(MAC or PC) and is, for all intents and purposes, very robust.The only disadvantage is the cost of purchasing a license.
BTW, I have no connection with Cineform, I just like their product.
-
Hi Bill,
Thank you for your very clear and concise description. I have been reading up on Cineform and it appears to be very well respected in the community. Looks like this will be the way to go.
Really appreciate your time.
Cheers,Bruce Quayle
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up