[Robert Thalheim]

From my experience quality/bandwidth with cineform is even better.
The non destructive meta data and the live functions are not seen any where else.
Like overlaying time codes, filenames, primary color correction and even video scopes. This overlays “with one click” on to the footage. Even if this material is all ready in your premiere pro timeline and edited, it will instantly show up in your project:) you can render it with all the data or turn it off by “one click”.

XDCAM EX works just fine natively with PrP. Output to cineform HD is by default 422.
But if you want to output real XDCAM EX format and structure you still need a Main Concept Pro plug in.

[Robert Thalheim]

Really?
ProRes Can be imported and used by Premiere on a Windows machine…
https://support.apple.com/downloads/Apple_ProRes_QuickTime_Decoder_1_0_for_Windows
But as usual, it is not allowed to transcode in to this format on a PC even while this is possible.
With Premiere you have options to transcode and decode Avid DNxHD or Cineform.

It might be true that a good understanding of windows makes up stable running system. With great Hardware its even better.

Work can be done on both Systems, without saying OSX is better. I have seen more kernel panics on OSX than I’ve seen bluescreens of death in my life…

[Robert Thalheim]

I worked on MacPros and Windows machines with PremierePro and After Effects. From my experience PCs are much much faster with same tech specs.
(Beside the economic facts…)
You’ll have even more features on a PC:

https://community.adobe.com/help/search.html?q=%22%28Windows+only%29%22&x=0&y=0&lbl=premierepro_product_adobelr&site=premierepro_cs5_all&hl=en_US&self=1&area=0

If you don’t want to build a PC your own I can recommend Lenevos Thinkstations too. But a HP z600 or z800 with quadro FX is a dream.

@Alex Gerulaitis, I won’t be suprised either. “PostPC era”

[Robert Thalheim]

You could stay with your MBP. But for the same price you’ll get much more power from a HP Elitebook or Lenevo Thinkpad. Just make sure to have a nVidia GPU. But as Apple Certy?

[Robert Thalheim]

Microsoft Expression Encoder works great and:

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/X264
I use it some times with MeGUI ModernEncoder https://sourceforge.net/projects/megui/

The best H.264 encoding and it is open source.
I think only CinemaCraft HD is better.
Learn how to set macro quantization and psycho trellis bit rates:)

No no I’m joking that might be much to complicated for your purpose.
Or just install a Adobe Premiere or After Effects trial. They use Main Concept H.264 in also superior quality. IF 30 Days trial is enough time for you.

[Robert Thalheim]

Yes it is possible. Before I got a video card this was my way too.
Just download the latest driver (Desktop Video 8.0.1).
https://www.blackmagic-design.com/support/

Choose your OS than ‘deck link’ than ‘studio” (for example).

After installation you’ll find the export options as well in Premiere Pro or Final Cut.

LG, Robert

[Robert Thalheim]

AE works great for web content compression!
“Don’t do your final render from AE” is just a not true.
AE is broadly used for just that.
Why installing other consumer software while having AE?

‘320xwhatever’ would be i.e.: level 2.2 when choosing H.264 codec.
But youl’ll get something like “2 and a hlaf pixels per frame” if trying to kill 5min down to 8 Mb files size.

Set at 0,8 Mbps Bitrate and 96 kbps for audio. And your file is somewhere at 35Mb File size for 5 and a half min.

So in AE chose H.264 (defaul wrapped as mp.4) than at the video tab set level 2.2 and 0,8 Mbps Bitrate.

Try lower bit rates and look if it still fits your demand.
But remeber 356*whatever… isn’t for “full screen”.

On the adobe support pages you`ll find great help on render settings for web and co.

LG, Robert

[Robert Thalheim]

Hey,

one answer I recived from BMD says “there is a known issue with speed changes in Premiere Pro. This has been logged with our developers and they are looking into this issue.”
The support asked more questions about the droped frames issue, I answered. Lets see.

I worked on several final cut suits with same deck link cards, there was no trouble…

So I’ll sell the card, exept BMD or Adobe comes up with an update.
(for <500€ [668€ new 6 months ago] still with guarantee)

LG, Robert

[Robert Thalheim]

Yo, in Berlin too.
Oky, much production fun than!

[Robert Thalheim]

Welcome Rob.

7200rpm is the minimum, ext or int.
To date my favorite is a G-Tech G-Raid 2TB for less than 300€. It has eSata, firewire etc.. and the best thing, it has two drives in hardware raid0. I had very good ones from Lacie, too. But there are many others…

Greetz, Robert