Transcode vs native

[Andy Patterson]

There is no need to trans-code. If playback stutters only render that area of the timeline.

[Shane Ross]

AVCHD takes a LOT of system resources to play back in real time…to decode on the fly. It might be fine to go native for a short project with limited media, say a 5 minute video. But for longer projects, best to transcode. You can either convert to DNxHD and use that for the whole process (no need to go back to the highly compressed AVCHD). But this is a less compressed format therefore you’ll need larger hard drives to store it.

Or you can use the offline/online workflow…compressing to a low res proxy file for ease of editing, and then relink to the masters when you are ready to do your final color and output

Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

[Bryce Douglass]

[Shane Ross] “AVCHD takes a LOT of system resources to play back in real time…to decode on the fly. It might be fine to go native for a short project with limited media, say a 5 minute video. But for longer projects, best to transcode. You can either convert to DNxHD and use that for the whole process (no need to go back to the highly compressed AVCHD). But this is a less compressed format therefore you’ll need larger hard drives to store it.

Or you can use the offline/online workflow…compressing to a low res proxy file for ease of editing, and then relink to the masters when you are ready to do your final color and output

Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def”

thanks Shane,

My issue is I’m unable to find a format/codec that is less file size to make a proxy. I’ve tried using the proxy files built into Premiere like DNXHD etc but they are larger files than AVCHD. Do you know why that is?

It takes quicker to make a proxy file than to fully transcode to something like Cineform

Bryce

[Shane Ross]

[Bryce Douglass] “My issue is I’m unable to find a format/codec that is less file size to make a proxy. I’ve tried using the proxy files built into Premiere like DNXHD etc but they are larger files than AVCHD. Do you know why that is? “

The only DNxHD type that is a proxy format is DNxHD 36. All the rest are high res finishing formats that have higher data rates. There’s a workflow for this…

https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/using/create-clips-offline-editing.html

Adobe will encode with a different coded from DNxHD…I can’t recall what that is at the moment. But there also might be an updated way of doing this with the latest version…can’t find that at the moment. But internally in Premiere you highlight the footage and have it make proxies. And when you render out anything, any viewing copies, it links to the masters when it does that.

And yes, CIneform also is a full res finishing format.

Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

[Bryce Douglass]

[Shane Ross] “Adobe will encode with a different coded from DNxHD…I can’t recall what that is at the moment. But there also might be an updated way of doing this with the latest version…can’t find that at the moment. But internally in Premiere you highlight the footage and have it make proxies. And when you render out anything, any viewing copies, it links to the masters when it does that.

And yes, CIneform also is a full res finishing format.

Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def”

hmm, Well I’m definitely selecting a proxy file and it’s larger than the native AVCHD

Bryce

[Andy Patterson]

[Bryce Douglass] “hmm, Well I’m definitely selecting a proxy file and it’s larger than the native AVCHD”

If your computer cannot play the AVCHD codec at full resolution you can always opt to playback at half or quarter resolution. It seems like you are worried about files sizes and hard drive space when you shouldn’t have to. Trans-coding to an easier codec for playback is going to create a larger file sizes. If you opt for smaller proxies why not just view native AVCHD at 1/4 resolution?

[Bryce Douglass]

[andy patterson] “If your computer cannot play the AVCHD codec at full resolution you can always opt to playback at half or quarter resolution. It seems like you are worried about files sizes and hard drive space when you shouldn’t have to. Trans-coding to an easier codec for playback is going to create a larger file sizes. If you opt for smaller proxies why not just view native AVCHD at 1/4 resolution?”

I do run into some problems with AVCHD. Example is I have the Neat Video Noise Reduction grain filter/remover. When you apply it to any AVCHD clip it lags and freezes the timeline but if it’s Cineform it works fine. I also have experienced other effects screwing up certain clips to the point where clip 1 is actually clip 2 but only with the effect applied. Hence I would like another solution and reducing it to 1/4 playback doesn’t fix it. That’s why I was wondering if i should just render and replace my timeline rather than transcoding the whole ACVHD card folder structure. before I add effects.

In theory Proxy should work but the Proxy files are larger than the AVCHD files which make no sense to me.

Bryce

[Brent Marginet]

There are many Cameras that use very low Bit rate AVCHD so seeing Proxy Files that are larger than you original media is not surprising.

This is also why AVCHD is so difficult to playback, it’s very highly compressed.
As suggested in another Post Playback at 1/4 Res is probably your best bet especially if HD space is a problem.

\”MY MEDIA MOTO: If you think three copies of your media is enough.
Take a moment to place a value on it and then maybe add two more.
Hard Drives are now stupidly cheap. A RE-SHOOT AND YOUR TIME AREN\’T.\”

[Bryce Douglass]

As I said in the previous post AVCHD doesn’t cut it for certain affects like Neat Video etc. Even at 1/4 playback.

Bryce

[Brent Marginet]

There are many Cameras that use very low Bit rate AVCHD so seeing Proxy Files that are larger than you original media is not surprising.

This is also why AVCHD is so difficult to playback, it’s very highly compressed.
Here are you only options then.

1- Use the Proxy Files even if they are larger than the Original Media.
2- Trancode to a Larger easier to Playback Codec.

By rendering your timeline you will end up with Cache Files that are larger than you original media as well.

\”MY MEDIA MOTO: If you think three copies of your media is enough.
Take a moment to place a value on it and then maybe add two more.
Hard Drives are now stupidly cheap. A RE-SHOOT AND YOUR TIME AREN\’T.\”