[Dean Fragola]

Hi Michael,
Thanks for the advice.
So I want to go with Constant Bit Rate (as far as the best quality)?
I’m going to try and do this on an older version of Sorenson Squeeze.
Dean

[Dean Fragola]

Thanks!
I think the key was, like you mentioned, selecting the AVID Codec.
And actually, when I then when to import the newly made conversion into my 24p project, an options box came up asking me if I wanted to keep it in it’s original frame rate or to have Avid convert it to the frame rate of my current project …
So I think I’m in pretty good shape here.
Thanks again!

[Dean Fragola]

Maybe you can help me with the settings? … as I’m able to make a format conversion that AVID is accepting, but it has a “jerky stutter type motion” to it … and I’m assuming that that’s because my sequences is in 24p and I’m probably bringing in a 30 frame rate clip …
I tried changing the conversion setting to 24fps, but that isn’t solving the problem …
Can you think of any other settings / adjustments that I should try while making the conversion?
Thanks.
Dean

[Dean Fragola]

Hey Paddy,
Thanks so much! I’m not sure if I did it right, but I went with the DV25 conversion option.
Thanks again.
Dean

[Dean Fragola]

Thanks guys, as you have all been incredibly helpful.
So where do I get a good deal on these HP Z800 systems? Do I have to get it custom built with certain specs?
And then I have to buy Media Composer from scratch (since I’m now not just upgrading Xpress Pro on my old system, right)?
And then what do I do with all this (hundreds of hours) of media and projects on my current system? … use transfer cables to load all of this into the entirely new computer system?
Thanks.

[Dean Fragola]

I really appreciate the advice … as I now realize that I do indeed need to go with a new system. Any idea what a decent system would run me? As I looked up some custom AVID system and I almost fell off my chair as they were starting in the $8,000 range.

“DreamStation-MC32 for AVID Media Composer

…starting at $7995…

Take a look at this system if your want the fastest rendering available, and and large amounts of RAM. You can add up to 128GB of RAM with this system for incredible performance with large files.”

[Dean Fragola]

Hey Pat,
Thanks for the advice.
Is there anyway I can just “gut” this computer and put in a new processor, Windows 7, and new video & sounds cards? As my concern is how to do get hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of hours of video as well as thousands of pics onto a new computer at this point?
And my other question is, once I upgrade AVID from Xpress Pro to Media Composer, it is such a jump in technology that Media Composer then won’t even find all my files, media and projects that I currently have on my hard drives in Xpress Pro?
Thanks.

[Dean Fragola]

Hi Glenn,
I appreciate the help … as well as the possible good news that I can indeed update my AVID even though it’s like 7 years old.
Like I mentioned, I’m a writer/director, so computer specs are not my forte, but I just looked up the stats on the system here and it’s AVID Xpress Pro 2003.v.4.0
4G ram
Intel Pentium4 – 3.4Ghz Ext. Ed (800MHz) 2MB L2 Cache
Based on that, do you think my system could handle Avid Media Composer?
Will I need to get a new video card (conducive to HD content)?
And again, I know I sound rather ignorant in regards to computer jargon, but how do I actually “upgrade”? … just buy Media Composer and then install in right over Xpress Pro? … and if so, what then happens to all the pics, files, media, effects, segments, sounds, etc that are currently in the bins of my Xpress Pro software? … I have to try and find a way to save all that media somewhere, and then re-load everything into the newly installed Media Composer?
Thanks so much for your help.