[Michael Phillips]

I would copy the AVCHD file to a faster drive and connection that what you describe. File access and AMA are one of the key factors in performance. Once you do, compare the performance. Keep in mind that AVCHD is a beast to decode so you want as much speed as you can get wherever you can get it.

Michael

Michael Phillips

[Michael Phillips]

Very strange. Just as a test – can you select the offending .sync clip and transcode that to see of the .sync.new clip plays?

Thanks

Michael Phillips

[Michael Phillips]

Do any of those files play fine on their own before syncing them? You may need to uninstall/reinstall to make sure all the bits are in their right places.

Michael

Michael Phillips

[Michael Phillips]

Make sure the files are in a root folder called:

Avid MediaFiles/MXF/1

That folder should only contain the .mxf files. Also note when copying projects (or any file) from a CD/DVD that they are locked. Just “get info” or properties and be sure to allow changes and all that good stuff.

Once you launch Media Composer, it should re-index itself and link.

Michael

Michael Phillips

[Michael Phillips]

With the Avid codecs installed, you should be able to export directly to an Avid compatible codec directly when creating those QuickTimes. Seeing as it is a DVD (thus SD), you will be looking for the “Avid Meridien Compressed” or “Avid Meridien Uncompessed” in the codec list. Compressed will be more than good enough for your needs.

Michael

Michael Phillips

[Michael Phillips]

Look to the DS Caption file format supported in the SubCap effect. The MC documentation should have that spec. Very straightforward. If you can’t find it, then create two subtitles via SubCap on a V track and export DS Caption file and you can see what that looks like.

Michael

Michael Phillips

[Michael Phillips]

Perhaps the long clips are getting offsets introduced during the process. As you said, the original H.264 files aren’t that long due to the limitations of the card and the camera. Have you tried AMA’ing to those, transcode, and create you long source reel within Media Composer?

Michael

Michael Phillips

[Michael Phillips]

Ah… sorry – didn’t make that connection. What is the frame rate of the original H.264? Avid Mix & Match will always maintain original duration as there is no override preference for a frame for frame interpretation. So if you are AMA’ing into project that thinks is a different frame rate, it will get adjusted. When you AMA to the clip and edit into the timeline, is there a green dot on the clip? If so, it thinks it has a different rate between source file and project type.

Michael

Michael Phillips

[Michael Phillips]

I would forgo the interim step to ProRes and link directly to the original H.264 files and transcode to DNxHD from there. It seems that there is a frame rate mismatch in the Streamclip process and frames are being added to maintain an overall duration (driven by the audio). When it slips out of sync, is it a slow drift like 1 frame very ~40 seconds? If so, then it could be a .1% issue not being properly handled in the ProRes step.

Michael

Michael Phillips

[Michael Phillips]

If you have transcripts of the interviews, there is nothing better than ScriptSync – basically select the desired text, and edit directly onto the timeline. Once there, trim as needed. If no transcript, then Phrasefind can be a huge help when looking for particular words or sentences.

Check out the videos on avid.com

Michael

Michael Phillips