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Recommendations for file format for offline editing
Hi all
This is kind of a basic question as I set up my new suite, so hopefully this the right forum:
I am running FCSuite 2 on a MacPro Dual 2.8, 4 Gb RAM, Internal 1 Tb SATA HD as scratch disk (separate 300 Gb boot disk).
I have installed an AJA LHe card and want some recommendations as to what will make a good format/codec for offlining. Projects are finished and mastered elsewhere so I only require the best quality pics that I can, for viewing up until EDL output.
Am I right in assuming that AJA formats will give me the most benefit from the extra processing power of the capture card? In which case which format will look best and offer a good amount of real time baring in mind that media is coming off a single SATA drive?
What format do most editors edit in on FCP for offline? I am editing 25 fps PAL Digi Beta and downconverted HDCam (25P) material btw. I know it obviously all depends on the amount of material and the amount of scratch disk space available, but any thoughts/comparison of favourite formats would help me.
Thanks in advance…
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2 Replies
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For DigiBeta ProRes is a good bet. Its file sizes are smaller than 8-bit uncompressed, at 100gb hour, but it looks great. You could also go with DV50 at 26gb hour.
For your HDCAM, the most important ting I can recommend to anyone is same aspect ratio, same framerate. ProRes is good, but with only 1Tb drive you’re somewhat limited, especially because you do have to take render files into account as well.
As far as the procesing power of your KOna card, thats limited to scaling only of formats sucg as DVCProHD and HDV. They are not “accelerator cards.”
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los AngelesPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, and Indie Film & Documentary forums.
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Thanks for that David
I’ll see how I get on
Rod
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