[David Braswell]

While Adobe’s daily changing bundles are confusing, some people may benefit from them. I found this page buried on their site. They should really link to it from the home page. The Standard Video Collection (now Production Studio Standard) is $499. While the Professional version is $300 more. If you don’t own Illustrator, that $300 buys it as well as the extra features of After Effects Pro. That’s arguably a good deal. Keep browsing that page and plugging in other combinations and you might notice some pricing weirdness. But I hope this helps to clarify how to get from point A to B through upgrades.

[David Braswell]

If you have After Effects on the Avid computer you can export a QT reference file using the MS-DV codec.

[David Braswell]

You can install the Avid Meridian codec on your system and export as QT mov using that codec. It supports alpha channels as well and usually is quicker to import than when other codecs are used. That’s about the only advantage I’m aware of. In After Effects I don’t have the option (PC-based) to export as an OMFI directly, but perhaps the Meridian codec is what your client is asking for. Frankly, I’ve had some issues with the Avid codec. I usually export (graphics) as QT Animation.

[David Braswell]

Control (or Apple on a Mac) + J will copy a layer in place. If you make a selection first, then only the portion you select is copied to a new layer. No shifting, no nudging pixels in place till they line up 🙂

Cheers

[David Braswell]

The digitizing, editing, exporting workflow of nonlinear editors offers numerous opportunities to mishandle footage and settings. From your general description it’s hard to tell what’s breaking. Assuming your footage has been digitized successfully into the Avid (meaning it looks and sounds fine playing from a sequence timeline), your export to Encore workflow should be similar to this.

1-Edit your program and render ALL effects.
2-Duplicate the sequence. The remaining steps need to be completed on a duplicate so you can re-edit if you have to.
3-Set IN and OUT points that include the amount of black you’d like on the head and tail of the program.
4-Mixdown all video layers to a single video track, and mixdown all audio layers to a single pair of tracks.
5-Delete all remaining tracks. At this point you should have 2 audio tracks and 1 video track. Delete any filler in front of and after your mixed-down sequence.
6-Select the entire sequence IN to OUT and highlight all three tracks.
7-Export your sequence as a QT reference file (native dimensions as far as I remember, 16bit, 48k audio).
8-Import the reference mov into Encore (MUST BE VERSION 1.5 at least) where it will prompt you for transcode settings immediately. I’ve had good results using a constant bit rate, 7Mbs setting. You may have to customise one to get the resuilts you want.

This is what works for me. Hope it helps.

[David Braswell]

Redactions & apologies here. I missed the “Dual Core Systems” specs the first time I read through BM’s support page. We’re only using the SP card on a SuperMicro board. I stand corrected 🙂

[David Braswell]

Personally, I would try a black background… something like velvet or duveteen. Assuming a high-key or brightly colored subject, you’ll get more contrast and a better chance that the black alpha channel will truly disappear. Sounds wicked fun!

[David Braswell]

We have recently (within last week) built an XP based DL SP system. We followed the recommended specs to the letter. Bernardo, I feel I should point out that your motherboard is not listed as a tested, acceptable board to use with the Decklink series of cards.

Now, we’re having a frame dropping issue that we’re trying to sort out. Just goes to show that there are no guarantees. But I think starting with approved components is absolutely necessary. That way the variances between systems is reduced somewhat. That is an area where Mac has a definite advantage. And I don’t want to move back to the Apple platform!

[David Braswell]

If you export your movies with an alpha channel, any artwork in the composition that has an alpha channel will retain that alpha channel. I think I understand your request, but from what you’ve written it sounds like you’re looking for a hollographic projection. AE won’t do that and normal video projectors won’t either. Your art may have a transparent background, but unless you place it over another background the art will just appear to be on black. Apologies if I’ve misinterpreted you.

[David Braswell]

As Shane suggested, the simplest way is to hook your DVD player’s outputs to the Avid’s inputs and capture as a regular video source. You can use either S-Video or component (depends on your DVD’s outs). In the capture window, uncheck the TC (timecode) button and toggle the source icon (the deck looking thing) so that it’s off. While others have had luck ripping and converting DVD video directly, I think you’ll achieve the same (or better) results just loading from your player.