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HDV editing workflow questions
I’ve read enough about HDV editing workflows to know that the best choice for me is to use a video card to create DVC100 files for editing in FCP. But I’d welcome advice about a few things I don’t understand:
1. Decks with SDI or decks that record DVC100 or HDCAM are out of the question for me. When bringing HDV clips into FCP, would it be better to get a video card (Decklink makes one) that can accept an HDMI input? My Sony HVR-M25U has HDMI output. Would this produce a better result than bringing the clips in as analog component video?
2. How do I get the edited program out of the computer? Can Compressor create a high-definition mpeg2 file that can be used in burning a Blu-ray or HD DVD disk, once the burners become available? Also, can Compressor (or some other application) turn the DVC100 files into an HDV file that can be output via firewire and recorded using the HVR-M25U?
3. Using DVC100, can I work with 10 or 12-bit files? I’d love to reduce the quantization artifacts that spoil many fades in SD DV.
ALFRED GUZZETTI
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4 Replies
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[Alfred Guzzetti] “When bringing HDV clips into FCP, would it be better to get a video card (Decklink makes one) that can accept an HDMI input? My Sony HVR-M25U has HDMI output. Would this produce a better result than bringing the clips in as analog component video?”
You could do this… But let me ask you this. Are you planning on doing more work like this? Or are you planning being and HDV shop only? This matters as to the answer. If you want to ban HDV only shop – then the HDMI card may be alright for you, but, if you really want to be a competitive post production house, you really need a capture card that is capablable converting anything.
[Alfred Guzzetti] “How do I get the edited program out of the computer? Can Compressor create a high-definition mpeg2 file that can be used in burning a Blu-ray or HD DVD disk, once the burners become available? Also, can Compressor (or some other application) turn the DVC100 files into an HDV file that can be output via firewire and recorded using the HVR-M25U?”
Easy… just drop your DVCProHD timeline into an HDV timeline. Change your Easy Setup to HDV 1080i60 and render. You can then output your program to HDV.
[Alfred Guzzetti] “3. Using DVC100, can I work with 10 or 12-bit files? I’d love to reduce the quantization artifacts that spoil many fades in SD DV.”
What is your final output headed for? Broadcast or DVD? This matters alot, too. If its broadcast, how do you know where the artifacts are? It could be the broadcast facility or the satellite facility. Besides, you’ll loose enough signal that it won’t be very noticeable at all. Yeah, we all want the best but sometimes its best to think in terms of reality (what really airs). DVCProHD is a very clean codec. Yeah, its compressed but it handles most everything beautifully.
Oh, by the way… HDV is much better than DV. Worlds better in terms of quality!
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Wayne Carey
Schazam Productions
http://www.schazamproductions.com -
[Wayne Carey] “[Alfred Guzzetti] “When bringing HDV clips into FCP, would it be better to get a video card (Decklink makes one) that can accept an HDMI input? My Sony HVR-M25U has HDMI output. Would this produce a better result than bringing the clips in as analog component video?”
You could do this… But let me ask you this. Are you planning on doing more work like this? Or are you planning being and HDV shop only? This matters as to the answer. If you want to ban HDV only shop – then the HDMI card may be alright for you, but, if you really want to be a competitive post production house, you really need a capture card that is capablable converting anything.
“Thanks for your answers. They’re really helpful!
I make documentary and experimental films that get shown in festivals, galleries, museums, colleges. They’re practically never broadcast. The places that show my stuff aren’t ever likely to have high-end VTRs like HDCAM decks. My guess is that the release media for these venues will be HD disks or HDV tape. Having an editing room that handles only HDV is OK.
So is HDMI a better way to bring clips into the computer than analogue component? And how does DVC100 do with fades? Do you see quantization banding in areas of mid-tone such as cloudy skies?
Alfred Guzzetti
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[Alfred Guzzetti] “So is HDMI a better way to bring clips into the computer than analogue component? And how does DVC100 do with fades? Do you see quantization banding in areas of mid-tone such as cloudy skies?”
Not that I have ever seen!
DVCProHD is the codec of choice on this forum when it comes to edit HDV. HDV is such a pain in FCP.
BUT, if you are making documentries and experimental films that don’t require alot of effects or graphics, editing HDV may be the thing for you. I do suggest that you purchase some type of capture card that will let you see the proper output of your timelines, firewire will not do this for you in HDV.
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Wayne Carey
Schazam Productions
http://www.schazamproductions.com -
One final question: when you bring in HDV via a video card, do the clips in the computer still reference the TC on the tape?
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