One last quick HDV question

[Mark Maness]

You have very valid questions. I assume this will be your first edit using HDV. Offlining DV and Onlining DVCPRO HD is very standard in this industry, right now.

The differences in the quality isn’t very much at all but DVCPRO HD is still a much better codec to work in than HDV. DVCPRO HD is a larger file size but it is true realtime editing in FCP. HDV is not. Let me explain…

To understand is to know HDV. HDV by its very exsistence is a transport stream – not an edit stream. FCP will work with HDV and edit HDV, but only if you have the biggest computer available with the fastest graphics card. FCP has to translate HDV to an edit stream of video and then convert it back to a transport stream on the fly. Which means lots of computer processing power! HDV is also a Long GOP method of recording. Meaning, for every 15 frames of video there is an I-frame of video (actual video), the other 14 frames are interpolated video frames between each I-frame. Therefore, timecode accuracy is very unlikely when redigitizing. You may hit the correct frame and you may not. This is why most everybody uses DVCPRO HD as a codec to work with. Its an I-frame codec that has full support in FCP. It works in realtime with filters just like any other codec except HDV. Overall, DVCPRO HD is much faster to edit and work with.

[Oh, and i was told that if you want frame accurate digitizing for HDV, you need to rent some kind of convertor box. Anybody know what that box is?]

Yes, you will need a converter box to do this, and I hope you have a capture card capable of HD video like Blackmagic’s Decklink HD or AJA Kona series of cards. If you’re on a real budget like me, I would suggest the AJA HD10AVA. It will convert your analog component video and analog audio to HD-SDI signal. You can then use your firewire as machine control. There are serial connectors using the LANC of your machine but this is kind of a waste since the Sony machines have very slow machine transports.

If you have any more questions about this… Just ask!

_______________________________

Wayne Carey
Schazam Productions
http://www.schazamproductions.com

[Jerry Alto]

Muresan12- An alternative workflow that has been productive for us is to digitize and edit in native HDV (if you have the mac to handle it). The size of the media files are not much bigger than DV. I would cut the show together with minimal transitions and simple graphics (stay away from filters and layered graphics). Leave slop where you want to add transitions. If you don’t have a video card you can monitor your work with FCP ‘digital cinema desktop’ (view menu). Once you have your base show edited and approved lay back to HDV native. No converter box is needed unless you want an external monitor.

Now digitize using the HD Codec of choice for final delivery (8-bit uncompressed HD, DVCPro HD, etc.) for your final edit/graphics/color correction, etc. Now you will need the converter box and a system that will handle that codecs bandwidth.

Wayne is right on with his specs on HDV. Just wanted you to know there are alternative ways to work with HDV. The key is to learn its limitations and exploit its benefits.

Hope this helps.
Jerry

G5 Dual 3GB Ram
FCP5 Studio
External 1 TB SATA Raid 0
Kona LH, Second system w AJA ioLA
Sony Z-1