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removing codec after capture
I’m capturing footage from a Panasonic DVX100B, giving me media with a DV/DVCPRO codec. Is there any advantage to using quicktime to convert these files to uncompressed 4:2:2 footage? Will it look any better? I would assume not, but I wanted to throw it out there to hear what other people have to say.
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10 Replies
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Mike
Converting to a 10 bit codec will give less banding issues if you treat or colour correct the footage, but at the expense of file size. Prores HQ is 10 bit, and keeps the files and bitrates sensible. You’ll also need faster drives for uncompressed (obviously).
Hope that helps.
Ben
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So you can actually bring the quality up from a DV/DVCPRO source? (at the expense of the file size)
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The raw footage will not be improved, no. However, greater accuracy when adjusting clips can improve the results for treated footage, for example removing some banding issues, or at least not worsening them. Let’s say you have a sunset shot, and you bring the video levels up on it. Doing that on footage that has been converted to uncompressed may yield better results, but will not remove the original banding completely – just not add to it.
DVCPro is a pretty good codec however – I’d want a good reason to move to uncompressed. It certainly won’t help with things like keying. That depends on the quality of the original, and you can never improve on that.
Ben
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Cool, thanks. I’m planning on using Apple Color to color correct, and if I remember correctly ProRes (HQ) was basically meant for that program, maybe I’ll convert to that.
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Color will render out ProRes. So you can make the switch at that point.
Matt
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[Mike Mallen] “and if I remember correctly ProRes (HQ) was basically meant for that program, maybe I’ll convert to that.”
No, ProRes is an Apple answer to the Avid codecs. It’s an editing codec that Color supports.
You can’t improve the quality of the original DV footage. All converting the footage does is give you cleaner graphics quality.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR
The new Color Training DVD now available from the Creative Cow! -
I’m of the same opinion than Walter. You don’t go to improve your footage and you will get much bigger files.
Work with the original footage and change to a better codec (8/10b, Proress,.) right before to export your final master. Then you will see some improvement.PPC G5 2x2Gh 4GbRAM/BlackMagic SD/PMBP 17″Core2Duo 4GbRAM
JVC DTV-17″/FCS2/AE CS3/COMBUSTION/SHAKE -
Are you saying that I should export with Quicktime using the ProRes HQ codec? Or convert my footage after locking the picture and reconnecting the clips with ProRes Media, then exporting as a self-contained Quicktime? Probably isn’t going to matter either way (right?), but the latter would be time consuming and disk-space consuming.
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Hi Mike,
You want to go to Color. Edit your sequence in FC in DV-DVCPro. Send to Color and render in Proress HQ. Back to FC keep your sequence in DV-DVCPro. Make all the adjustments, transitions, set your graphics etc. When everything is ready, change your sequence codec to Proress HQ and export. Before exporting, don’t forget, in the Sequence Setting, change to “High precision” and Motion Rendering: Best.PPC G5 2x2Gh 4GbRAM/BlackMagic SD/PMBP 17″Core2Duo 4GbRAM
JVC DTV-17″/FCS2/AE CS3/COMBUSTION/SHAKE -
Thanks Rafael, sounds good.
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