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XDCAM 23.98 framerate and codec conversion to ProRes 422 HQ 29.97
I have footage that was shot on the Sony EX1, as Apple XDCAM EX 1080p24. My final delivery after edit is Apple ProRes 422 HQ 1080i 29.97 drop.
I’ve searched the forum here and found that people were transcoding from a 23.98fps (whatever codec) to 29.97 (whatever codec) AFTER edit through Compressor. Is this the best workflow to achieve the best video quality, in this situation?
I understand that I have to transcode from XDCAM to ProRes 422 HQ for use in FCP, since this is my final delivery, so to avoid another transcode I should edit in the delivery codec right? Should I edit it in 23.98, then use Compressor to make the 29.97 ProRes file? Or try to do it now before edit? Keeping the “film look” is secondary at this point, I just want to maintain the best HD video quality as much as possible.
What is your preferable workflow in this situation? I’m using simple text graphics sparingly composited over the video, but it’s super simple so it’s minor, but I could be wrong. I’m more concerned about the framerate conversion and at what point during the post process it should happen.
Thanks so much from a learning editor,Mac 2.66 GHz Quad Intel Xeon
OSX 10.6.3
FCP 7.0.2
AE CS4
Quicktime Pro 7.6.4
4GB RAM
Plenty of storage
Panasonic Lumix GH1, Panasonic HVX200A, Panasonic DVX100A -
9 Replies
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Edit in 23.98 and add pulldown at the end either using Compressor or in real time during layoff with a Kona card.
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thanks for the quick response. Upon further research on this esteemed site, I found that some people were editing with the native XDCAM (after Sony’s log and transfer plugin work), go to Color in XDCAM, then output as ProRes.
Any objections to this? Or is it better to just keep everything ProRes since I’m adding some minimal text graphics?
Thanks in advance.Mac 2.66 GHz Quad Intel Xeon
OSX 10.6.3
FCP 7.0.2
AE CS4
Quicktime Pro 7.6.4
4GB RAM
Plenty of storage
Panasonic Lumix GH1, Panasonic HVX200A, Panasonic DVX100A -
I don’t edit a lot of XDcam, but when I do, I always use a ProRes timeline (with XDcam footage in it) as it seems to be a lot smoother. An XDcam timeline seems to cause weird playback and render probelms for me (althogh I’m sure some people do just fine editing XDCam). Also conform times are rediculous. ProRes, in my opinion, is the timeline codec of choice.
Send to Color, then render ProRes.
Jeremy
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Ah, I didn’t think of that. Just to make sure I fully understand you: Edit with XDCAM clips in ProRes timeline, out to Color as is, then render and output with Compressor to ProRes with the pulldown for the framerate conversion. Wouldn’t this add alot of rendering time while editing? Just curious.
Much appreciated Jeremy. Anyone else with thoughts on this situation?
Thanks in advance.Mac 2.66 GHz Quad Intel Xeon
OSX 10.6.3
FCP 7.0.2
AE CS4
Quicktime Pro 7.6.4
4GB RAM
Plenty of storage
Panasonic Lumix GH1, Panasonic HVX200A, Panasonic DVX100A -
[Joseph Hung] “Wouldn’t this add alot of rendering time while editing? Just curious. “
It’s not that bad, much better than wating for XDcam to conform and export. really, it’s not that bad, in my opinion. Try a test. Put two XDcam clips in a timeline, add an effect to each clip and a dissolve between them (or put text voer them or whatever, basically, simulate an edit). Then copy and paste those clips in to a full raster Prores TImeline with mathcing frame rate and watch the render differences.
As far aas the workflow, basically stay 23.98 all the way through Color. Then add pulldown at the very end for a 29.97 master. Does your show have to ahve specific timing? If so, you will have to account for 29.97 vs 23.98 timing.
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I agree with Jeremy.
I work almost only with EX footage; cut in a Prores sequence to export or to “Send to Color”.
Rafael -
Excellent, sold. This is my first time working with XDCAM EX footage, so your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Mac 2.66 GHz Quad Intel Xeon
OSX 10.6.3
FCP 7.0.2
AE CS4
Quicktime Pro 7.6.4
4GB RAM
Plenty of storage
Panasonic Lumix GH1, Panasonic HVX200A, Panasonic DVX100A -
Hi There,
I have footage that was shot using the Sony EX-1. It was trancoded as XDCAM EX 1080p24 35MB 23.98 but rendering and playing back in FCP is not happening. Every two frames I get the Dropped Frames dialog box.
How do I convert to ApplePro Res 422 HQ and is that that the best setting? Do I use Compressor or do I simply change the Sequence settings in the timeline to ApplePro Res 422 HQ?
Thanks for your help!
Christina
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Did you save the original media from the cards as is? I would Log and Transfer again, into the ProRes codec. Then reconnect your clips.
Mac 2.66 GHz Quad Intel Xeon
OSX 10.6.4
FCP 7.0.2
AE CS4
Quicktime Pro 7.6.4
8GB RAM
ProAvio 8TB RAID 5
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Panasonic Lumix GH1, Panasonic HVX200A, Panasonic DVX100A, Canon 5DMKII, 7D
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