[David Lewis]

Mark and Kris:

Thanks for your input. It’s great to hear how others are editing to get a handle on different techniques that apply to different projects.

One thing seems clear… the XDCAM material I edit HAS to be on my hard drive for best/quickest editing… Mark indicated that a portable firewire connected drive might be sluggish.

So far that’s great for me, as I will be importing all the XDCAM files onto an internal hard drive for editing.

Am I right to assume that having the material on an internal hard drive eliminates the need for Proxy files? Or will the Proxy files be more effective in doing an off-line cut to be redigitized in higher resolution (batch digitize, I believe) with used XDCAM material.

Another question. If I do consolidate, I make straight copy of the footage, creating new media on the hard drive. Do I change it’s codec, from XDCAM to MXF or DNxHD? If I do is there any significant quality loss?

Again, it’s terrific to hear the various styles of editing and the variety of ways problems are managed.

Thanks,
David

[David Lewis]

Hans, once again thanks for your input.

And, of course it’s lead me to another question. I was told that the DNxHD format visual keeps about the same quality as XDCAM, but is a lighter file (the quality loss is more in tech specs than visual). If I got you right this time your saying that it also effects the pixel shape. I had planned to import my material at DNxHD 185 ( or 185x… not sure what the x version is). would this work?

[David Lewis]

Hans:

Terrific info, thank you!

A couple of responses:

1) On this shoot I had planned on taking the XDCAM material shot each day off the camera card/chip (not disk) and copy it over to my EFP laptop (onto a USB connected portable hard drive). I then take that hard drive and hook it up to my edit station (PC) and transfer the files onto a hard drive for editing. What you’re telling me, if I got you right, is that this process will lose the camera information. So now when I use AMA to bring the material from my hard drive into the AVID it won’t recognize the original material location?? So if I need to re-import the material from the camera card/chip later, it won’t match up as the same source material name if I do a batch import or “relink”?

2)Consolidation is something I’m used to doing after my final edits. Saving the show with handles for any possible tweaks etc. How does consolidation at the start of a project help me? I must be missing a value to how consolidation works, as this is the second time someone has mentioned it.

Thanks for your input.

[David Lewis]

Mark, Thanks for your response.

Took me of couple of tries, but it works like a charm!

If I have a lot of XDCAM files, might this get “heavy” to edit? If so what about Proxy Files or transcoding to DNxHD files. I’m not sure how to do that using the process you showed me.

Additionally, regarding your suggestion of consolidating and transcoding- When I transcode to MFX am I saving significant file size (as compared to Proxy Media or DNxHD).

These issues are still new to me.

[David Lewis]

Terence:

Thanks for your reply and information.

If I understood you right I can get by with the original Avid Mojo for capturing Component Betacam SP material at 1:1 SD. Other analog material (DVDs, VHS or even Hi8) can be digitized as well at 1:1, though since the original material is lower quality, I’ll “get out what I put in”.

[David Lewis]

Bill:

Thanks for your reply and information.

So, if I got you right, I can digitize analog material via the Matrox Mini, but it will be to my computer hard drive, with a Matrox codec, outside the Avid program.

I can then import the media file into the Avid (MC4)for editing… Is this done w/o the need to transcode or alter the file?

[David Lewis]

I made an inquiry on the forum about using and independent I/O breakout box (like the Matrox one you noted).

On a PC, using one of these boxes, I’ve seen analog material imported into an AVID Xpress version.

Am I to understand (sorry to be a bit thick-headed here) that I cannot at all use one of these devices to digitize into the AVID (MC4)?

I understand the process may not be as smooth, but I’m just curious if it can be done at all?

An additional question. Does the AVID Mojo digitize Component (Betacam SP) material at the same compression or does it import material at DV quality?

[David Lewis]

To continue this Matrox MXO2 Mini option… can it be used to digitize material as a “non-controllable” deck option in the AVID “Capture” Mode?

I mean for the $400-$500 I’d have to spend for an older version Mojo, would this Matrox option help me out? I understand it isn’t as compatible or as “friendly” as a Mojo, but as an independent I/O breakout box, wouldn’t the AVID import my Component ( or other analog) material?

[David Lewis]

Thank you Michael.

I sort of figured that might be the case.

I do know of other I/O boxes, or video cards people have told me about that might work… but no doubt not as good as the AVID dedicated Mojo system.

It will most likely be that I’ll buy a used Mojo… simply can’t afford the SDI or DX they sell.

[David Lewis]

Thank you Joseph.

The problem is a strange one. All attempts to get my PC computer to recognize the deck via the firewire failed. A technician with me, went through the Sony J-30 model and made some adjustments… not sure if they really effected things or not.

After continued failure to have the deck recognized by the computer, I ran the deck to a friend of mine with a Premiere editing system (PC based). He had used this very same deck in the past. He too had no luck… BUT on one (and only one) instance he did get his computer to recognize the deck. All other attempts failed. Strangest thing I’ve seen in awhile. Most likely the deck has a faulty wire/connection somehow connected to the firewire.

This really screws up my work flow!