CineForm Sony XCDAM-EX support in beta (v3.2.2)

[David Newman]

It is another weekend, and time to try out a new version of CineForm's tools.

Here are some of the key changes in verion 3.2.2:

Added: Sony XDCAM-EX *.mp4 support to HDLink. This will support all the new cameras shooting modes. i.e. support for all the 1920x1080 35mbs, and all the audio modes.
Added: Count offset for HDLink split scene naming
Added: Improved cross-platform decoder threading.
Added: global controls over RAW metadata.
Fixed: Support on quad core systems for some old clips was broken.
Changed: "Force YUV" now defaults to on as too many cards couldn't support RGB overlays.

The sweet spot for XDCAM-EX support is NEO HD, or Prospect HD for Premiere, as they can directly convert the 1920x1080 modes from the new camera.

Links:
Prospect HD http://www.cineform.com/downloads/ProspectHDv322b147-071214.zip
NEO HD http://www.cineform.com/downloads/NEOHDv322b147-071214.zip
Prospect 2K: http://www.cineform.com/downloads/Prospect2Kv322b147-071214.zip
Prospect 4K: http://www.cineform.com/downloads/Prospect4Kv322b147-071214.zip
NEO 2K: http://www.cineform.com/downloads/NEO2Kv322b147-071214.zip
NEO 4K: http://www.cineform.com/downloads/NEO4Kv322b147-071214.zip
Aspect HD: http://www.cineform.com/downloads/AspectHDv522b100-071214.zip
NEO HDV: http://www.cineform.com/downloads/NEOHDVv322b147-071214.zip

[ffaf07]

I just recently asked a question almost about this specifically in this forum:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=116974&page=2

But since you're here...

What is the advantage of, let's say, on an Intel Mac, of using NEO HD over using the Prores 422 codec? Hard drive space isn't an issue.

[David Newman]

If you intend to use Apple only tools ProRES is fine, but it does have issue is tools like AE (uses the wrong colorspace and truncates to 8-bit.) And ProRES is Mac only. So if you want cross-platform and good AE support then CineForm is a good way to good for Mac users. Try the codec for 15-days, if you are interested.

[ffaf07]

If you intend to use Apple only tools ProRES is fine, but it does have issue is tools like AE (uses the wrong colorspace and truncates to 8-bit.) And ProRES is Mac only. So if you want cross-platform and good AE support then CineForm is a good way to good for Mac users. Try the codec for 15-days, if you are interested.

You seem to know a lot about the codecs, so I hope you don't mind if I pry a little bit (I haven't bought the camera, I'd really like to know what I'd be getting into.)

I don't intend to compress anything; I have my fingers crossed for a film out. Big hopes, yes, but let's say we're prepared for such a possibilty. Would my best option be to edit the film in it's native format, in FCP on a Mac Pro,without converting anything, and then exporting it as a sequence of TIFFs onto a hard drive, then taking it to a professional post house for color correction? Is there a better possibility for editing before I export a TIFF sequence, or is there even a better exporting possibility for color correction?

[Christopher Barry]

Thanks David, I can't wait to try it (P2K) sometime!