Media100i SDI

[Gerry Condez]

I hope its not too much to ask, but if you can point me to the right direction to what codec as you mentioned “AE render settings are not correct, since files rendered from AE into the Media 100 codec should import very quickly (seconds, not minutes)”, I’ll be truly happy and be able to try additional effects with AE7 on location. Thanks in advance. -Gerry

[Gerry Condez]

Hi Floh,
Sorry, Its me again. This is regarding your earlier post about this:

Floh: “FCP only lets you capture HDV over FireWire into the HDV codec. In Media 100, you can select e.g. Media 100 i codec or ProRes for capturing HDV over FireWire, which would give you more realtime effects. No need to go in over SDI or Component there.”

Question: Are you pertaining to HDV being captured to Media100i through firewire with the right codec?
I remember trying to connect an HDV through M100i firewire but there was no video and audio. I dont have the Media 100HD yet.

Thanks – Gerry

[Floh Peters]

[Gerry Condez] “I hope its not too much to ask, but if you can point me to the right direction to what codec as you mentioned “AE render settings are not correct, since files rendered from AE into the Media 100 codec should import very quickly (seconds, not minutes)”, I’ll be truly happy and be able to try additional effects with AE7 on location. Thanks in advance. -Gerry”

There are two different parts: your AE render settings (with the hardware codec or software codec). If they are not set up correctly, the importing of the file rendered from AE into Media 100 will take long. Make sure your composition settings are correct (720*486 or 640*480 for NTSC), and your codec is set correctly in your AE output module as well (to either Media 100 NTSC for 640*480 or to Media 100 NTSC 720 for 720*486 compositions). Then files rendered from AE should import quickly into Media 100 (seconds, not minutes).

The other part is the use of the Media 100 software codec outside Media 100 itself. In Media 100 i, you have to use the hardware codec, which is okay. But for 3rd party apps like QuickTime Player and AE you can use the software codec. I found an old tutorial that I have written some years ago about how to work with the software codec under Media 100 i. Note, that you now again can download the software codec as a standalone download from media100.com, without the need to download the full install of Media 100 HD (as it is named in the instructions).

Here is the old instruction:

HOW TO INSTALL THE SOFTWARE CODEC ON A MEDIA 100 I SYSTEM UNDER OSX (you need an Administrator name and password to perform this action).
1. UNINSTALL OF THE MEDIA 100 i HARDWARE CODEC

To remove the Media 100 i hardware codec first quit all running OSX applications.
In the Finder, navigate to the root level of your startup harddisk. There, open the “Library” folder and open the “QuickTime” folder within that “Library” folder.
In the QuickTime folder there should be several items, including one named “Media100 Codec.component”. This file is needed for QuickTime-based Applications to access the hardware codec on the P6000 board. To disable the hardware codec, drag the “Media100 Codec.component” file to the Trash. If you are not logged in as an Administrator the Finder will ask for identification as a Administrator. Enter your Administrator name and password into the dialog box.

2. INSTALL THE SOFTWARE CODEC

Download the Media 100 HD V10.1 update from this link:
https://support.media100.com/KBSearch/KBDocument.aspx?id=376 Depending on your Browser settings the downloaded file should unzip automatically. If it does not unzip, double-click the downloaded file in the Finder.
A Disk-Image named Media 100 HD 10.1 will be mounted. An installer named “Media 100 Codecs Install” is located inside this disk image. Run this installer. When asking for authentication, enter your Administrator name and password. Read and accept the License Agreement. In the next window, click “Install” to install the Media 100 i, 844/X and HD software codecs.
Now you are able to use the Software codec inside QuickTime-based applications like AfterEffects and Compressor as you did before with the hardware codec. The codec still be named “Media 100 NTSC, Media 100 NTSC-720, Media 100 PAL and Media 100 PAL-720 as with the hardware codec, and all your AE render presets will be intact. Unlike the Software Transcoder, the software codec will allow to read and write native Media 100 i files with and without Alpha channels exactly the same way the hardware codec does.
You will notice a big performance increment compared to the hardware-based codec, and you will see less conflicts when rendering into Media 100 i codec inside AfterEffects. You even can render in AfterEffects in the Background while continuing to work in Media 100 i in the foreground.

[Floh Peters]

[Gerry Condez] “Question: Are you pertaining to HDV being captured to Media100i through firewire with the right codec? “

Actually I was referring to HDV to Media 100 (V13 or Media 100 Suite); anyway, if you have the DV option on your Media 100 i system, and if your HDV player can downconvert to DV over FireWire (many players/cameras can do that), you could acquire from HDV over FireWire/DV into Media 100 i into the Media 100 i codec.

Since you do have an FCP/Kona3 system, you can install the trial version of Media 100 Suite software there and give it a try, using the Kona card and the FireWire inputs. Media 100 and FCP live happily together on the same system.

[Gerry Condez]

Hi Floh,

[Floh]: “Since you do have an FCP/Kona3 system, you can install the trial version of Media 100 Suite software there and give it a try, using the Kona card and the FireWire inputs. Media 100 and FCP live happily together on the same system.”

Thanks for the help. I spoke with Matt at Media100 quite some time about this upgrade. They got some very good deal that time and I guess I missed it. I have taken little steps regarding taking a big leap toward HD. It also concern about the existing software I have that will work (still) when I upgrade to Leopard also budget. My system all runs with OS 10.4.11 and cant meet the new Media100HD requirements. Not even sure if AE7 would work. I can get the trial version but might render all my older applications useless. My Kona3 too is a pci-x version and even when I upgrade to a faster computer it wont work. Do you have any recommendations?

Media100 is great in cutting work with tight deadlines, which happens to me all the time. I know that My Media100i system cant do much filters so my approach is to shoot HDV cameras with Letus mini adapters in order to avoid rendering effects and have a different look in video. Incase they want more then I use the MBLooks in AE7.

I built the system already and running Final Cut Studio 2/Kona 3X and pushed clients to get HD, 2 years not even one request yet. I dont do commercials but weddings. I decided to shoot everything now in HDV and deliver in SD-DVD’s. in case they want HD, I have the material anyway.

I will finish my Media 100i setup for now and hopefully see you around in Media100 HD very soon.
I have Matt’s cell number and told me call him anytime.

Thank you very much, my apologies for tons of my off topic stuff here in this post. – Gerry

[Gerry Condez]

Thanks Floh,
From 20 mins to secs. Youre d best! I will hate to be Flohless!!! Keep it Flouwing!!!
Gerry