How do I import Panasonic P2 Media in to Avid

[Joe Womble]

Yes, no problem at all. I do both with MC Soft on a PC laptop with few problems, so you should be good to go with your setup.

Regards,

Joe Womble

[Rory Keenan]

Thanks for the insight.
It sounds like if I transcode to DNxHD there would be no need to work in low resoloution (for space or performance issues) . . . Is that correct??

If I trascode the raw footage to DNxHD what does the work flow look like?

1) I import the clips to a bin

2) watch the footage (media is still on external hard drives) and make selects.

3)??????? At this point you usually then Import P2/Media . . . . but if I’m transcoding what do I do???

Is transcoding to DNxHD much more time consuming than importing the media to local drives in native DVCPRO-HD resoloution??

Also if I’m working in DNxHD what format and frame rate do I select when creating the initial project (the footage was shot in 24p frame rate)??

[Joe Womble]

Rory,
Import the clips like you normally do.

To use the Transcode option:

1. Select a clip or sequence in a bin.

2. Select Clip > Consolidate/Transcode.

If you have any compressed audio (MP2 audio) in the clip or sequence you selected to consolidate or transcode, a message appears informing you that selected items contain MP2 audio and cannot be consolidated or transcoded. You should relink this MP2 audio to an uncompressed audio format. If you do not relink to an uncompressed audio format, the selected clip or sequence with the MP2 audio is skipped.

3. Select Transcode in the upper left corner.

4. In the Target Drive(s) area, select a drive or drives.

5. In you are an Interplay environment, with Dynamic Relink enabled, select whether or not to create new master clips for the transcoded media. (For more information, see Understanding How Clips and Media Are Associated).
6. Click the Target Video Resolution menu, and select a video resolution. If your project uses an HD resolution, you cannot select OMF as a file format. MXF is selected by default.

7. Select the appropriate options, as described in Transcode Options.

8. Click Transcode in the lower right corner.

The application creates new media files and clips, according to your selections.

It takes a while if you have a lot of clips, but it’s not too time consuming. You should be able to do this routine with all of your Avid HD project frame rates.

Regards,

Joe Womble

[Job Ter burg]

Joe wrote: “The file size for DNxHD video is not much larger than DV”
That does not appear to be true. DNxHD is around 1.2 min/GB whereas DV does 5 min/GB. DVCPRO HD also does around 1.2 min/GB.

[Job Ter burg]

Your software will handle the HD formats, but you won’t have HD outputs on your Adrenaline BOB, unless it has the optional HD I/O board.

[Mark]

Sorry not to get back into the conversation earlier… I like to use DNX for the aforementionned reasons, also when I want to go out to After Effects I can use a QT reference…my experience with AE and DVCPROHD have not been all that great.

I also edit on Nitris classic (Symphony) at work and will get into DNXHD as soon as possible to take advantage of the hardware. I also edit at home on MC SOFT and have found that DNX plays beautifully on my system in full res mode.

Regards
Mark

Mark Harvey
Senior Editor
Le Réseau des sports

[Joe Womble]

Job,

Ah, yes, you are correct, for DNxHD 145 and 220 (which is what most people will use). In fact, DNxHD uses 145 and 220 MB/sec, respectively, versus DVCPROHD’s 100 Mb/sec.

DNxHD 36, on the otherhand, still samples at 4:2:2 and only uses (can you guess?) 36Mb/sec. 36 is for progressive sources only, but for Rory’s 24p project, it may be just the ticket.

I was thinking about the 20% less storage needs for DNxHD versus uncompressed ITU-R BT.601. Thanks for the clarification.

Regards,

Joe

[Job Ter burg]

Joe wrote: “DNxHD36 is for progressive sources only, but for Rory’s 24p project, it may be just the ticket.”
I would have to disagree.
First, DNxHD36 is an offline resolution. Going from DVCPROHD to DNxHD36 seriously reduces the data. OK for offline, but – in principle – I would not recommend it for finishing. And I would not recommend using the offline-online path for P2 media. To me, it just feels like too much of a risk.
Second, DNxHD36 is 1080p only, and Rory mentioned 720.

[Joe Womble]

Job,

I agree with you that the 36 resolution is not for finishing, but more for “dalies” or off-lining.

I had suggested that for Rory since he was interested in “…importing (or converting) to a low resolution for off line to save drive space and improve performance…”

I’ve used it successfully, but upon reflection, the project was 1080 and not 720. I hope these limitations are addressed by Avid soon!

As to your comment on the P2 path for media, what is your workflow? I try and backup everything to a spare drive that I label and shelve, but I don’t feel it’s a perfect solution.

Regards,

Joe Womble

[Rory Keenan]

Thanks for everyone’s help.
I have several new questions.

Can I tell what Frame Rate/Format the footage was shot in?
I was told the footage was shot in 720p/24pn
I created a project that is 720p/23.976.
When I look at the “Clips to Bin” import, the heading for Video=HD720p/60 . . . huh???
Does this mean the footage was actually shot in 720p/60 frame rate???

Can I mix frame rates within a project . . . or a sequence?????
It may be that some of the footage was shop 24pn and some shot 60p.
If that is the case can I mix the frame rates?
Do I need to Transcode to get the footage all the same??
Can I transcode within the Avid . . . . . or do I need to use other software (such as Raylight MXFX)???
Any tips??

Why don’t I have different Transcode options??
I select imported clips and go to Clip/ Transcode-Consolidate . . . . I then select “Transcode” . . . But under “Target Drive Resoloution” it only gives me one option: “DVCPRO”, the same codec the clips were shot in

What is a good Low Resoloution . . . and work flow for Up-Res on the Final Sequence???
If I decide to work in a lower resoloution (for drive space and performance) does anyone have a suggestion for a resoloution to work in???
What is the work flow (Import Clips to Bin / Transcode)??
Then what is the work flow for re-linking the final sequence to the HiDef Full resoloutin media??

What if I want to deliver in Uncompressed HD???
The director wants to deliver in uncompressed HD (90 min Documentary film).
How do I do this? . . . . . Do I cut my sequence then Transcode the Final Sequence??
What if I decide to off-line in a Lower resoloution??