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Why use Blackmagic codec with FCP?
Sorry, I posted this to the decklink forum with no response. Apologies.
Please excuse my ignorance. This might end up being a long thread. I have lots of questions but I’ll just start with a couple. =)
I am new to this system.
We just bought a couple of blackmagic extremes + FCP HD (moving to FCStudio soon).In FCP I just found out that I can change my sequence settings in FCP to allow it to play whatever QT variant in realtime (DV, Uncompressed etc.).
This leads me to ask 2 questions.#1 Whats the point of the Blackmagic Codec?? In my previous Edit + Targa based system. The machine had to convert anything you had into its own proprietory mjpeg format which allowed it to work in realtime. I assumed from the beginning that that was what the blackmagic codec was for – realtime editing. Now I see that I can do it with DV etc. So whats the codec for?
#2 If I have several clips in different QT formats (DV, Sorenson etc.) can I play them all back in the same timeline in realtime? What are my options?
Apologies for my ignorance.. more to come. =/
Thanks.
Steve. -
2 Replies
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I saw the post and thought I replied. Guess I didn’t.
Basically, Apple didn’t always provide uncompressed codecs for use with Final Cut. And until just now with Final Cut 5, they didn’t provide HD versions of it. That’s the main reason why Blackmagic provided their own. In fact, their codec was made for the AJA Kona cards, before Blackmagic started making their own Decklink cards.
If you’re working from YUV 4:2:2 source and finish (Digibeta for example), then it doesn’t matter which one you use as far as quality is concerned. The end result is the same. Actually, Blackmagic reccomends the Apple codec because you get more RT effects. Blackmagic’s own Easy Setups actually use the Apple codec, not their own. However, when converting from an RGB codec or a YUV 4:1:1 source (like DV), then the Blackmagic codec is known to be much better at converting the color space by reducing the blocky artifacts that are typically created from that process. Check out OneRiverMedia.com for detailed info on this.
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[Steve Lim] “#2 If I have several clips in different QT formats (DV, Sorenson etc.) can I play them all back in the same timeline in realtime? What are my options?”
Nope. Only CineWave was able to play back just about all formats of video in one timeline.
I’ve heard some folks are able to maybe mix one format in realtime if you have a very fast system. But for the most part, you need to have one format in one timeline.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Creative Genius, Biscardi Creative Media
https://www.biscardicreative.comNow in Production, “The Rough Cut,” https://www.theroughcutmovie.com
“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters
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