FCP 5.1.2 + HDV1080i, Sony FX1.

J

janusz

Well-known member
I am a long time DVX user, and HVX user, but somethingf has forced me to go HDV.

Can any HDV users help me out with something?

What should FCP project settings be for capturing HDV1080i footage via firewire from the camera (FX1) it was shot on, and what should the sequence settings be, to maintain highest possible image quality through to the final output (DVD)?

Once captured, is it worth it to convert the HDV footage to another format, use the Apple Intermediate codec? I am new to HDV and want to get the most from it.

Thanks...
 
Just use the Easy Setup for 1080i/60 HDV and everything is setup automatically for you. Don't forget to create a new sequence *after* you apply the Easy Setup as it does not affect existing sequences.

Noah
 
NoahK said:
Just use the Easy Setup for 1080i/60 HDV and everything is setup automatically for you. Don't forget to create a new sequence *after* you apply the Easy Setup as it does not affect existing sequences.

Noah
Click to expand...


Thanks, now what about Device Control? Should I use HDV FireWire, Sony HDV FireWire (as it is a Sony camera).
 
I would never edit HDV natively on any NLE, just a royal PITA. In FCP capture and edit with the Apple Intermediate Codec. You'll save yourself a ton of headaches, you'll lose no image quality at all, and life will treat you better.
 
BenB said:
I would never edit HDV natively on any NLE, just a royal PITA. In FCP capture and edit with the Apple Intermediate Codec. You'll save yourself a ton of headaches, you'll lose no image quality at all, and life will treat you better.
Click to expand...

i just finished an edit with native hdv phootage and i wanted the format to be destroyed.

so how do i go about using the aic codec to capture, edit and output?

thanks so much in advance benb.
 
You set your capture codec to AIC. It's an HDV specific codec, you set you capture and Sequence to that, instead of HDV. Simple as that. Capture and edit as you'd normally do. When you do a Print To Tape, it'll take some time to "Conform" itself back to the Long-GOP MPEG-2 format, but that's the one and only drawback. Otherwise, you set everything for AIC, and go to work. It's really that simple.
 
sweet deal benb. next time i go to town with hdv, i'll set myself up with some aic.

thanks dude.
 
I used the AIC process today on some test shots I did with a Sony HVR V1, works like a charm. With the V1(shot in 24p) it requires a reverse telecine in cinema tools.

Ben do you think the same process for the Canon A1 would be better than via the HDV1080/24f capture preset?
 
Last edited:
AIC is prefered over HDV, period, reguardless of camera. Canon I'm not sure about, haven't messed with any of their newer cameras. 24f is a proprietory format for Canon, and I'm not sure how FCP handles it. I'm not sure if AIC will do that well. Capture a 5 minute clip and test it out.
 
Thanks again.

I too did a test with AIC and it works great. I also find that AIC handles the blacks better... ncje and BenB, you agree or is it just my circumstances?
 
janusz said:
Thanks again.

I too did a test with AIC and it works great. I also find that AIC handles the blacks better... ncje and BenB, you agree or is it just my circumstances?
Click to expand...

Color space is the same, everything is the exact same. The only thing that changes is that every frame is an I-Frame. Does it handle blacks better? I have no technical information, nor practical experience to vouch for that. But it does edit better. Intermediate Codecs for HDV work better on all NLE's than editing native.

I wrote a very extensive article that only ended up being very partially printed. I got to speak to product mangers of all the major NLEs. In the end, they all agree that native HDV editing, aside from the ad hype, is just ef'ed.

Best of luck!
 
BenB said:
Color space is the same, everything is the exact same. The only thing that changes is that every frame is an I-Frame. Does it handle blacks better? I have no technical information, nor practical experience to vouch for that. But it does edit better. Intermediate Codecs for HDV work better on all NLE's than editing native.

I wrote a very extensive article that only ended up being very partially printed. I got to speak to product mangers of all the major NLEs. In the end, they all agree that native HDV editing, aside from the ad hype, is just ef'ed.

Best of luck!
Click to expand...

thanks benb. hdv itself is an intermediate for me. normally, i'll do SD, true HD, and film when I'm so lucky. i like to explore my options though.
 
Well I am cutting some stuff right now shot on the V1 and A1 as a side by side test. I will use the same process for the A1 and see how it goes. Thonly extra step really is the reverse telecine. Capturing in AIC sure does eat up hdd space though.

EDIT: Thats a no go with the A1 footage. As whats coming from the A1 is actually 23.98 fps, when you undertake the same process your actually speeding up the footage.
 
Last edited:
ncje said:
Well I am cutting some stuff right now shot on the V1 and A1 as a side by side test. I will use the same process for the A1 and see how it goes. Thonly extra step really is the reverse telecine. Capturing in AIC sure does eat up hdd space though.

EDIT: Thats a no go with the A1 footage. As whats coming from the A1 is actually 23.98 fps, when you undertake the same process your actually speeding up the footage.
Click to expand...

interesting.

all this talk lead to to do hdv/aic testing of my own, and seeing how it holds up to cc/effects (masks, etc) in post.

i'm gonna post something in a few days.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top