[Vic Noseworthy]

Hmmm… interesting. Thanks, Peter. So, then, does this mean it also uses only a segment of each line, too? (Otherwise, wouldn’t the ratio be off?)
Thanks again,
Vic

[Vic Noseworthy]

Thank you, again, Peter. If I could… just one more question:
Since I’m shooting in AVCHD, would I be better off using Premiere (which can natively edit that codec), or using Final Cut Pro (and ProRes)?
Two things to bear in mind:
I am talking about Premiere Pro CS4 (not CS5 or 6), since my current MacBook Pro can only run CS4.
Also, I can get Premiere Pro for around a quarter the cost of FCP7.
The latter point is not the biggest issue. Not that I have barrels of money; rather, that I want to invest in something that will solve my problem instead of just “making do”.
Note: I’ve heard that, while Premiere Pro can, indeed, edit AVCHD, but that it can also introduce considerable stuttering unless one has a really powerful computer (I’m using a MacBook Pro 2.5 GHz Core 2 Duo).
Any thoughts?
Thanks so much,
Vic

[Vic Noseworthy]

Hi John,
Thanks for your thoughts on this. You mentioned that ProRes and DNxHD are free? What do you mean? In order to utilize ProRes, I would have to invest in Final Cut Pro, wouldn’t I? (Right now I am using FCE4, and that doesn’t work with ProRes).
Thanks,
Vic

[Vic Noseworthy]

Hi John,
Thanks for your thoughts on this. You mentioned that ProRes and DNxHD are free? What do you mean? In order to utilize ProRes, I would have to invest in Final Cut Pro, wouldn’t I? (Right now I am using FCE4, and that doesn’t work with ProRes).
Thanks,
Vic

[Vic Noseworthy]

Peter,
Thank you so much for taking time to explain this. I didn’t know that all the Canon DSLRs used the same codec. As for other factors (specifically, lenses), I have a nice Canon EF 1:1.4 lens which I’ve been using almost exclusively (paid about $400 for it).
The quality issue(s) I speak of are in the final output quality (to DVD). FYI: I just got into shooting weddings.
For years, I have worked with what most refer to as “prosumer” camcorders. The Vixias are single-chip AVCHD cameras. The latest have really nice PRO sensors (only one CMOS sensor); still, they are truly amazing in low light, especially for a $700-800 camera.
I know these cameras cannot compare with, say, a 3-CCD professional camera. I thought about upgrading to one of these professional camcorders, but with all the talk about DSLRs, I decided to go that route. Plus, I absolutely love the control over DOF (I think no single factor does more to give a cinematic look than bokeh!)
Recently, I was at a wedding trade show, where I could observe my competition’s image quality as compared to mine (many competitors had their sample videos playing on, like, a 52-inch television). I’ve checked out the equipment used by most of the local wedding videographers and, almost invariably, they use professional 3-chip camcorders.
The image quality that I get with my single chip prosumer camcorders seems, to me, quite comparable to what I am getting from my T3i. In fact, as I mentioned in my original post, I was told that the cameras (T3i and Vixia) yield similar image quality. If this is true, why do I so often hear that DSLRs can be used for broadcast? Wouldn’t a 3-chip camcorder yield a “stronger” (more robust) image than a DSLR?
Here’s the difference that I see between my DSLR wedding videos and my competitors’ 3-chip camcorder wedding videos: On larger TV screens, their images are sharper and somehow look more solid than mine. By comparison, my image seems appears more jittery, whereas their image seems stable. (Think: a new VHS movie tape vs. a 5th generation copy)
As I mentioned, I do a lot composite editing. And, to tell the truth, I believe that if I stuck with simple “cuts” editing, my end product would look stronger. In essence, then, I believe it’s the compositing that is “dirtying up” my image. Yet, watch almost any TV show (eg. Entertainment Tonight) and compositing is all you see!
So, that’s why I’m wondering about where the weak link is in my workflow. Would I be better off to get a three-chip camcorder, thereby giving me a stronger image at the point of capture (i.e. one that would better hold up to the rigors of compositing)? Or, should I be thinking more about upgrading my editing codec, eg. from AIC to ProRes?
With reference to your comment that “transcoding won’t add anything”: From what I understand, AIC has less “color space” than, say, ProRes. Wouldn’t having less color space yield a more “deteriorated” composited image? (Again, think of the VHS analogy: a 5th generation copy made with high-end VCRs would likely look better than a 5th generation copy made with consumer VCRs)
I hope my question is clear enough. :^)
I really do not understand all the technology involved. I just want my picture quality to be at least as good as my competitors’.
Again, Thank You, Peter. Any additional thoughts/information/advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Vic

[Vic Noseworthy]

Hi Kay,
I currently use Final Cut Express 4 and a Canon HF M40 camera. As you may know, Final Cut Express transcodes during Log and Transfer into the Apple Intermediate Codec. I’m wondering if, by using Final Cut Pro, I would benefit from a more “robust” codec (eg. Pro-Res, or some other higher end codec). My final output is to DVD, for the wedding market, and I tend to do a fair bit of motion graphics and composite editing. I’m thinking that by using a higher end codec with which to edit that the image could better stand up to the rigors of composite editing.
In essence, what I am asking is this: Given that I am using a “pro-sumer” camcorder (the HF M40), would my composite editing stand up better using Final Cut Pro 7 (with its more robust codecs) than if I use Final Cut Express 4 (with its Apple Intermediate Codec), and hence render a better final product? Please bear in mind that the final product is DVD.
The reason I am asking this is because, given my editing style (the aforementioned highly composited editing style), I am never really happy with the final output to DVD. I like working with consumer level cameras because I can afford to buy more cameras and shoot various angles.
Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
*And, I do realize that FCP7 is no longer for sale by Apple; it is still available elsewhere, though.

[Vic Noseworthy]

Hi again!
I just did a search and found one of your previous posts, Dave. Anyways, even though I’m not exactly sure what’s changed, I seem to be able to scrub, now. I just hold down the option key while scrubbing, and it works. I’m sure I tried every combination of Alt/Command/Control/Shift keys previously, and nothing seemed to work. In any case, your post helped me!
Thanks very much!
Oh, and maybe I’m in the Twilight Zone right now, or something, but it even seems to work without having rendered the frames. Awesome… hope it keeps working. :^)
Thanks again!
Vic

[Vic Noseworthy]

Hi, again, Dave.

The closest thing (in fact, the only thing) that resembles scrubbing is when I click and hold the ‘Next Frame’ button (in the Preview window). That works pretty good, but I just wish there was a keyboard command to trigger it. I have to use the mouse and actually click on the button and hold it.

Other than that rather cumbersome ordeal, I don’t see any other way that even remotely resembles scrubbing… or, for that matter, even single frame advance. And, even when a segment has already been renedered, makes no difference.

You said, “…each frame you want to scrub must already have been rendered via RAM Preview”. It sounds like there’s a way to scrub once rendered. But I don’t see it.

Sorry about the confusion, but I really am confused. Can I ask: How do you work around it (scrubbing, I mean)?

Thank you again.
Vic

[Vic Noseworthy]

Hi Dave,
Thanks so much for your help. I’ve been looking at the link you provided, and it indicates that scrubbing is possible. Specifically, it says:
Manually preview (scrub) video and audio
To manually preview (scrub) video in the Timeline panel or go to a specific frame, drag the current-time indicator.
However, when I try it, no go. What happens is that, after I release the mouse button, the preview jumps to that frame. But, the preview doesn’t scrub (as you indicated it wouldn’t).
It’s odd that the link to the help page on Adobe’s site says scrubbing can be done. Is this a glitch with the program? Or, did I misunderstand the instructions?
Thanks again.
Vic

[Vic Noseworthy]

Thanks so much, Todd. That was very helpful, and I’ve saved it for future reference. I had a quick look but couldn’t find the specific info I’m looking for. I’ll read it in greater detail later on, as I’m currently in the middle of a project. In the meantime, have you any idea what my output settings should be when the file will be used for further post-production editing in Final Cut Express? I didn’t see an output option for AIC. Is there a similar one that will give me a good-sized file for use in that particular editing program?
Any advice you can offer is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!
Vic