[Jeff Pulera]

I’m confused as to why a sound guy would be requesting UNCOMPRESSED video, which makes for very large files? I understand the audio should be best quality, uncompressed, but the video would just be for reference and could be a much lower quality (smaller file). How are you to deliver the files? If electronically, then the large files make even less sense.

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Jeff Pulera]

Keep the HD footage HD, in a matching HD sequence. When you export to SD, the scaling takes place there, no need to create an SD timeline first.

In AME, check the box for “Max Render Quality” and that helps with the downscale. In AME output preview window, if there are slim black bars at the sides of export video, change “Scale to Fit” to “Scale to Fill”.

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Jeff Pulera]

Hi Ryan,

RocketDVD would’ve been ideal, it did exactly what you want. Too much of a niche market though is probably why they didn’t last. Their website is still up, but does seem to be inactive. Have you attempted to call or email them just for kicks?

Just come up with a template for what you want to accomplish to streamline as much as possible and run with it.

It could certainly save you time if you can capture directly to a DVD format. The Matrox MXO2 Mini hardware offers the option to capture SD video direct to an .m2v file which can then be authored in Encore without additional rendering. This is versus capturing video, then encoding to MPEG-2 in another pass before authoring. Of course the MPEG-2 direct capture assumes NO editing will take place, just direct archiving.

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Jeff Pulera]

When the editing is completed, export via Media Encoder. Choose “MPEG-2 DVD” and for preset, “NTSC Wide Progressive”.

You’ll need to change the encoding bitrate. For 2 hours, use 4.5 average, and for min and max, maybe 3 and 7 for instance and use 2-Pass VBR encoding.

This will create two files, .m2v video and .wav audio and just Import both into Encore to author. Encore will convert the .wav to Dolby AC-3 and the video will be left alone since it is DVD-compliant already.

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Jeff Pulera]

Hi David,

Hmmm, I think now there is NOT a “PM” feature on this board, which is “Private Message”. Most boards have them, but I’m not finding it, sorry.

Use the GUI version, that provides a Graphic User Interface to work with. I know that all the options/settings will look overwhelming at first, but really only a few need adjusting, and if you put the mouse on each one, it shows down below what that thing will do.

You can contact me at jeffp at sharbor dot com

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Jeff Pulera]

I’ve seen several recommendations for a Vivitar LANC controller for under $30 (Amazon, other vendors). It does include the adapter cable for the Sony D-shaped adapter port. Is said to work well, other than the button clicks can be a bit loud. Depending on what you’re shooting, the clicks may or may not be any issue. Been meaning to order one myself to give it a try!

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Jeff Pulera]

Hi David,

Definitely download and use HC Encoder, results are far superior to Adobe for longer videos. I commonly encode stage events that are 2.5 hours or more and they come out beautiful! Is also a VERY FAST encoder.

Once you’ve created the Lagarith SD .avi file, simply create the following script in Notepad –

avisource(“filename.avi”)

Save that as a .avs file, in same folder as the .avi file resides

Open HC Encoder and Import via the text file.

If you want to PM me, I can get you some more info for specific settings for HC Encoder when I’m at the home studio. Most settings can be left alone, only a couple that really need changing (bitrate of course for one, according to program length).

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Jeff Pulera]

Hold the CTRL key while dragging Clip E to new position, this will Ripple the clips around it during the insert.

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Jeff Pulera]

Hi Craig,

60i is the same as “29.97 interlaced”, Adobe is just rounding the numbers. Interlaced video produces 29.97 frames per second (30fps rounded) and those 29.97 frames are made up of 59.94 fields and that gets rounded to 60. There you go.

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Jeff Pulera]

Hi Benjamin,

You didn’t say which platform you were using. On the Mac, ProRes is a good option. For PC, download one of the following free codecs – Lagarith, UT, or Avid DNxHD. These will provide excellent quality for “mastering” purposes.

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers