Firewire importing

[Matt Wilson]

It’s DV but it is an HDV camera switched to DV. I was just trying to be clear. We have all that. What we wanted ideally was a DV deck with SDI, but we are in a time crunch and I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing anything.

Thanks for your help

[Michael Sacci]

Okay, yes SDI will give you the best option and then component. But once again, unless you are adding a lot of graphic work there is really zero gain for all this effort.

[Matt Wilson]

Thanks again

[Jason Porthouse]

Matt,

you’ve sure as hell confused the heck outta me!!

So, are you dealing with SD DV or HD HDV? In a way it doesn’t matter, as others have stated – firewire is just data, and the stream you get from FW is exactly what’s on the tape. Capturing DV or HDV this way results in files that are no better or worse than the original.

If you had a deck with SDI out (or component) then you could use this to capture via the AJA to a different codec. Capturing to DVCPro50 or ProRes is a popular workflow here – good quality/space ratio. BUT – and this is crucial – the footage won’t look better – UNTIL you start to add effects, graphics, colour correction etc.

You can have the best of both worlds to an extent, if you adopt the workflow many here use – that is to capture and edit natively (by this I mean DV or HDV via FW) then, on ‘picture lock’ make a duplicate sequence, then change settings to ProRes or Uncompressed (depending on your initial material and system specs – so I’d use ProRes for HD and maybe Uncompressed for SD – my system is a tad too slow for Uncomp HD), re-render and output. This preserves much of the quality by bypassing the DV and HDV codecs poor handling of recompression.

If your still confused about this (and it sounds like your boss is too) then I’d seriously consider talking to your nearest facility house or find a local freelancer who’s versed in finishing in FCP and see how much their advice or labour would cost. A day with someone who knows the process inside out would pay for itself in terms of end product.

HTH

Jason

_________________________________

Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away. And have his shoes.

*the artist formally known as Jaymags*